MLB Player News

Hicks earned a save against Cleveland on Monday, allowing one hit and one walk in one scoreless inning.

Hicks got the call from the bullpen with the Blue Jays up 3-1 in the ninth frame. The right-hander quickly found himself in trouble after hitting the first batter he faced and then yielding a single to Jose Ramirez. However, Hicks was able to retire the next two hitters, and after loading the bases by walking Gabriel Arias, he got Brayan Rocchio to ground out to escape the jam. It wasn't a smooth conversion by any means, but Hicks has been successful in both his save chances since joining Toronto and may get another opportunity or two before Jordan Romano (back) returns to reclaim the ninth-inning job.

Estevez (5-3) allowed five runs on three hits and two walks in one-third of an inning Monday versus the Giants, taking the loss and a blown save.

For the third time in five outings, Estevez allowed at least four runs. In that span, he's given up 15 runs (nine earned) across 5.1 innings while taking his first two blown saves of the season. The Angels' closer now has a 3.57 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 56:27 K:BB while converting 23 of 25 save chances through 45.1 innings. He's been playing with fire all year with a 5.4 BB/9, and it appears to be catching up to him now. For now, the Angels haven't indicated they'll remove Estevez from the closer role, but he'll need to put together some scoreless outings to restore confidence.

Smith walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Athletics.

Smith put together a much better effort than in his last appearance Saturday, when he gave up two runs in one inning. He's converted a save in each of his last four outings. The veteran southpaw is now at a 3.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 43:10 K:BB with 21 saves and five holds over 42 innings this season. Smith continues to hold a noticeable edge over Aroldis Chapman for ninth-inning duties, though both have generally pitched well aside from a rare hiccup lately.

Hernandez (1-7) took the loss Monday versus the Red Sox, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.

Hernandez was brought in to keep the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, but instead loaded the bases. Pablo Reyes unloaded them with a walk-off grand slam. Hernandez gave up just two runs over 13.1 innings in July, but he's already surrendered six runs in 2.2 innings in August. He's now at a 4.20 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 66:19 K:BB through 55.2 innings this season. Hernandez is still likely to see most of the Royals' save chances, but on a team that doesn't win much, he can't be counted on for a steady stream of saves.

Jansen (3-5) struck out two batters in a scoreless inning Monday. He earned a win against the Royals.

Jansen fired a quick shutout frame and was given a win after the Red Sox walked off in the ninth inning. He dropped his ERA back down to 2.97 with a 44:14 K:BB after picking up his first win since June 11. Jansen has allowed one run while striking out nine over his last 7.2 frames.

Lange allowed one run on three walks and a hit batter across an inning of work in Monday's 9-3 loss to the Twins.

After getting pulled from a save opportunity Saturday due to walking three batters, Lange struggled with his command again Monday. He's actually walked three batters in each of his last three games, bringing the righty to 37 free passes this year in just 45 innings. Lange has good raw stuff, but the Tigers may need to go in a different direction in the closer role at some point if the wildness keeps up.

The Angels recalled Weiss from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Weiss was brought up to take the roster spot of Reynaldo Lopez, who was placed on the bereavement list Sunday. The 31-year-old right-hander appeared in six games with the big club earlier this season and posted a 5.06 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB in 5.1 innings.

The Tigers designated Logue for assignment Monday.

Logue has appeared in only three games in the majors this season and gave up a combined nine earned runs in his last two outings. He was optioned to Triple-A on July 27 and is expected to remain with Toledo if he clears waivers. He'll cede his spot on the 40-man roster to infielder Isan Diaz, who was claimed off waivers from the Giants.

The Yankees recalled Ramirez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Ramirez had been optioned to Triple-A on Friday, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the Yankees just three days later after left-hander Carlos Rodon (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Since Rodon lasted just 2.2 innings into his start Sunday against the Astros before departing with the injury, Ramirez will be called upon to provide a fresh arm to a taxed bullpen. Ramirez has compiled a 2.48 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 32.2 innings in the New York bullpen this season.

The Yankees reinstated Loaisiga (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

In order to open up a spot for Loaisiga on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-hander Deivi Garcia for assignment. Loaisiga is back with the Yankees for the first time since early April, when he was shut down due to a bone spur in his right elbow. He ultimately required surgery but was cleared to start a throwing program in mid-June before being sent out for a rehab assignment July 30. Loaisiga pitched well in his three rehab appearances and has served as a high-leverage reliever for the Yankees when healthy over the past three seasons, but manager Aaron Boone could look to ease the right-hander back into the bullpen with a few lower-pressure innings before deploying him as a setup man.