MLB Player News

Clase picked up the save in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Blue Jays, striking out two over a perfect inning.

Clase entered the contest with a one-run lead in the top of the ninth and took care of business, striking out Daulton Varsho on three straight pitches before finishing the inning with another strikeout against Paul DeJong. The right-hander needed just 11 pitches to record his 31st save of the season. Clase has not allowed an earned run since July 4 and has seven strikeouts to only one walk through four August appearances.

Zerpa is expected to serve in a bulk-relief role behind opener Dylan Coleman in Friday's game against the Cardinals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Zerpa looks like he'll get the first chance to fill the opening in the Kansas City rotation that was created when Zack Greinke (elbow) moved to the injured list. Though Zerpa has made only three appearances in the big leagues in 2023 while spending a significant chunk of time on the injured list, he had been serving as a starter at Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up Aug. 1. Over six outings with Omaha, Zerpa compiled a 4.73 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 26.2 innings.

Bautista picked up the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Astros, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over one inning.

Bautista entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth inning and got Jake Meyers to fly out before things got dicey. The right-handed reliever surrendered a double to Jose Altuve and then proceeded to walk two of the next three batters, setting up an RBI single for Yainer Diaz. Bautista was still able to escape with his 31st save of the season, though he's now allowed runs in back-to-back appearances after previously not allowing a run since June 24.

Jansen earned a save against the Royals on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Jansen threw 11 of 16 pitches for a strike while retiring the side in order in the ninth, getting a strikeout to begin and end the frame. The veteran reliever picked up his second save in as many days and boosted his season total to 26, tied for eighth in the majors. Jansen is up to 417 saves in his career, five away from Billy Wagner for sixth place all-time.

Littell (2-3) took the loss against St. Louis on Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

Littell held the Cardinals scoreless through three frames before serving up a two-run homer to Andrew Knizner in the fourth. St. Louis tacked on another run against the right-hander in the sixth, which was enough to send him to his third loss. Despite the defeat, Littell continues to look good in his new role as a traditional starter, tossing his second straight quality start. In three games since moving into the rotation, he's posted a 2.65 ERA and 10:1 K:BB over 17 innings.

Coleman will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Cardinals, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Coleman will be making his first career major-league start Friday, though he will likely only remain in the game for an inning or two before handing things over to Angel Zerpa, who will pitch bulk innings. Coleman hasn't performed very well in the majors this season, accumulating a 10.05 ERA and 2.09 WHIP through 14.1 frames.

Brieske fired two perfect innings to pick up the save Thursday against the Twins.

Brieske was called upon in the eighth inning to preserve a 3-0 lead and delivered two perfect innings to secure the save. With two of the team's last three saves, the 25-year-old has added another layer of complexity to Detroit's bullpen hierarchy.

Brash (8-3) got the win over the Padres on Wednesday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded a strikeout.

Brash wrapped up his one frame on a scant 10 pitches, and he was rewarded for preserving the 1-1 tie when Seattle broke out for a five-run tally in the home half of the eighth. The right-hander has already benefited fantasy managers throughout the season with a robust amount of holds and elite strikeout numbers, but he's now logged three winning decisions and converted one save chance since Paul Sewald was traded to the Diamondbacks on July 31.

Moore earned a hold against the Giants on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out one batter in a hitless and scoreless inning.

Moore worked as the eighth-inning bridge to closer Carlos Estevez, and he navigated around a one-out walk to keep San Francisco off the scoreboard. The lefty reliever missed nearly eight weeks of action between mid-May and mid-July due to an oblique injury, but, remarkably, he still leads the Angels -- and is tied for ninth in the AL -- with 17 holds. Moore's outstanding stat line includes a 1.70 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB over 37 innings.

Hendriks (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

To create room on the 40-man roster, the White Sox placed Hendricks on the 60-day injured list. The closer recently underwent Tommy John surgery, so he is sidelined until late in the 2024 season. In a corresponding move, the White Sox claimed reliever Deivi Garcia off waivers from the Yankees.