MLB Player News

Kahnle walked one batter and struck out one batter in one inning against the Astros on Saturday to register a hold.

Kahnle worked the seventh frame, issuing a leadoff walk that was quickly wiped out by a double play. The veteran reliever needed 15 total pitches to get through the inning -- his third straight scoreless frame -- while preserving the Yankees' 2-1 lead. Kahnle has emerged as an important part of New York's bullpen since making his campaign debut after returning from injury at the start of June, registering 10 holds and one save while posting a 2.22 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 27:9 K:BB over 24.1 frames.

Lange recorded two outs but also walked three batters and was pulled from a save opportunity in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Rays.

Lange was called on for the top of the ninth inning but couldn't complete the frame, as he needed 20 pitches to retire two batters before he was replaced by Beau Brieske. When Lange struggles, it's often the free passes that catch up with him, and he now has a whopping 34 walks in 44 innings this season. He should still have some job security as Detroit's closer, but the team may decide to go in a different direction if Lange can't limit the walks moving forward.

Brieske retired the final batter in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Rays via strikeout to record the save.

Brieske came on for Alex Lange, who recorded the first two outs of the inning but also walked three batters and tossed 20 pitches. It's too early to say there's a change in the closer role for Detroit, as Lange leads the team with 17 saves and should have some job security. However, it seems that Brieske could be an option for the role if the Tigers decide to make a switch at some point.

Pivetta gave up three runs on six hits and two walks over four innings of relief in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out two and did not factor into the decision.

John Schreiber got the nod as the opener for Boston on Saturday, and while manager Alex Cora had hinted before the game that Chris Murphy would be used as the primary pitcher after Schreiber, it was Pivetta who came out of the bullpen to begin the second inning. The right-hander was the only person who seemed to be faked out by the move, however, as he put together his worst appearance since originally shifting to a long-relief role back in May. Pivetta still sports an impressive 2.51 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 45:8 K:BB through 32.1 innings since the beginning of July, but it looks like he will continue bouncing between a traditional starting role and bulk relief.

Swanson gave up a run on three hits in two-thirds of an inning Saturday to record his fourth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Red Sox.

Tim Mayza worked the eighth inning without much trouble and retired the first batter in the ninth, but Swanson proceeded to give up three straight singles after he entered the game and escaped blowing the save only when Connor Wong's high fly to left-center field came up inches short of being a walkoff hit off the Green Monster, and instead led to Reese McGuire getting doubled off second base. Swanson has gone 2-for-2 in converting save chances since Jordan Romano (back) landed on the IL, but Jordan Hicks -- who had pitched three of the prior four days -- appears to be first in line to handle closing duties until Romano returns.

Smith gave up two runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning Saturday but still recorded his 20th save of the season in a 9-8 win over the Marlins.

A one-out, two-run homer by Jake Burger ramped up the pressure on the veteran lefty, but Smith got soft contact out of the next two batters to preserve the Rangers' fifth straight win. The long ball was the first he'd served up since June 14, with Smith posting a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB through 14 innings in between. Despite the late June addition of Aroldis Chapman to the Texas bullpen, Smith's hold on the closer role has been secure, and he still appears to have a shot at collecting 30 saves in a season for the third time in his career.

Munoz allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over one inning to pick up the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Angels.

Munoz walked the tightrope for this one, getting two outs on 14 pitches before allowing four straight batters to reach. He loaded the bases on an intentional walk and then struck out Hunter Renfroe to close it out. Munoz's velocity gives him closer qualities, but he's prone to the occasional nightmarish outing. He's converted all three of his save chances since Paul Sewald was traded to Arizona. Matt Brash, who earned the save Friday, worked a scoreless eighth inning for a hold in Saturday's contest. Given both Munoz and Brash have appeared three times in the last four days, someone like Justin Topa could have a chance to vulture a save should a chance arise Sunday.

Murphy is expected to work as the primary pitcher in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Manager Alex Cora previously suggested that Murphy would work as a primary pitcher behind opener John Schreiber in Saturday's 5-4 loss, but Murphy ended up going unused while Nick Pivetta handled the bulk role. The Red Sox are treating the series finale Sunday as another bullpen day, so Murphy looks like he'll get a chance to pitch extended innings for the first time since July 30.

Bernardino will work as Boston's opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Bernardino opened several games in July, and he will slot into that role for the first time in August. Don't expect him to go more than an inning or two Sunday, especially after he made a 21-pitch appearance out of the bullpen in Saturday's 5-4 loss. Chris Murphy is expected to work as a bulk reliever behind Bernardino.

Holmes picked up the save in Saturday's win over the Astros, striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Holmes entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth and got Jeremy Pena to go down swinging in the first at-bat en route to a 1-2-3 inning. The right-hander has now converted each of his last five save attempts, posting six strikeouts to only one walk over that stretch. He's also allowed just one run since June 23, lowering his season ERA to 2.06.