MLB Player News

Duran recorded his 18th save of the season in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Cardinals, giving up a run on a solo home run while striking out two in the ninth inning.

Tyler O'Neill drove a 102-mph Duran fastball over the wall in right field to make things interesting, but the Twins' closer shook it off and fanned Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson to end the night. Duran has looked a little vulnerable lately, getting tagged for runs in three straight appearances and posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over 10.2 innings since the beginning of July despite a 15:3 K:BB, but his spot at the head of the bullpen doesn't appear to be in any jeopardy.

Chapman allowed one hit and struck out three over one inning in to earn a hold in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the White Sox.

Chapman made his first appearance in eight days, showing no rust in a 15-pitch outing (11 strikes). The left-hander blew up in his previous appearance, giving up three runs and walking two in a loss to the Astros, but that's been the lone blemish since joining the Rangers in late June. Chapman has allowed five hits and two walks while striking out 17 over nine innings in a Texas uniform.

Sborz struck out one and retired all three batters he faced in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the White Sox.

Starter Andrew Heaney was pulled from a 1-0 game after giving up a single to lead off the seventh inning with the heart of Chicago's order due up. Texas manager Bruce Bochy chose Sborz to face Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Benintendi, and the reliever dispatched them on nine pitches (seven strikes). The right-hander was recently activated off the injured list, and the manager has him throwing high-leverage innings -- a role Sborz earned with a strong June prior to a biceps injury. Aroldis Chapman and Will Smith followed with perfect innings to protect the shutout.

Hernandez (1-6) allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and a walk while striking out two over one inning to earn the extra-inning win Tuesday over the Mets.

Hernandez didn't pitch well in the 10th inning, giving up a two-run home run to Francisco Alvarez. The Royals were able to rally back and get a walk-off balk for the win. Hernandez is now in the driver's seat to be the Royals' closer after Scott Barlow was dealt to San Diego earlier Tuesday. Hernandez has a mediocre 3.67 ERA, but a 1.00 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB over 54 innings suggest he has the stuff to handle late-inning assignments. There won't be a lot of save chances while pitching for a last-place team, but he's worth a speculative add in fantasy on the strikeout upside alone.

Fairbanks picked up the save Tuesday against the Yankees, striking out one over one-third of an inning.

After Colin Poche allowed two runs in the ninth inning, Fairbanks came on to record the final out, striking out Giancarlo Stanton to earn his 14th save. The 29-year-old right-hander has converted his last 11 save opportunities, allowing just three runs over 16 innings in that span. Overall, Fairbanks sports a sparkling 1.80 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB across 25 innings this season.

Jansen struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Mariners.

Jansen had no trouble protecting a two-run lead, bouncing back after giving up a walk-off home run Saturday versus the Giants. The Boston closer has converted his last 15 save chances, and he's up to 24 saves in 27 tries this season. He's maintained a 3.06 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 42:14 K:BB through 35.1 innings.

Smith picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Smith was called on in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead and needed just nine pitches to retire the side in order. Since being named a co-closer with Aroldis Chapman coming out of the All-Star break, Smith has converted each of his three save opportunities, allowing just one run on four hits across 6.2 innings in that span.

The Yankees optioned Howard to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

After being dealt from Texas to the Yankees on Tuesday in exchange for cash, Howard will head back to Triple-A. The 27-year-old righty holds a 5.40 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 18.1 frames in the minors this season and hasn't been very effective throughout his big-league career.

Vest (leg) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

A strained right leg has kept Vest on the shelf since late June, and he appears to be approaching a return to Detroit's bullpen. The 28-year-old righty holds a 2.73 ERA and 1.08 WHIP through 29.2 innings and figures to return within a week.

The Royals recalled Kowar from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kowar and James McArthur will both come up from the minors to make up for the departures of Scott Barlow and Ryan Yarbrough at Tuesday's trade deadline. With a 9.83 ERA and 2.13 WHIP through 57.2 career MLB innings, Kowar offers very little fantasy value.