MLB Player News

Speier picked up the save Sunday against the Astros. He allowed one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

The Mariners turned to Speier in the ninth after Matt Brash and Andres Munoz each pitched earlier in the contest. The 28-year-old left-hander struck out Yordan Alvarez and Yainer Diaz before working around a two-out single to close out a 7-6 win. Speier hasn't allowed a run in his last 13 appearances (11.1 innings). His ERA is down to 3.16 this season with a 0.94 WHIP and 46:6 K:BB across 42.2 innings. While Munoz still figures to see the majority of save chances in Seattle, Speier has proven to be a strong high-leverage option, particularly against left-handers.

Wittgren signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Wittgren found work with Seattle after recently parting ways with the Royals, who moved him off the 40-man roster after he posted a 4.97 ERA in 27 appearances this season. He had four saves, 22 holds and a 2.99 ERA for Cleveland between the 2019 and 2020 campaigns, but he's struggled to a 5.24 ERA over the past three seasons.

Lange pitched a clean ninth to pick up the save in Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Guardians.

Entering with a three-run cushion, Lange needed just 12 pitches to finish off the Guardians for his 18th save. This was the sixth consecutive appearance for Lange in which he didn't allow a hit, but more notable is that he also didn't allow a free pass after having walked 11 batters in his previous five innings. He now holds a 3.70 ERA to go along with a 1.36 WHIP and 62 strikeouts in 48.2 innings.

The Athletics recalled Jimenez from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Jimenez saved 11 games for Oakland a season ago, but he's struggled to return to form in 2023 after suffering a strained right shoulder in mid-April that cost him significant time. He was activated from the 60-day injured list earlier this month but made just one appearance out of the big-league bullpen before he was optioned to Las Vegas. Since reporting to Triple-A, Jimenez has looked much sharper, striking out nine over 4.1 no-hit innings across four appearances to earn the call back to Oakland. Trevor May looks to have solidified himself as Oakland's closer for the moment, but Jimenez could quickly rise up the depth chart and emerge as a key setup man.

The Athletics placed Pruitt on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right forearm strain.

Oakland called up Dany Jimenez from Triple-A Las Vegas to provide the club with another right-handed arm out of the bullpen while Pruitt is on the shelf. Depending on the severity of the strain, Pruitt could be done for the season and may even need Tommy John surgery to address the injury. More information on the extent of Pruitt's injury should come within the next few days once he undergoes additional testing. The 33-year-old has compiled a 2.98 ERA and 1.16 WHIP while striking out 30 over 48.1 innings this season.

Stewart (elbow) has been throwing off flat ground from 90 feet as of Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Slowly but surely, Stewart is increasing his throwing distance as he works his way back from right elbow soreness. Twins head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said that Stewart could be cleared to begin throwing bullpen sessions by late August, which would keep hope alive for a September return from the 60-day injured list.

Ortega was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

After getting sent down to Rochester on July 26, Ortega turned in a 0.87 ERA with 15 strikeouts against two walks across 10.1 innings over his seven appearances. He'll now get the chance to fill a middle-innings role in the Minnesota bullpen after the Twins optioned the struggling Jordan Balazovic to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Twins optioned Balazovic to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Balazovic will head back to the minors after giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over an inning out of the bullpen in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Pirates. He's struggled with an 8.71 ERA and 7:8 K:BB ratio in 10.1 innings over his last seven appearances. Balazovic could return to the Twins in September if he can rebound with a sustained run of success at Triple-A.

Romano picked up the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over Cincinnati. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Romano was tasked with preserving a one-run lead in the ninth inning and immediately found himself in hot water, allowing the first two batters to reach on a walk and a base hit. The All-Star closer then induced a flyout, a swinging strikeout and a groundout to end the threat and earn his 30th save. Romano has successfully converted both of his save opportunities since his return from the injured list.

Barria gave up nine runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 2.1 innings in a loss to the Rays in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday.

Angels starter Patrick Sandoval had a rough outing of his own, and Los Angeles was already down 6-0 when Barria entered in the bottom of the fifth. Things got much worse for the team when Barria surrendered seven runs in the following frame, but manager Phil Nevin let the right-hander take his lumps, keeping him in the contest for another inning, during which he allowed two more runs. While the first two knocks the Rays notched against Barria were infield singles, the veteran gave up plenty of hard contact as well and served up three homers. He's been tagged for 13 runs over 3.1 frames across his past two outings, raising his ERA from 3.86 all the way up to 5.32.