• Slated for bulk relief
    Ortiz is in line to serve as a bulk reliever in Friday's game versus the Rays, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

    Advice: Carmen Mlodzinski will open for the Pirates before handing things off to Ortiz. Each of Ortiz's last two appearances have come in bulk relief and he's fared well, yielding just one run with a 6:1 K:BB over 9.1 innings of work. Rotowire.com 10 minutes ago
     
  • First loss despite solid outing
    Nittoli (0-1) took the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing an earned run on a solo home run and recording two strikeouts over two innings.

    Advice: Nittoli paid dearly for his one mistake, a tie-breaking solo home run surrendered to Bobby Witt in the eighth inning. The Athletics would prove incapable of erasing the one-run deficit in the final two frames, saddling Nittoli with his first major-league loss in 13 career outings. Despite the stumble Thursday, Nittoli has been a solid bullpen piece for manager Mark Kotsay since being summoned from Triple-A Las Vegas in early June, posting a 2.25 ERA across eight innings over seven appearances. Rotowire.com 14 minutes ago
  • Opening Friday's game
    Mlodzinski will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher in Friday's game versus the Rays, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: It's the third opener assignment this season for Mlodzinski, who didn't allow a run in his first two tries. Luis Ortiz is a good bet to follow in a bulk relief role. Rotowire.com 23 minutes ago
  • On way back to Minnesota
    The Twins will recall Funderburk from Triple-A St. Paul prior to Friday's game in Oakland, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

    Advice: He'll take the roster spot vacated by Jay Jackson, who has been designated for assignment. Funderburk has struck out 14 and allowed just one run over eight innings with St. Paul since being optioned last month. Rotowire.com 32 minutes ago
  • Optioned to Triple-A
    The Blue Jays optioned Burr to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

    Advice: He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Yariel Rodriguez, who is coming off the injured list and expected to start Friday's game in Cleveland. Burr has permitted three runs (two earned) over 3.2 frames out of the Toronto bullpen this season. Rotowire.com Today, 7:57 am
     
  • Allows three homers in no-decision
    Wilson did not factor into the decision in Thursday's loss to the Padres, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings while striking out five.

    Advice: Wilson failed to retire five of the first seven batters he faced to open the contest, surrendering back-to-back homers to Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill in the first to put the Brewers in an early 4-1 hole. The right-hander would settle in over the next three frames before coughing up another long ball in the fifth. It was Wilson's first time this season in which he allowed multiple home runs in a start and he's now given up at least five runs in two of his last three outings. He's also walked multiple batters in three consecutive starts. Rotowire.com Today, 5:32 am
     
  • Hangs on for 25th save
    Helsley picked up the save over the Giants on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk over one inning while striking out two.

    Advice: Helsley took over in the ninth to protect a one-run lead and proceeded to walk the leadoff man while also coughing up a single three batters later. However, the right-hander rebounded nicely, striking out Matt Chapman to stop the late rally and earn his league-leading 25th save of the season. Helsley has now converted each of his last four save opportunities, though he's also issued at least one walk in three consecutive outings. Rotowire.com Today, 5:11 am
  • Picks up win despite shaky outing
    Pallante (3-3) picked up the win over the Giants on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings while striking out five.

    Advice: Pallante cruised through the first two innings before failing to retire four of the first five batters he faced in the third, leading to three runs coming home for San Francisco. The right-hander would get tagged for another two runs in the sixth, marking the second time in his last four that he's coughed up at least five runs. Pallante also matched his season high with three walks and failed to make it through six innings for the fourth-consecutive outing. Despite those struggles, he's now won three of his last five starts. Rotowire.com Today, 5:01 am
  • Posts quality start Thursday
    Spence allowed two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings in a no-decision against Kansas City on Thursday.

    Advice: Spence was victimized by Kansas City catcher Freddy Fermin, who who belted a pair of solo homers against him. However, Spence fared well against the remainder of the Royals lineup and finished with his second quality start of the campaign despite the two long balls he surrendered. Spence's seven strikeouts Thursday were a career-best mark and well above his season norm -- he entered the contest with either three of four punchouts in each of his previous six outings. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:53 pm