Daily Clips

September 2, 2017

LOCALRoyals hang on in 9th, gain ground on TwinsSept. 2, 2017 By Rhett Bollinger and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/251859620/royals-hang-on-in-9th-gain-ground-on-twins/

Moose matches Royals' mark with 36th HRSept. 2, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/251877022/mike-moustakas-36th-homer-ties-royals-mark/

Cahill comes off DL among KC's movesRoyals claim Gaviglio, recall Gallagher, Mondesi, Gore, OrlandoSept. 1, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/251840008/royals-make-moves-as-rosters-expand/

Royals look to close Wild Card gap vs. TwinsSept. 1, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/251859256/royals-looking-to-close-wild-card-gap-vs-twins/?topicId=26688836

Royals’ Moustakas clubs record-tying blast in 7-6 victory over the TwinsSept. 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170916372.html

Kelvin Herrera left with arm problems again. Here’s how Scott Alexander saved the daySept. 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170936882.html

Catching Balboni: Royals’ Mike Moustakas ties franchise record for homers with No. 36 in MinnesotaSept. 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170890837.html

This Royals pitcher from Cuba never thought he’d see the major leagues againSept. 1, 2017 By Maria Torres/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170838207.html

Royals add two new pitchers in flurry of roster movesSept. 1, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170778302.html

Royals GM shows his true mettle amid turbulence and decisions gone awrySept. 1, 2017 By Vahe Gregorian/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article170815272.html

MINORSCubs Top Chasers 5-4 In Front of 7,579Torres clubs 2-run homer as Omaha falls in series openerSept. 1, 2017 By Andrew Green/Omaha Storm Chasershttps://www.milb.com/storm-chasers/news/cubs-top-chasers-5-4-in-front-of-7579/c-251935968/t-196093384

Drillers Beat Naturals, Move Closer to Second-Half TitleTulsa needs only one win in final three games to clinch playoff berthSept. 1, 2017 By Tulsa Drillershttps://www.milb.com/drillers/news/drillers-beat-naturals-move-closer-to-second-half-title/c-251932248/t-196093322

Blue Rocks Drop Series Opener to HillcatsRocks Can't Keep Pace with LynchburgSept. 1, 2017 By Wilmington Blue Rockshttps://www.milb.com/blue-rocks/news/rocks-cant-keep-pace-with-lynchburg/c-251936790/t-196097164

Hagerstown wins on Corredor's walk-off hitSept. 1, 2017 By Lexington Legendshttps://www.milb.com/legends/news/hagerstown-wins-on-corredors-walk-off-hit/c-251909502/t-196097274

MLB TRANSACTIONSSeptember 2, 2017 •.CBSSports.comhttp://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

LOCALRoyals hang on in 9th, gain ground on TwinsSept. 2, 2017 By Rhett Bollinger and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/251859620/royals-hang-on-in-9th-gain-ground-on-twins/

Mike Moustakas tied the Royals' franchise record for homers in a season with his 36th blast and Brandon Moss added a two-run shot to lift the Royals to a 7-6 win, while ending the Twins' four-game winning streak on Friday night at Target Field.

With the loss, the Twins remain in the second AL Wild Card spot and are one game back of the Yankees for the first Wild Card. Kansas City is 3 1/2 games back of Minnesota.

"That's a huge win," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "We needed it. Big win."

Former Royals right-hander Dillon Gee started for the Twins but he struggled, allowing five runs -- all in the third inning -- over 2 2/3 innings. Moustakas provided three runs with his homer in the third, which tied him with Steve Balboni (36 in 1985) for the club mark. It also extended Moustakas' hit streak against the Twins to 17 games, which is the longest active streak in the Majors against any opponent.

"I've been telling you guys the whole time, I'm not really thinking about [the record] too much," Moustakas said. "You know, maybe once it got to 35 it started creeping in my head a little bit. That's when I started trying to do a little bit too much. Tonight, I was kind of relaxed. I just tried to put a good approach together."

Royals right-hander Jason Hammel picked up the win after surrendering four runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings. He ran into trouble early, allowing a two-run homer to Jorge Polanco in the first, but he settled down from there. Polanco added a sacrifice fly in the third and Kennys Vargas knocked Hammel from the game with a one-out RBI single in the seventh.

The Twins made it interesting with two runs in the ninth against closer Kelvin Herrera. Joe Mauer plated two runs on a two-out single with the bases loaded after second baseman Whit Merrifield opened the inning with an error. Herrera left the game with lower forearm tightness while facing Polanco on a 3-0 count and left-hander Scott Alexander was brought in. After he walked Polanco to reload the bases, Alexander struck out Eddie Rosario to end the game and pick up his second save.

"It was a good fight," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We hung in there until the last round, and we were one knock away. It's good to see that to almost pull off something like that for a second straight game. But it's a tough game to overcome the lead they established."

Herrera experienced the same tightness on Aug. 22 against the Rockies, and Alexander came in that game to get his first career save.

"It all kind of happens so quick because you don't ever expect a guy to get hurt in the middle of an inning," Alexander said. "It happens so quick you just try to focus on what's in front of you and not the stuff around you, like the crowd, the guys on base. You just try to block it out and execute your pitches."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Melk man delivers: After a one-out RBI single from Lorenzo Cain in the third, Cabrera followed with an RBI double to left-center that center fielder Zack Granite couldn't quite get to. It helped spark a rally for the Royals, capped by the three-run homer from Moustakas with two out.

Moss is boss: Moss suffered some bad luck in his first two at-bats -- hitting the ball 106 mph and 108.6 mph, according to Statcast™ -- but he grounded out and lined out. In his third at-bat, he crushed a two-run homer off Tyler Duffey to give the Royals a four-run lead. It left the bat at 109.2 mph, traveling a projected 410 feet, according to Statcast™.

QUOTABLE

"He's a tough out. He's hitting the ball with authority this year. It's always going to be a battle with him. He can change the game with one swing. That's what he did." -- Gee, on Moustakas, his former teammate

WHAT'S NEXT

Royals: Left-hander Onelki Garcia (0-0, 7.94 ERA) starts the middle game of this crucial series against the Twins on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. CT. Garcia, who is making his first start for the Royals, pitched 5 2/3 innings of relief on Sunday against the Indians. He gave up five earned runs, all in his first inning of work.

Twins: Right-hander Kyle Gibson (8-10, 5.59) is set to start the second game of the series on Saturday at Target Field. Gibson is coming off a solid August that saw him post a 3.90 ERA.

Moose matches Royals' mark with 36th HRSept. 2, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/251877022/mike-moustakas-36th-homer-ties-royals-mark/

Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas hit his 35th home run on Aug. 15 in Oakland, and even he admits now that once he got to that point, the thought of tying and breaking the 32-year-old club record for home runs in a season began to find its way into his mind.

Moustakas finally tied Steve Balboni (36 in 1985) with a three-run wallop in a five-run third inning in the Royals' 7-6 win over the Twins on Friday night.

"I've been telling you guys the whole time, I'm not really thinking about it too much," Moustakas said. "You know, maybe once it got to 35 it started creeping in my head a little bit. That's when I started trying to do a little bit too much. Tonight, I was kind of relaxed. I just tried to put a good approach together."

Moustakas jumped on a 2-2 fastball from former teammate Dillon Gee and smashed it into the right-field seats. The ball traveled a projected 368 feet at 108 mph, according to Statcast™. The Royals said afterward they were able to retrieve the baseball to give to Moustakas.

"I hit it pretty good," Moustakas said. "I knew I hit it good. The question was if it was going to get out or not. It ended up getting out. It was a huge home run for us, though."

The three-run blast gave the Royals a 5-2 lead.

"He's a tough out," Gee said. "He can change the game with one swing. And he did."

Moustakas' teammates were quick to congratulate him when he got to the dugout.

"It was relief for everyone," manager Ned Yost said. "Everyone was pulling hard for him to tie it. Now they can pull hard for him to break it."

Moustakas, though, said he has been trying to keep the record in perspective, especially with his team trying to claw its way back into postseason contention. The Royals now are 3 1/2 games behind the Twins for the American League's second Wild Card spot.

"When I came in the dugout, and all the boys were giving me hugs, and high fives and stuff," Moustakas said. "And after the game, when everyone was saying congratulations, that's kind of when it sunk in a little bit. But again, we got another game tomorrow. So you can't dwell on it too much. But it's an awesome achievement, for sure."

Cahill comes off DL among KC's movesRoyals claim Gaviglio, recall Gallagher, Mondesi, Gore, OrlandoSept. 1, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/251840008/royals-make-moves-as-rosters-expand/

Two areas in which the Royals definitely needed reinforcements -- speed off the bench and bullpen depth -- arrived here on Friday as the club made a flurry of moves.

First, the Royals claimed right-hander Sam Gaviglio, 27, off waivers from the Mariners, and released right-hander Neftali Feliz, who had been on the disabled list because of ulnar nerve palsy.

The Royals also selected the contract of right-hander Andres Machado from Triple-A Omaha and moved left-hander Brian Flynn (groin strain) to the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster.

The Royals also recalled outfielders Terrance Gore and Paulo Orlando, along with catcher Cam Gallagher and middle infielder Raul Mondesi. Right-hander Trevor Cahill was activated from the DL after recovering from right shoulder impingement.

Royals manager Ned Yost also confirmed that the team added coach Mitch Maier. He will take over first-base coaching duties for Rusty Kuntz, who is battling vision issues, for the rest of the season.

Flynn and Feliz, who had a 4.74 ERA in 20 appearances with the Royals, were basically victims to their injuries.

"We need healthy arms right now," Yost said. "We can't wait."

Gaviglio made 12 appearances for the Mariners this season, 11 of those starts, and posted a 4.62 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP.

"He'll work out of the 'pen," Yost said. "He throws strikes."

Cahill also will move to the bullpen as he builds his arm strength back up.

Machado, a non-drafted free-agent signing in 2010 out of Venezuela, started the season at Class A Advanced

Wilmington and was promoted twice. At Omaha, Machado, 24, was 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA.

"Dayton [Moore] started telling me about him a month ago," Yost said. "Throws hard, 95-98 [mph]. Throws strikes. He'll give us some bullpen help."

When Machado got the call he was heading to the Majors, he called his mom and dad back in Carabobo, Venezuela.

"I called my mom and when she answered [and I told her], she just cried," Machado said.

Machado said he modeled his pitching style after countrymen Felix Hernandez and Freddy Garcia.

"Fish [Royals senior pitching adviser Bill Fischer] said I look like and pitch like Felix Hernandez," Machado said. "I told him that was my favorite player."

Yost said that Mondesi will serve as a backup up the middle as well as speed off the bench.

"[Whit Merrifield] will need a break sometime down the line," Yost said. "He had an off-day yesterday, but he's been going at it pretty hard."

Royals look to close Wild Card gap vs. TwinsSept. 1, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/251859256/royals-looking-to-close-wild-card-gap-vs-twins/?topicId=26688836

Royals manager Ned Yost understands the importance of this three-game series with the Twins, which resumes on Saturday at Target Field.

The Royals desperately are trying to close ground on the Twins, who hold the second American League Wild Card spot. But Yost said his mindset doesn't change for this series.

"Just go out and win games," Yost said. "My first and only thought is 'Win tonight.' That's it. Simple as that."

The Twins' perspective?

"It's been a real nice stretch," manager Paul Molitor said. "With a month to go, we've put ourselves in a good position. But there's potential for volatility. I think being resilient in June, July and August is good, but the true resiliency will be tested from here on out."

With Friday's 7-6 loss in the series opener, the Twins remained in the second Wild Card spot and one game back of the Yankees for the first Wild Card. Kansas City is 3 1/2 games back of Minnesota.

The Royals will turn to left-hander Onelki Garcia (0-0, 7.94 ERA), who will make his first start with the team on Saturday. Right-hander Kyle Gibson (8-10, 5.59) will start for the Twins.

Garcia, who will be the 13th different starter for the Royals this season, came on in relief last Sunday and give up five runs in his first two-thirds of an inning against the Indians. He then shut out the Tribe over his last five innings in a 12-0 loss.

"He really saved our pen that day," Yost said. "After a tough start, he was really good."

Three things to know about this game

• Yost might want to consider going to his bench against Gibson: outfielder Paulo Orlando is 6-for-11 (.545) against Gibson, and catcher Drew Butera is 6-for-8 against him.

• Gibson is 0-0 with a 5.23 ERA against the Royals this season in two starts.

• There's a small chance Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (left hand contusion) returns to the starting lineup on Saturday. Buxton took some swings in the cages and entered as a pinch-runner in the ninth on Friday.

Royals’ Moustakas clubs record-tying blast in 7-6 victory over the TwinsSept. 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170916372.html

For 32 years, the number lived. It survived through boiling summers in Kansas City and losing seasons inside Kauffman Stadium and two championship parades through downtown. It outlasted the rock-hard astroturf and the old jumbotron in left field and helmets with no flaps on them. They moved the fences in for a time. They remodeled the stadium. For a few years, an unknown percentage of players throughout baseball were juiced on steroids, and still, it remained.

The number was 36, of course, and for more than three decades, no Royals hitter could touch it. In the summer of 1985, Steve Balboni, a mustachioed, bald-headed slugger from New England, clubbed 36 home runs, the most in the history of the Royals. And after a while, the dubious record took root, becoming as much a part of Kansas City baseball as fountains or George Brett or the color blue.

And then came Friday night here at Target Field. Mike Moustakas stood at the plate in the top of the third inning. Minnesota’s Dillon Gee hurled a 2-2 fastball. One swing tied the number, partially exorcising 32 years of demons.

“I think there was relief for everybody,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

In a 7-6 victory over the Twins, Moustakas roped a 368-foot homer off a railing in deep right field, just above the right-field wall, notching his 36th home run and equaling Balboni’s mark. As the record-tying blast became official, the baseball ricocheted back onto the grass playing surface. Moustakas touched first base and broke into a brisk trot.

“And there it is!” screamed Royals broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre, sitting in a second-floor booth at Target Field.

For a moment, Moustakas felt relief, too. He has attempted to compartmentalize the home run chase, to focus on winning and on his approach and block out the rest. But on Friday, he had not hit a homer since Aug. 15, a 12-game stretch. Maybe he felt close, he said.

“I’ve been telling you guys the whole time, I’m not really thinking about it too much,” Moustakas said. “You know, maybe once it got to 35, it started creeping in my head a little

bit. That’s when I started trying to do a little bit too much. Tonight I was kind of relaxed.”

The homer, a three-run shot in the 133rd game of the season, provided a 5-2 lead during a five-run third inning. Designated hitter Brandon Moss would add his 18th homer of the year in the sixth as the Royals (66-67) claimed the first game of a critical three-game series.

They would need all the offense, escaping a bizarre bottom of the ninth when Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera allowed two runs and again exited with tightness in his low forearm and two runners on base. Reliever Scott Alexander once again entered mid-batter, issuing one walk (credited to Herrera) before striking out Minnesota’s Eddie Rosario with the bases loaded to preserve the victory.

“We needed to win this game,” Yost said.

Kansas City pulled within 3 1/2 games of the Twins in the chaotic race for the final American League wild-card spot. They will likely need to win at least one more this weekend to remain within striking distance in the early days of September.

On Friday afternoon, Yost offered a simple approach for the divisional series: “Just win,” he said. His team answered the call as Moustakas collected a piece of history. The next mission is 37 — and more wins.

“Everybody’s been pulling hard for him,” Yost said. “And now we get to pull hard for him to break it.

In some ways, this record-tying homer was anticipated, even expected. Moustakas had 25 home runs at the All-Star break and earned an invitation to the Home Run Derby in Miami. All across baseball, homers are flying out of ballparks at a record pace.

But there is a reason why Balboni’s mark stood for more than three decades. Since 1985, 348 players had hit at least 36 homers, including three others this year. But none accomplished the feat while wearing a Royals uniform. Some came close, of course. There was Danny Tartabull in 1987 (34); Gary Gaetti in 1995 (35 in just 137 games); and Dean Palmer in 1998 (34).

But Moustakas, a former No. 2 overall pick in 2007, became the first Royals hitter to catch Balboni. The moment did not register, he said, until his teammates ambushed him with hugs after the game.

“That's kind of when it sunk in a little bit,” he said. “But again, we got another game tomorrow. So you can’t dwell on it too much.

In the moment, the offense was needed. Royals starter Jason Hammel would surrender four earned runs in 6 1/3 innings, including two during the bottom of the first. Yet the offense fought back in the third. Lorenzo Cain ripped an RBI single into center field. Melky Cabrera roped an RBI double on his way to a four-hit game. And moments later, Moustakas stepped to the plate with Cabrera at second and Hosmer at first.

Moustakas fell behind 0-2 on the first two pitches — two fastballs from Gee. But he would battle back, pitch by pitch, fouling off one fastball before Gee, a former Royals pitcher, missed with two off-speed pitches.

On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Gee threw another fastball in the zone. And this time Moustakas did not miss. With one swing, Balboni had company at 36.

“Awesome achievement, for sure,” Moustakas said.

And then he started talking about Saturday.

Kelvin Herrera left with arm problems again. Here’s how Scott Alexander saved the daySept. 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170936882.html

The joke was born the last time reliever Scott Alexander appeared in the middle of an inning, the last time a Royals pitcher went down and a warm body was needed to enter in a pinch.

“The last time he came in,” Royals starter Jason Hammel said. “He’s literally the guy. ‘Somebody got hurt on the mound. Let’s get Scotty up. Just throw him in there.’ ”

In the moments after a 7-6 victory over the Twins on Friday, Hammel could safely provide a dosage of snark. Alexander had entered with two outs and two men on in the bottom of the ninth and rescued the Royals from what would have been a disastrous loss.

For the second time in 11 days, closer Kelvin Herrera exited mid-batter with what Royals manager Ned Yost described as “forearm tightness” near the wrist. Alexander has escaped jams both times.

The first came against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 22. On Friday, Alexander entered with the count 3-0 to Minnesota’s Jorge Polanco. He issued a bases-loaded walk, which was charged to Herrera, before striking out Eddie Rosario on a 1-2 sinker to thwart the rally.

“The more times you do it, the better you get at it,” Alexander said. “I know what to expect now. You work on your thought process while you’re warming up and you get it down.”

Herrera had recorded two outs while surrendering two runs. But the inning began in undramatic fashion. A runner reached on a fielding error from second baseman Whit Merrifield. Herrera procured two quick outs. It seemed like the game would be over in seconds.

But then Herrera issued a walk to Zack Granite and hit Brian Dozier to load the bases. Moments later, Joe Mauer shot a two-run single up the middle.

“It’s just hard,” Yost said of Herrera. “He’s one out or really one pitch away from getting out of it. He’s still throwing the ball well. If there was no outs or one out, it’s a different story. There’s two outs. Just make one pitch, and he’s out of it. He just couldn’t get there.”

Yost said that Herrera was day to day with the tightness in the lower part of his forearm. The Royals have emphasized that the issue is not overly serious. Yet it is perplexing.

By the end, though, Alexander left with his second save. He offered another clutch performance. So there was that.

“Let’s just try to keep him out of it as much as we can,” Yost deadpanned.

Catching Balboni: Royals’ Mike Moustakas ties franchise record for homers with No. 36 in MinnesotaSept. 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170890837.html

He set home run records in high school and became a prodigious slugger in the minor leagues. But on Friday night at Target Field, Mike Moustakas etched his name in Royals lore, matching a dubious franchise power mark that lasted for 32 years.

Moustakas clubbed his 36th home run of the year off Minnesota’s Dillon Gee in the third inning, pulling even with Steve Balboni for the most in a single season in Royals history.

The record-tying, three-run blast gave the Royals a 5-2 lead as they opened a three-game series in Minnesota. It landed in the seats down the right-field line. It propelled Moustakas into a permanent place in franchise history, the man who finally matched one of Kansas City’s most hallowed and humbling numbers.

For decades, Balboni’s record of 36 homers, set in 1985, has stood as a testament to the Royals’ lack of power and home run prowess, a truth that persisted through baseball’s Steroid Era, through different managers and eras, through a long stretch in which the fences were moved in at Kauffman Stadium.

When Balboni hit 36 homers, helping the Royals to the 1985 World Series, Moustakas was still three years from being born in Southern California.

On Wednesday, he ended a stretch of 12 games without a homer, battling through a sore right knee and hammering a four-seam fastball into the history books.

This Royals pitcher from Cuba never thought he’d see the major leagues againSept. 1, 2017 By Maria Torres/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170838207.html

Royals pitcher Onelki Garcia never thought he’d be in the big leagues again.

Throwing bullpen sessions at Kauffman Stadium, running alongside a big-league strength and conditioning coach, sitting in a major-league dugout — these are all moments the 28-year-old rookie from Cuba thought he’d surrendered when the Chicago White Sox’s Class AAA team released him in March 2016.

Garcia had defected from his native land nearly six years earlier, soon after turning 21 in August 2010, and spent months fleeing danger to reach the United States. He was nearly deported before the 2012 draft, when the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the third round. He’d only appeared

briefly in the majors, logging 1 1/3 innings over three relief appearances in 2013.

For a moment last spring, after failing to land tryouts with other ball clubs, it seemed to Garcia all the trouble had been for nothing.

“I felt like trash when I was released,” Garcia told The Star in his native Spanish. “As a ballplayer, that’s how you feel when you’re fired from your organization. All I could tell myself then was that I had to keep working because I already had a daughter, a wife. No one else was going to take care of me.”

Yet here he is, about to make his first major-league start four years after his initial debut. Royals manager Ned Yost penciled Garcia into the rotation in place of the injured Danny Duffy, despite Garcia’s inauspicious debut for the Royals last week.

Garcia will start Saturday in Minnesota, against a Twins team that owns the second AL wild-card spot the Royals so covet.

He is not in an easy position. But pressure isn’t something new for Garcia, who is still hesitant to discuss his covert journey to the United States for fear of harming his family members who remain in Cuba.

“I never put my head down,” Garcia said. “There were times I wanted to give it up and get a job doing something else because I wasn’t seeing any progress. But my wife pushed me to keep going. She kept telling me baseball was what I liked to do, what I know how to do.”

And the Royals found him doing just that last fall, toiling away in the Mexican League.

Garcia had a 3.82 ERA in 14 appearances, including three starts, and was 0-1 for the Diablos Rojos del Mexico, who signed him last July after he spent months testing free agency with an ever-shrinking bank account.

He had once been the Dodgers’ ninth-best prospect but had trouble coming back from a slew of injuries.

He was damaged — long past recovering from surgery that removed a bone spur in his left elbow but still playing on knees that each underwent minor procedures to repair meniscus tears in the past.

“It was a tough time for me,” Garcia said. “I ended up in Mexico and I thought I would play the rest of my career there.”

But the Royals signed him in October anyway, assigned him to Class AAA Omaha and let him get used to pitching in a major-league farm system again. When they wanted to stretch him out, he spent a few weeks at Class AA Northwest Arkansas after allowing 10 runs and a .417 batting average over 5 1/3 innings in relief in early June, and returned to Omaha as a starter.

The Royals selected Garcia’s contract when Duffy was placed on the disabled list last week.

Garcia wasn’t sharp in his debut for the Royals on Sunday, giving up a three-run homer on his second pitch and a grand slam in his first inning in relief of Eric Skoglund. After escaping the second inning, he retired 12 of the next 19

batters and never allowed the Indians to score again in that 12-0 loss.

Garcia will enter Saturday’s start with an ugly 7.94 ERA (five runs in 5 2/3 innings). He will face a Twins team that scored the most runs (177) and had the second-highest team batting average (.280) in the American League in August.

He won’t have it easy. But nothing has ever come easily to him, anyway.

“I was running out in Oklahoma, and they called me over to let me know I was going to the big leagues,” Garcia said. “I still feel emotional talking about it now. It was something I had wished for, for so long.”

Royals add two new pitchers in flurry of roster movesSept. 1, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article170778302.html

The Royals on Friday recalled five players from Class AAA Omaha on the first day that Major League Baseball teams were allowed to expand their rosters from 25 players to as many as 40.

They also bolstered their pitching staff by claiming starter Sam Gaviglio off outright waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

The Royals said Gaviglio will join the team Saturday in Minneapolis. In a corresponding move, the Royals released right-handed pitcher Neftali Feliz, who had been on the 60-day disabled list. Gaviglio, a right-hander, was 3-5 with a 4.62 ERA in 12 games (11 starts) with Seattle this season.

The players recalled from Omaha are pitcher Andres Machado, infielder Raul Mondesi, catcher Cam Gallagher and outfielders Terrance Gore and Paulo Orlando.

Machado was added the Royals’ 40-man roster, and the team moved left-handed pitcher Brian Flynn from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list, ending his season. The Royals also reinstated starting pitcher Trevor Cahill from the 10-day disabled list (right shoulder impingement syndrome).

One notable omission from the call ups is outfielder Jorge Soler, who has 22 home runs in 71 games for the Storm Chasers. It seems likely that Soler will be recalled after Omaha’s season ends Monday.

The four position players recalled on Friday all have spent time with the Royals this season.

Mondesi won the starting second base job out of spring training, but had a dreadful April when he batted .095 with one home run, two RBIs and five stolen bases. Orlando had a .147 batting average in 14 game in April. Gallagher hit .385 with one home run and five RBIs in five games. Gore appeared in two games and was caught stealing in his only attempt.

Royals GM shows his true mettle amid turbulence and decisions gone awrySept. 1, 2017 By Vahe Gregorian/KC Star

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article170815272.html

Straitjacketed by lawyer-ese, Royals pitcher Danny Duffy was supposed to say as little as possible the other day after being cited for driving under the influence.

In a remorseful tone, he delivered a brief and vague statement on Tuesday in the media room at Kauffman Stadium.

Then, about to make the instant exit as planned, Duffy was compelled to say something more unrestrained.

Speaking of general manager Dayton Moore, seated alongside him, Duffy said, “I owe my life to this guy.”

If that sounds like an exaggeration, beyond his parents, there’s little doubt Duffy believes that’s true — and you could go around the clubhouse and find many with similar sentiments.

The day the Royals selected him in the third round of the 2007 draft, Duffy was in cap and gown for graduation from Cabrillo High in Lompoc, Calif., thus becoming a Royal immediately after that rite of passage.

Through a personal issue that left him quitting the game for a period in 2010, through Tommy John surgery and other ups-and-downs, “Bury Me A Royal” became not just a popular Duffy Tweet but a belief system because of how the organization nurtured him under Moore’s guidance.

Nurtured without enabling, much in the way you’d hope a parent would.

You saw living proof of what that looks like in the riveting news conference with Moore after Duffy left.

It was a scene remarkable for Moore’s candor and insight and sheer humanity when most leaders would tend to be invisible or mechanical.

Over and over, Moore said the Royals love Duffy and will support him.

But he was unwilling to dismiss the DUI as an isolated incident, since he doesn’t know all the facts, and said there is no alibi or excuse for what Duffy had done.

In the age of the coddled or propped-up or insulated athlete, his most striking words were these:

“Danny’s hurting, but, honestly, I’m glad he’s hurting,” Moore said. “He needs to hurt. He needs to feel shame.”

In the process, Moore demonstrated once again what makes him special and so much more than what his title says.

Since winning the 2015 World Series, little has gone as the Royals or Moore might have hoped.

After his streak of remarkably successful moves, a number either have backfired (Alex Gordon’s $72 million contract) or have muddled the issue of whether the future is now, or truly somewhere off in the future (Wade Davis for Jorge Soler and holding onto a horde of potential free agents).

Even the trade-deadline moves that seemed likely to bolster the Royals’ playoff prospects (acquiring Melky Cabrera and three Padres pitchers) have provided at best mixed results.

Now, salvaging a wild-card spot is a lofty goal entering the last month of the regular season in what looms as the end of an era.

Barring a momentous change of fortune into an improbable playoff run, Moore isn’t going to get another of those Major League Baseball “Executive of the Year” awards like he did in 2015.

But if this is the last hurrah with much of the core that made baseball in KC not just relevant but thrilling again, even if you’re exasperated with the state of things right now, it’s also a fine time to pause and remember that Moore is the same man who rejuvenated the franchise.

And remember that with his dignity, integrity, transparency, charitable endeavors and appeal to the best in us, he’s done some of his most admirable work in the last few months — work that transcends baseball and stands for why Kansas City is lucky to have him in this job.

After Moore got the wrenching news on Jan. 22 of Yordano Ventura’s death in a car accident in the Dominican Republic, he knew that he was being called upon to try to somehow comfort Kansas City and Ventura’s family, and even the Dominican nation itself.

There were so many overwhelmingly moving moments the day of Ventura’s funeral.

From watching Ventura’s former teammates suddenly serving as pallbearers … to seeing Royals executives, dressed formally, walking more than a mile in stifling heat among the Dominicans to the graveyard … to an emotional woman in Ventura’s hometown of Las Terrenas holding a handmade sign reading, “Thank You Kansas City For Your Love And Support.”

I will remember all of these snapshots for the rest of my life.

But I don’t believe anything will remain more vivid than how Moore handled it all.

Moments after Moore hugged the weeping Jarrod Dyson, whom Moore had traded to Seattle not long before, Moore took the hands of Ventura’s family members just feet from the casket.

“We’re very sorry, and you’ve reminded us today that Jesus speaks to us through pain,” he said in words that were translated for them. “We’re all family. We’re all hurting together. We loved Yordano, and we love (your) family.

“And we’re proud and honored to share in this sorrow and pain with you.”

It’s impossible to gauge the effect Ventura’s death has had on this season, whether in cold-blooded terms of the sheer performances he might’ve contributed, or the psychological impact of such a piercing loss.

In the aftermath, Moore knew both that healing and compassion were needed, but so was redoubling the organization’s efforts to create awareness of the trappings and pitfalls of its players’ fame and fortune.

He met with players in small groups and talked to them again about the importance of making good choices, reiterating their responsibilities to the community and to themselves.

Life happens anyway, though.

Because players aren’t “perfect vessels,” as he put it. They have what he called “the freedom and the choices of manhood, but oftentimes they don’t have those responsibilities. Because we don’t allow them to have those responsibilities.”

He takes that on himself, though, in ways that are rare and important and much more lasting than just what you see in the team’s win/loss record.

“I view this as a positive. I view this as a good thing. I enjoy problems,” Moore said. “Because then you get opportunities to grow and get better and let them shape you and mold you, and those circumstances grow you as a person and a professional …

“I can’t wait for Danny to have this discussion with our minor-league players in the future. We will discuss it, we won’t run away from it and we’ll learn from it and discuss it to give other people hope and to learn from. That’s the bottom line.”

It’s a different one, of course, than what the record tells you.

But it’s a standard and way of thinking from which all else has come in his tenure with the Royals — something bigger to remember when some decisions go awry.

MINORSCubs Top Chasers 5-4 In Front of 7,579Torres clubs 2-run homer as Omaha falls in series openerSept. 1, 2017 By Andrew Green/Omaha Storm Chasershttps://www.milb.com/storm-chasers/news/cubs-top-chasers-5-4-in-front-of-7579/c-251935968/t-196093384

After Omaha shortstop Ramon Torres crushed a two-run homer in the first en route to an early Chasers lead, Iowa clawed their way back for a come-from-behind victory capped by center fielder John Andreoli 's tie-breaking longball in the seventh in the Cubs' 5-4 win in front of 7,579 fans on Friday evening at Werner Park.

Torres got the scoring started early with a two-run shot to right, pushing Omaha ahead 2-0. That margin then extended to three in the subsequent frame courtesy of 2B Ruben Sosa's run-scoring double to center. After the two teams swapped single tallies in the fourth, the Cubs evened the contest at four with a three-run sixth aided by a pair of Storm Chasers fielding miscues. Andreoli's towering solo shot in the seventh gave Iowa their first lead at 5-4, which they would not relinquish.

Omaha CF Billy Burns (2-4, R, BB) DH Dean Anna (2-4) and LF Corey Toups (2-3, RBI) each recorded multi-hit efforts in the defeat. Iowa 2B Stephen Bruno (2-4, 2 R, RBI) and C Taylor Davis (2-3, R, BB), meanwhile, each tallied a pair of knocks. Burns and 1B Frank Schwindel continued their hot stretches at the plate, with the former now tallying hits in 26 of his most recent 31 games, while Schwindel has posted knocks in 43 of his last 47.

Cubs starter Scott Carroll (6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) earned his second victory, setting down each of the final seven batters he faced. Relievers Jack Leathersich (1.0 IP, H, 3 K) and Pierce Johnson (1.0 IP, H) and Matt Carasiti joined forces for the final three shutout frames, with the latter notching his league-leading 21st save. Omaha starter Jake Kalish (5.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K) did not factor in the final decision, while Storm Chasers reliever Jake Newberry (2.0 IP, H, 2 R, ER, BB, 2 K) suffered the defeat to fall to 2-2.

Omaha and Iowa are set to continue their four-game set on Saturday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m. CT. RHP Pedro Fernandez (2-1, 4.30) is anticipated to get the nod for the Storm Chasers, with the I-Cubs slated to give the ball to RHP Jen-Ho Tseng (5-1, 1.69).

Drillers Beat Naturals, Move Closer to Second-Half TitleTulsa needs only one win in final three games to clinch playoff berthSept. 1, 2017 By Tulsa Drillershttps://www.milb.com/drillers/news/drillers-beat-naturals-move-closer-to-second-half-title/c-251932248/t-196093322

The Tulsa Drillers moved a step closer to claiming a Texas League playoff berth Friday night by defeating Northwest Arkansas 4-3 at ONEOK Field. With the win, the Drillers maintained their hold on first place in the Texas League's North Division, setting up a title-deciding series with Springfield to end the regular season.

Tulsa will host the Cardinals for a three-game set starting Saturday night. The Drillers will need to win only one of the three games to clinch the second-half title and punch their ticket to the postseason. The Cards must sweep the series to take the crown because Tulsa owns the tie-breaker due to a winning 8-3 record against the Redbirds in the second half.

One night after failing to hold a late lead, a trio of Drillers pitchers combined to complete Friday's victory. Starting pitcher Yadier Alvarez was impressive in his six innings of work, allowing only four hits and getting charged for just one earned run while getting the win to even his record at 2-2. He walked two hitters and struck out seven, one shy of matching a season high.

Brian Moran was even more impressive. The lefthander worked two shutout innings in relief of Alvarez and struck out the side in each inning.

Daniel Corcino allowed a leadoff double to Alfredo Escalera to open the ninth, and he eventually scored on a passed ball. But, Corcino kept his poise and retired the pesky Humberto Arteaga on a pop up after an 11-pitch at-bat to save the victory.

The Naturals had taken an initial lead in the game, taking advantage of a Drillers error in the top of the first inning to go in front. The game's first batter, Donnie Dewees, reached safely when Tulsa shortstop Errol Robinson misplayed his grounder. After a sacrifice bunt and a ground out, Dewees scored the game's first run on a two-out base hit by Mauricio Ramos.

The Drillers tied the game with a two-out rally in the bottom of the second. With the bases empty, Drew Jackson doubled.

Johan Mieses brought him home when he grounded a single into center field.

Mieses struck again in the fourth to put Tulsa in front. Erick Mejia opened the inning with a leadoff single, and Drew Jackson reached when he was hit by a pitch. Mieses followed with his 15th Double-A home run of the season to put the Drillers in front 4-1.

The Naturals cut their deficit to only two runs with another run in the top of the fifth. After Dewees drew a one-out walk, Ryan O'Hearn just missed a home run with a deep drive that hit the top of the wall in straightway center field. The ball stayed in the park, but Dewees scored on what turned out to be a triple for O'Hearn.

First baseman Matt Beaty finished with one hit in five at-bats to extend his hitting streak to 11 straight games, matching a team high for the season. He also hit safely in 11 consecutive games from July 27 through August 6.

Beaty is also trying to become the first Drillers player to ever win a Texas League batting title. He entered the game in a virtual three-way tie for the league lead, but his 1-5 night moved his average to .324, dropping him five points behind Midland's B.J. Boyd who had three hits on Friday.

Tulsa will hope to clinch its first playoff berth since 2014 with one victory in the Labor Day Weekend series with Springfield.

Blue Rocks Drop Series Opener to HillcatsRocks Can't Keep Pace with LynchburgSept. 1, 2017 By Wilmington Blue Rockshttps://www.milb.com/blue-rocks/news/rocks-cant-keep-pace-with-lynchburg/c-251936790/t-196097164

The Wilmington Blue Rocks (67-69/28-36) did not have an answer for the Lynchburg HIllcats' (84-52/44-23) offense Friday night as the Rocks suffered a lopsided 13-4 loss at Frawley Stadium. The 13 runs surrendered and 10 walks issued by Wilmington's staff are the most allowed in a single game this season for the Blue Crew. The loss also marks the eighth straight defeat at the friendly confines of Frawley Stadium for Wilmington. Travis Maezes, Chris DeVito and Roman Collins each drove in a run in the loss.

Wilmington got off to a strong start with a little help from the Hillcats in the opening inning. After Nick Heath started the frame with a single, Jecksson Flores walked and Roman Collins singled to load the bases. DeVito then reached on a fielder's choice an error by Lynchburg's shortstop Sam Haggerty allowed two runners to score to give the Blue Rocks a 2-0 lead. However, the Hillcats answered right back with a pair of runs of their own in the top of the third when Martin Cervenka and Connor Marabell each delivered with RBI hits to knot the game, 2-2.

The Rocks loaded the bases for the second time in as many innings before Collins drew a two-out RBI walk to push the Rocks out front 3-2. That would be the last lead the Rocks would hold as Lynchburg responded with 11 unanswered runs. In the third inning, the Hillcats sent 10 men to the plate and scored four runs, aided by four walks and a two-run single by Connor Marabell.

Lynchburg continued to add to its lead scoring two more runs in the fourth before adding four more in the sixth inning including RBI hits from Gavin Collins, Mitch Longo and Marabell, who drove in his fourth RBI of the night, to extend the Hillcats lead 12-3. Lynchburg tacked on another run in the eighth inning on Wilmington's seventh wild pitch of the ballgame, to make it a 13-3 contest. Maezes ripped an RBI triple in the eighth inning to score Brandon Downes, who walked, to make it a 13-4 final.

The Blue Rocks will continue their four-game series with the Hillcats on Saturday, September 2 with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. RHP Jace Vines (3-2, 3.82 ERA) takes the mound for Wilmington while RHP Dominic DeMasi (6-1, 2.68 ERA) makes the start for the Hillcats. Fans can listen to the game as Matt Janus and Cory Nidoh have the call on 89.7 WGLS-FM.

PEBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE:

For the majority of 2017, the Blue Rocks have been one of the better teams in the Carolina while playing at home in the friendly confines of Frawley Stadium. However, Wilmington's loss on Friday night extended a season-high home losing streak to eight games. Over that stretch, the Rocks have been outscored 44-11 by the visiting team and have lost five games by two runs or less. Before the eighth-game skid at home, the Rocks won 11 of the previous 16 home contests at Frawley Stadium.

The Rocks pitching staff unfortunately could not find the strike zone on Friday night. Four different pitchers were used and allowed a season-high 10 walks against Lynchburg. Scott Blewett and walked a career-high six batters over two-plus innings, including four straight in the second inning. Wilmington also surrendered a season-high 13 runs to the Hillcats in Friday's game. It's the most runs the staff has given up since August 8, when Down East scored 11 runs.

Despite the offensive struggles, Jecksson Flores has stayed hot in the final games of the regular season. The shortstop picked up a hit, a walk, and scored a run on Friday evening, and tallied two more hits on Thursday night. The two hits marked his 21st multi-hit game on the season. For Flores, nine of those have come in the month of August. During the last full month of play, the 23-year-old has slugged 10 of his 14 doubles and two of his three triples, all while providing stellar defensive.

In limited action this year, Travis Maezes has impressed with his power. The Ann Arbor-native stroked his first career triple on Friday night against Lynchburg, his second extra base hit of the home stand. On the season, Maezes has powered nine doubles along with six home runs despite being sidelined with an injury for nearly a month. Of his 45 hits on the year, 16 of them have been for extra bases.

They Said It: Travis Maezes, Infielder

"It was a tough game for us (on Friday). Just knowing when you are coming up in the order and doing your best to lock into that at bat (on staying focused). It's just a night we want to forget and move onto (Saturday's game). We will come back (Saturday) ready to go.

Personally, I want to compete the last three games. It still doesn't matter (where we are in the standings) but you have to compete every day and want to win. (The fans) have been great to us all year.They come out, show us their support. We didn't give them a great performance (Friday) but throughout the entire season, it has been awesome. They have given us a good atmosphere and good home field advantage this year."

Hagerstown wins on Corredor's walk-off hitSept. 1, 2017 By Lexington Legendshttps://www.milb.com/legends/news/hagerstown-wins-on-corredors-walk-off-hit/c-251909502/t-196097274

Aldrem Corredor's single in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Blake Perkins from second base with the winning run as the Hagerstown Suns took a 5-4 victory over the Lexington Legends Friday night in Hagerstown.

The Suns took the early lead on a three-run homer by Nick Banks in the bottom of the first inning, but the Legends matched that when Meibrys Viloria connected for a three-run shot in the top of the fourth.

Oliver Ortiz led off the bottom of the fourth with a homer, giving the Suns a 4-3 lead.

The Legends tied the game in the fifth. Michael Gigliotti reached first on an error by Corredor at first base. After Vance Vizcaino struck out, Khalil Lee was hit by a pitch. A double steal put the runners at second and third, and a walk to Emmanuel Rivera loaded the bases. Gigliotti scored the tying run on a passed ball.

The score remained 4-4 until the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Perkins hit a pop fly double to left field. After Carter Kieboom was intentionally walked, Corredor singled to center, and Perkins came home with the game winner.

Sam Held (2-4), who entered the game in the top of the ninth, got the win. Reliever Garrett Davila (8-8) was the losing pitcher. He shut out the Suns through the sixth, seventh and eighth innings and did not allow a hit until Hagerstown rallied in the ninth.

Game two of the four-game series will be played Saturday night. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.

MLB TRANSACTIONSSeptember 2, 2017 •.CBSSports.comhttp://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Chicago Cubs Jon LesterRemoved From 10-Day DL, (Left shoulder fatigue)

Los Angeles Dodgers Brock Stewart Called Up from Minors

New York Mets Matt Harvey Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

New York Mets Matt HarveyRemoved From 10-Day DL, (Stress injury, right scapula)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Arizona Diamondbacks

Kristopher Negrón Purchased From Minors

Arizona Diamondbacks

John Ryan Murphy Called Up from Minors

Arizona Diamondbacks

Braden Shipley Called Up from Minors

Arizona Diamondbacks

Rubby De La Rosa Released

Arizona Diamondbacks J.J. Hoover Called Up from Minors

Arizona Diamondbacks

Silvino Bracho Called Up from Minors

Atlanta Braves Luke Jackson Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Atlanta Braves Tony Sanchez Purchased From Minors

Atlanta Braves Rex Brothers Called Up from Minors

Atlanta Braves Johan Camargo

Sent to Minors, For Rehabilitation

Atlanta Braves Max Fried Called Up from Minors

Atlanta Braves Luke JacksonRemoved From 10-Day DL, (Right shoulder strain)

Atlanta Braves Ian Krol Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Atlanta Braves Ian KrolRemoved From 10-Day DL, (Strained left oblique)

Atlanta Braves Jason Motte Placed on 10-Day DL, (Right oblique strain)

Atlanta Braves Rio Ruiz Called Up from Minors

Baltimore Orioles Tyler Wilson Designated for

Assignment

Baltimore Orioles Pedro Alvarez Purchased From Minors

Baltimore Orioles

Jimmy Yacabonis Called Up from Minors

Baltimore Orioles

Richard Rodríguez Purchased From Minors

Baltimore Orioles Logan Verrett Designated for

Assignment

Baltimore Orioles Chance Sisco Purchased From Minors

Baltimore Orioles Joey Rickard Called Up from Minors

Boston Red Sox Roenis Elias Called Up from Minors

Boston Red Sox Matt Barnes Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Boston Red Sox Matt Barnes Removed From 10-Day DL, (Lower back strain)

Boston Red Sox Austin Maddox Called Up from Minors

Boston Red Sox Sam Travis Called Up from Minors

Boston Red Sox Blake Swihart Called Up from Minors

Boston Red Sox Dustin PedroiaRemoved From 10-Day DL, (Recurring left knee inflammation)

Chicago Cubs Mike Freeman Purchased From Minors

Chicago Cubs Seth Frankoff Designated for Assignment

Chicago Cubs Justin Grimm Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Chicago Cubs Justin GrimmRemoved From 10-Day DL, (Right index finger infection)

Chicago Cubs Dillon Maples Purchased From Minors

Chicago Cubs Victor Caratini Called Up from Minors

Chicago White Sox Carson Fulmer Called Up from Minors

Chicago White Sox

Reynaldo López

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Strained back)

Chicago White Sox

David Holmberg Purchased From Minors

Cincinnati Reds Lisalverto Bonilla Released

Cincinnati Reds Lisalverto Bonilla

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Right elbow inflammation)

Cincinnati Reds Ariel Hernandez Called Up from Minors

Cincinnati Reds Zach Vincej Purchased From Minors

Cleveland Indians

Shawn Morimando Called Up from Minors

Cleveland Indians Greg Allen Purchased From Minors

Cleveland Indians

Abraham Almonte

Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Cleveland Indians

Abraham Almonte

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Strained left hamstring)

Cleveland Indians Dylan Baker Called Up from Minors

Cleveland Indians Dylan Baker Placed on 60-Day DL,

(Right shoulder strain)

Cleveland Indians

Lonnie Chisenhall

Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Cleveland Indians

Lonnie Chisenhall

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Right calf strain)

Cleveland Indians Kyle Crockett Called Up from Minors

Cleveland Indians Dan Otero Reinstated from

Paternity Leave List

Cleveland Adam Plutko Called Up from Minors

Indians

Cleveland Indians Josh Tomlin Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Cleveland Indians Josh Tomlin

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Strained left hamstring)

Cleveland Indians

Francisco Mejia Called Up from Minors

Colorado Rockies

Mike Tauchman Called Up from Minors

Colorado Rockies Zac Rosscup Called Up from Minors

Colorado Rockies Jeff Hoffman Called Up from Minors

Colorado Rockies Tom Murphy Called Up from Minors

Colorado Rockies

Ryan McMahon Called Up from Minors

Colorado Rockies Carlos Estévez Called Up from Minors

Detroit Tigers Blaine Hardy Called Up from Minors

Detroit Tigers Efren Navarro Purchased From Minors

Detroit Tigers Daniel Norris Removed From 10-Day DL, (Left groin strain)

Detroit Tigers Jairo Labourt Called Up from Minors

Detroit Tigers Bryan Holaday Purchased From Minors

Detroit Tigers Daniel Norris Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Detroit Tigers Anibal Sanchez

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Left hamstring strain)

Detroit Tigers Anibal Sanchez

Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Detroit Tigers Chad Bell Called Up from Minors

Houston Astros Brady Rodgers Called Up from Minors

Kansas City Royals Raul Mondesi Called Up from Minors

Kansas City Royals

Andres Machado Purchased From Minors

Kansas City Royals Sam Gaviglio

Acquired Off Waivers From from Mariners, Seattle

Kansas City Royals Trevor Cahill

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Right shoulder impingement)

Kansas City Royals Paulo Orlando Called Up from Minors

Kansas City Royals Brian Flynn Transferred to 60-Day

DL, (Strained left groin)

Kansas City Royals Neftalí Feliz Released

Kansas City Royals Neftalí Feliz

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Right ulnar nerve palsy)

Kansas City Royals Terrance Gore Called Up from Minors

Kansas City Royals

Cam Gallagher Called Up from Minors

Los Angeles Angels

Fernando Salas Purchased From Minors

Los Angeles Angels J.C. Ramírez

Transferred to 60-Day DL, (Right forearm strain)

Los Angeles Angels Carlos Perez Called Up from Minors

Los Angeles Angels Nolan Fontana Called Up from Minors

Los Angeles Angels Yunel Escobar Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Los Angeles Angels Noe Ramirez Called Up from Minors

Los Angeles Angels Alex Meyer

Transferred to 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder inflammation)

Los Angeles Angels Jason Gurka Purchased From Minors

Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier Removed From 60-Day

DL, (Herniated disc)

Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw

Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Los Angeles Dodgers Rob Segedin Called Up from Minors

Los Angeles Dodgers Fabio Castillo Called Up from Minors

Los Angeles Dodgers Andre Ethier Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Los Angeles Dodgers Brett Eibner Designated for

Assignment

Los Angeles Dodgers

O'Koyea Dickson Purchased From Minors

Los Angeles Dodgers Alex Verdugo Purchased From Minors

Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Lower back strain)

Los Angeles Dodgers Grant Dayton Transferred to 60-Day

DL, (Neck stiffness)

Miami Marlins Dillon Peters Purchased From Minors

Miami Marlins Brian Anderson Purchased From Minors

Miami Marlins Javy Guerra Purchased From Minors

Milwaukee Brewers

Taylor Williams Called Up from Minors

Milwaukee Brewers

Brandon Woodruff Called Up from Minors

Milwaukee Brewers Brett Phillips Called Up from Minors

Milwaukee Brewers Andrew Susac Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Milwaukee Brewers Andrew Susac

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Right trapezius strain)

Milwaukee Brewers Brent Suter Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Milwaukee Brewers Brent Suter

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Strained left rotator cuff)

Milwaukee Brewers

Wei-Chung Wang Called Up from Minors

Milwaukee Brewers Junior Guerra Called Up from Minors

Minnesota Twins

Héctor Santiago

Transferred to 60-Day DL, (Upper thoracic back pain)

Minnesota Twins Nik Turley Called Up from Minors

Minnesota Twins Dietrich Enns Sent to Minors, For

Rehabilitation

Minnesota Twins

Buddy Boshers Called Up from Minors

Minnesota Twins

Niko Goodrum Purchased From Minors

New York Mets Jamie Callahan Purchased From Minors

New York Mets Robert Gsellman Called Up from Minors

New York Mets Jacob Rhame Called Up from Minors

New York Yankees Erik Kratz Purchased From Minors

New York Yankees

Bryan Mitchell Called Up from Minors

New York Yankees

Jordan Montgomery Called Up from Minors

New York Luis Cessa Transferred to 60-Day

Yankees DL, (Ribcage injury)

New York Yankees Matt Holliday Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

New York Yankees Ben Heller Called Up from Minors

New York Yankees Matt Holliday Removed From 10-Day

DL, (Left lumbar strain)

Oakland Athletics Josh Phegley Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Oakland Athletics Josh Phegley

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Strained left oblique)

Oakland Athletics

Franklin Barreto Called Up from Minors

Oakland Athletics

Jake Smolinski

Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder surgery)

Oakland Athletics Sam Moll Called Up from Minors

Oakland Athletics

Jake Smolinski

Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Philadelphia Phillies Casey Fien Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Philadelphia Phillies Casey Fien

Removed From 60-Day DL, (Right rotator cuff strain)

Philadelphia Phillies Casey Fien Released

Pittsburgh Pirates

Joaquín Benoit

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Left knee inflammation)

Pittsburgh Pirates Wade LeBlanc

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Strained left quadriceps)

San Diego Padres Erick Aybar

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Left foot contusion)

San Diego Padres Jordan Lyles Purchased From Minors

San Diego Padres

Kevin Quackenbush

Designated for Assignment

San Diego Padres Jose Valdez Called Up from Minors

San Diego Padres Erick Aybar Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

San Diego Padres Kyle McGrath Called Up from Minors

San Francisco Giants Johnny Cueto Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

San Francisco Giants Austin Slater Sent to Minors, For

Rehabilitation

San Francisco Giants Derek Law Called Up from Minors

San Francisco Giants Johnny Cueto

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Blister issues, right hand)

San Francisco Giants Steven Okert Called Up from Minors

San Francisco Giants

Tim Federowicz Purchased From Minors

Seattle Mariners

Andrew Moore Called Up from Minors

Seattle Mariners Mike Marjama Purchased From Minors

Seattle Mariners Ryan Garton Called Up from Minors

Seattle Mariners Shae Simmons

Removed From 60-Day DL, (Flexor strain, right forearm)

Seattle Mariners Shae Simmons Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Seattle Mariners David Phelps

Placed on 10-Day DL, (Right elbow posterior impingement)

Seattle Mariners Jarrod Dyson Removed From 10-Day

DL, (Right groin strain)

Seattle Mariners

Christian Bergman Outrighted to Minors

Seattle Mariners Dan Altavilla Called Up from Minors

St. Louis Cardinals

Harrison Bader Called Up from Minors

St. Louis Cardinals Jack Flaherty Purchased From Minors

St. Louis Cardinals

Sean Gilmartin

Called Up from Minors, - Not to Report

St. Louis Cardinals

Sean Gilmartin Outrighted to Minors

St. Louis Cardinals Alex Mejia Called Up from Minors

St. Louis Cardinals

Alberto Rosario Purchased From Minors

St. Louis Cardinals

Sandy Alcántra Purchased From Minors

Tampa Bay Rays Ryne Stanek Called Up from Minors

Tampa Bay Rays Curt Casali Called Up from Minors

Tampa Bay Rays Adam Kolarek Called Up from Minors

Texas Rangers Paolo Espino Called Up from Minors

Texas Rangers Joely Rodríguez

Designated for Assignment

Texas Rangers Jake Diekman Removed From 60-Day DL, (Ulcerative colitis)

Texas Rangers Jake Diekman Recalled From Minors, Rehab Assignment

Texas Rangers Dario Alvarez Designated for Assignment

Texas Rangers Will Middlebrooks Purchased From Minors

Texas Rangers Jhan Marinez Designated for Assignment

Texas Rangers A.J. Jimenez Purchased From Minors

Toronto Blue Jays Luke Maile

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Right knee irritation)

Toronto Blue Jays Luke Maile Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Toronto Blue Jays

Michael Saunders Purchased From Minors

Toronto Blue Jays

Carlos Ramírez Purchased From Minors

Toronto Blue Jays

Teoscar Hernández Called Up from Minors

Toronto Blue Jays César Valdez

Transferred to 60-Day DL, (Right shoulder impingement)

Toronto Blue Jays Richard Ureña Called Up from Minors

Washington Nationals Raudy Read Called Up from Minors

Washington Nationals Enny Romero Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Washington Nationals Erick Fedde Called Up from Minors

Washington Nationals Ryan Madson

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Sprained right finger)

Washington Nationals Austin Adams Called Up from Minors

Washington Nationals Enny Romero

Removed From 10-Day DL, (Strained left forearm)