MLB Player News
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Robert Garcia RP | TEX
Rangers' Robert Garcia: Takes fourth blown save
Garcia (1-6) allowed two runs on two hits while failing to record an out, taking the loss and a blown save versus the Mariners on Friday.
Garcia gave up a walk-off two-run home run to J.P. Crawford. This was Garcia's first blown save since June 14 versus the White Sox, though he also took a pair of losses while pitching to a 1.13 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over eight innings in July. The Rangers added Phil Maton from the Cardinals and Danny Coulombe from the Twins at the trade deadline, both of whom earned holds prior to Garcia's blown save. That suggests Garcia will maintain closing duties for now, though any extended struggles will likely cost him the role. He's managed a 3.05 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB with nine saves, 11 holds and four blown saves over 41.1 innings this season.
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Justin Topa RP | MIN
Twins' Justin Topa: Moving to high-leverage role
Topa is likely to be used as the primary setup man ahead of new closer Cole Sands after the Twins traded most of their bullpen Thursday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He allowed a hit in a scoreless seventh inning in Friday's 3-2 loss against the Guardians.
Topa was used in the seventh inning with the Twins tied 2-2, which was a high-leverage role, though he was not being used with a lead. Still, Baldelli's comments show Topa will have an increased role in the bullpen and could be a candidate for save chances if Sands struggles.
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Cole Sands RP | MIN
Twins' Cole Sands: Set for closer role
Sands will likely work as the primary closer after the trades of Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Louis Varland, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Sands and Justin Topa to be prepared for late-inning high-leverage roles.
Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he's taken a step back this season with just an 18.8 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent last season. He's had the most success of the remaining bullpen arms, so he'll likely get a decent trial in the role. Topa will become the primary setup man.
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Camilo Doval RP | NYY
Yankees' Camilo Doval: Loss, blown save in Yankees debut
Doval (4-3) was charged with the loss and a blown save in Friday's 13-12 loss to the Marlins, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk with no strikeouts in one-third of an inning.
Doval disappointed in his Yankees debut, taking his fifth blown save of the season. The hierarchy of New York's new-look bullpen following the acquisition of David Bednar is not entirely settled, though it's worth noting that Doval has struggled quite a bit recently and is seeing his fantasy stock drop. Since the start of June, the right-hander has a 5.64 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 28:16 K:BB across 22.1 innings.
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David Bednar RP | NYY
Yankees' David Bednar: Takes blown save in team debut
Bednar was charged with a blown save in Friday's 13-12 loss to the Marlins, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks in 1.2 innings. He struck out two.
Bednar didn't make an encouraging first impression in his team debut, giving up multiple runs for the first time since his May 19 outing versus the Reds. The 30-year-old right-hander should still work with the Yankees' high-leverage group going forward despite Friday's flop -- Bednar owns a 2.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 52:8 K:BB over his last 38.2 innings since and including April 19.
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Cooper Criswell RP | NYM
Red Sox's Cooper Criswell: Goes seven strong in spot start
Criswell did not factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Astros, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts over seven innings.
Criswell allowed just a solo homer in the second inning and otherwise kept the Astros in check, needing only 84 pitches to complete seven strong frames in his first start and seventh major-league appearance of the season. The 29-year-old now owns a 3.57 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB across 17.2 innings with the Red Sox, though Friday's outing was likely just a spot start with Dustin May in line to take the fifth spot in the team's rotation.
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Caleb Boushley RP | TB
Rangers' Caleb Boushley: Sent down to Triple-A
The Rangers optioned Boushley to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.
Boushley will head back to the minors to make room on Texas' pitching staff for new acquisition Merrill Kelly. Boushley gave up three runs in 5.1 innings during his most recent stint in the big leagues, giving him a 5.05 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP through 35.2 innings on the season.
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Jacob Latz RP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Pushed back to Triple-A
The Rangers optioned Latz to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.
After giving up three runs (two earned) in 1.1 innings during Texas' loss to Seattle on Thursday, Latz will be sent back to Triple-A to help make room for new additions Danny Coulombe and Phil Maton. Despite his latest outing, Latz still owns a 3.23 ERA through 55.2 innings with Texas this year, making him a safe bet to return to Arlington at some point down the line.
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Sam Bachman RP | LAA
Angels' Sam Bachman: Relegated to Triple-A
The Angels optioned Bachman to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
The 25-year-old righty will be pushed off the 26-man roster in order to clear space in the Halos' bullpen for the newly acquired Andrew Chafin. Bachman owns a 5.02 ERA and 1.47 WHIP through 14.1 innings in the majors this season but could still return to Anaheim later in the year as bullpen depth.
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Joe Rock P | TB
Rays' Joe Rock: Back to Triple-A
The Rays optioned Rock to Triple-A Durham on Friday.
Rock was summoned to the majors Thursday and allowed two hits and no walks while striking out five across three scoreless innings during the Rays' 7-4 loss to the Yankees. He'll head back to Triple-A, where he has started in 15 of 20 games and has a 4.63 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 71:33 K:BB across 81.2 innings.