MLB Player News

Gomez earned a save against the Athletics on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

Four Minnesota pitchers combined to hold the A's scoreless over eight frames, and Gomez was given the ball to begin the ninth. The right-hander didn't take long to close things out and needed just eight pitches (six strikes) to retire the side in order. Gomez entered the campaign with just one career regular-season save on his ledger, but he's emerged as the Twins' primary closer this season. He's a perfect 13-for-13 on save opportunities, and since recording his first save April 18, Gomez has posted a standout 2.04 ERA along with a 34:16 K:BB over 35.1 innings spanning 37 appearances.

Rojas pitched four scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Saturday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out five batters.

Rojas made his fourth start of the season as an emergency replacement for Mike Paredes, who was a late scratch due to an oblique injury. Though there was no expectation that Rojas would go very deep after having thrown fewer than 50 pitches in each of his three outings since being recalled from Triple-A on July 9, the left-hander ended up hurling 56 pitches Saturday and lasted four frames, tying his longest big-league start of the campaign. Rojas didn't go long enough to qualify for the victory, but he certainly played a big part in Minnesota's win, limiting the A's to just two baserunners (on a single and a walk) and zero runs. Rojas has plenty of experience as a starter in the minors, and he's a candidate to move into the rotation if Paredes and/or Joe Ryan (arm) needs to miss time.

Hader earned a save against the White Sox on Saturday by striking out both batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Houston entered the bottom of the ninth with a 4-0 lead and Bennett Sousa on the mound. However, Sousa gave up a run on a pair of one-out singles and an error, at which point Hader was summoned from the bullpen. The veteran closer made sure that Chicago didn't come any closer by striking out both batters he faced on a combined 10 pitches. Hader continues to roll as one of the league's top closers -- after missing the first two months of the season due to a bicep injury, he's 12-for-12 in save chances while posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB over 20 innings spanning 22 appearances.

Bednar secured the save Saturday against Philadelphia, throwing a clean ninth inning.

Bednar pushed his scoreless streak up to 23.2 innings Saturday. The 31-year-old right-hander last blew a save during his May 17 outing against the Mets, successfully converting each of his last 10 save opportunities. Through 44.2 innings on the year, Bednar sports a 2.42 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 49:14 K:BB with 20 saves in 22 attempts.

Baker secured the save Saturday against Cleveland, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning.

Baker extended his scoreless streak to eight innings Saturday. Additionally, the right-hander last failed to convert a save chance during his May 13 outing in Toronto, which is a stretch of 22 outings without a blown save. Through 39.1 innings in 2026, Baker boasts a 1.60 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB with 27 saves in 30 opportunities.

Lange gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Tigers.

The 30-year-old right-hander has had a rough July, getting tagged for eight earned runs in 5.2 innings across six appearances to leave him with a bloated 6.00 ERA on the season. However, Lange continues to hold down the fort as the Royals' closer. Carlos Estevez (shoulder) remains without a clear timeline for his return, but with Kansas City likely to be sellers at the trade deadline, the biggest threat to Lange's save total might be the chance he gets dealt to a contender and lands in a lower-leverage role.

Minnesota reinstated Raya (shoulder) from the injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A St. Paul, Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com reports.

After missing a little over two weeks with a right shoulder impingement, Raya is healthy again and will make his way to the Triple-A squad. Raya made just three appearances with the big-league club before being sidelined. With St. Paul, the 23-year-old has posted a 6.26 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 44:16 K:BB in 41.2 innings.

Basso is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher against the Twins on Saturday.

Per Jason Burke of Roundtable.io, Mason Barnett was originally scheduled to start for the Athletics on Saturday. Instead, the club will turn to an opener in the form of Basso, who has started in two games for Triple-A Las Vegas this season. He has a 6.48 ERA and 1.92 WHIP across 8.1 innings in the majors this season.

Barnett is not listed as the Athletics' starter for Saturday's game against the Twins.

Jason Burke of Roundtable.io originally reported that Barnett would start Saturday. Instead, it'll be left-hander Brady Basso who will serve as the opener in what is shaping up to be a bullpen game for the Athletics. Barnett could still pitch in bulk relief Saturday. He has a 4.64 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 21.1 innings this season.

The Astros recalled King from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Julia Morales of Space City Home Network reports.

King was sent down to Triple-A last week after giving up eight earned runs over his last four outings (spanning five innings). Prior to that four-game stretch, he boasted a 2.02 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 12 holds, six saves (on nine chances) and a 31:14 K:BB across 40 innings. Despite his recent struggles, King is back with the big club after the Astros placed Spencer Arrighetti (foot) on the 15-day injured list.