MLB Player News

Long (0-1) took the loss as an opener against the Red Sox on Friday, allowing three earned runs on three hits and a walk over one-plus inning. He struck out two.

Long's considerably busy line is the byproduct of two very different frames. The left-hander got through the opening inning unscathed, working around a Justin Turner single. However, Long failed to retire any of the three hitters he faced to open the second inning, leaving the bases loaded for Luis Medina. All three inherited runners eventually came across, saddling Long with his second three-earned-run tally in the last four outings. Despite the occasional hiccup, Long has contributed two saves and two holds along with a serviceable 4.36 ERA across 26 appearances.

Cisnero allowed five runs on three hits while not recording any outs in Friday's loss to the Blue Jays. He walked two.

Cisnero came on to pitch the ninth inning with Toronto up 7-2 and quickly made things worse. He allowed two singles and two walks before uncorking a wild pitch. Cisnero then gave up a three-run home run to Whit Merrifield before getting the hook. The righty came into the contest with a 2.18 ERA but that skyrocketed to 3.55. Despite the hiccup, Cisnero should maintain a key role in Detroit's bullpen.

Bradford (1-1) picked up the win in Friday's 7-2 victory over the Nationals, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out one.

While he wasn't dominant, the rookie southpaw generated plenty of soft contact en route to his first career big-league win. Bradford has a 2.70 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB through 16,2 innings over five appearances (three starts) since the beginning of June, and he's the Rangers' top option right now as a sixth starter/swingman, a role which gives him some fantasy appeal considering the strength of the offense supporting him.

Graveman allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning Friday. He struck out one batter and recorded a save against St. Louis.

Graveman put two runners on base after recording two outs but was able to hang on for the save in the 8-7 win. It was his first save chance since June 24 and his first conversion since June 8. Graveman lowered his season ERA to 2.77 with a 37:18 K:BB and seven saves through 39 innings.

Bautista allowed a walk and struck out three over two scoreless, hitless innings to earn the win Friday over the Twins.

Bautista kept the game tied at 1-1 in the ninth inning and stayed in for the 10th, successfully upholding a two-run lead. Since the start of June, he's allowed just one run and nine baserunners over 15 innings. The closer has a stellar 1.07 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 84:19 K:BB, 23 saves and five blown saves through 42 innings over 39 appearances.

Pivetta (5-5) yielded three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk over five innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over Oakland.

Pivetta came out of the bullpen in the third inning and was solid in a bulk relief role, aside from the two-run shot he coughed up to Seth Brown in the seventh. Since moving to the bullpen in May, Pivetta has posted a 2.79 ERA with a 39:12 K:BB through 29 frames. With his recent success, he'll likely maintain his role following openers for the time being.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Pivetta will remain in a bulk relief role, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Pivetta has been building up his pitch count effectively, even covering five innings behind opener Brennan Bernardino in Friday's 7-3 win over the Athletics. There was talk of Pivetta starting Sunday's first-half finale versus Oakland, but Cora likes the versatility he provides out of the bullpen.

Green (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice Saturday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Green already has multiple live BP sessions under his belt and could soon head out on a minor-league rehab assignment if his side work continues to go well. He is now more than 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery and figures to be an option for the Blue Jays' bullpen around the end of July.

Cimber (shoulder) has yet to resume throwing, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Cimber was placed on the injured list June 24 with a right shoulder impingement, which actually turned out to be a rhomboid strain. He could remain on the shelf through much or all of July.

Thielbar (oblique) threw a bullpen session Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Thielbar threw 16 pitches during his session with a velocity of roughly 85 mph. He said afterwards that he was pleased with his performance, though there is still quite a bit of work yet to be done. Thielbar has been on the shelf since June 9 and is expected to return shortly after the All-Star break.