MLB Player News

Blanco (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the White Sox, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings.

Blanco was hurt by the long ball Sunday as he threw 55 of his 85 pitches for strikes. After walking the leadoff hitter in the first inning, he surrendered a two-run homer to Munetaka Murakami. Miguel Vargas took him deep for another two-run shot in the sixth. Both of Blanco's starts since returning to Houston have featured multiple home runs allowed and three walks, though he has also piled up 12 strikeouts across 10 innings. The right-hander is scheduled to make his next start Saturday on the road against the Rangers.

The Athletics acquired Blewett from the Cardinals on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

After being designated for assignment by St. Louis a few days earlier, Blewett will recapture a 40-man roster spot as he moves on to Sacramento. The right-hander has produced a 5.18 ERA and 1.68 WHIP with 63 strikeouts over 48.2 innings in 37 appearances with Triple-A Memphis this season and tossed two scoreless innings in his lone outing at the big-league level. Blewett doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he'll join the Athletics bullpen right away.

The Pirates traded Urquidy traded to the White Sox in return for minor-league right-handed pitcher Felix Doroteo on Sunday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh on Friday, and he has now quickly found a new home with the White Sox. The 31-year-old posted an inflated 8.53 ERA and 2.68 WHIP with six strikeouts over 6.1 innings in five appearances with the Pirates this season. Urquidy has had more success at the Triple-A level, registering a 3.53 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 77 punchouts over 18 starts with Triple-A Indianapolis. It's unclear if Urquidy will join Chicago's major-league roster or if he'll report to Triple-A Charlotte, but he is a member of the team's 40-man roster regardless.

Cruz secured the save Sunday against the Tigers, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Closer Alex Lange was presumably getting Sunday off after picking up the save Saturday against Detroit, allowing Cruz to get a save opportunity. Cruz does have his two saves for the season in his past three appearances, so he at least appears to have worked his way into Kansas City's high-leverage mix along with Lucas Erceg, Matt Strahm and Daniel Lynch. Through 37 innings, Cruz has a 4.62 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 45:17 K:BB.

Hurter (spine) threw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Hurter is working his way back from lumbar spine inflammation, which has kept him on the shelf since May 24. He's eligible to come off the 60-day injured list at any time but will likely need to complete a rehab assignment prior to being reinstated.

The Mariners optioned Davila to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Davila allowed a run over 1.1 innings during Saturday's game against the Rangers and will now head to Triple-A in favor of a fresh bullpen arm. The 27-year-old rookie has a 3.57 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 22.2 innings this year, though his 9:11 K:BB paints a less-encouraging outlook of his performance.

The Mariners recalled Hoppe from Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

The rookie right-hander has spent the past month in the minors but will rejoin the Mariners ahead of Sunday's series finale at Texas. Hoppe has a 6.38 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 26:10 K:BB across 24 innings in the majors this year.

The Astros optioned Teng to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Teng was activated from the injured list in mid-July after missing a few weeks due to a knee sprain, but Houston elected to demote him after just two appearances, during which he gave up two runs on three hits with a 4:2 K:BB and four hit batsmen across 4.1 innings. The right-hander pitched to a 2.19 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 8.8 K/9 through his first 17 outings of the year, but he has a 6.89 ERA across his past eight appearances (31.1 innings).

Baker earned the save in Sunday's 1-0 victory over the Guardians, tallying a strikeout and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning.

Baker is up to 28 saves (in 31 chances) this season, good for the second most in the majors. The right-hander has been stellar of late, allowing just one run in his last 22 innings. Baker's ERA now sits at a sparkling 1.56 across 40.1 innings this season with a 0.84 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB.

The Astros recalled Ullola from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Houston demoted Kai-Wei Teng to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen for Ullola, who will join the big club for the second time this season after striking out seven over four scoreless innings in two appearances during his first stint in the majors. Ullola had earned his way back to Houston after striking out nine over 5.1 perfect innings in his last six relief outings at Sugar Land.