MLB Player News

Smith picked up the save in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the White Sox, allowing one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Smith entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth and gave up a one-out single to Oscar Colas. However, the lefty veteran was able to run right through the next two batters, getting both to go down swinging, to secure his 19th save of the season. Smith has now converted his last five save opportunities, allowing just one run and no walks over a stretch spanning six innings.

Estevez (5-2) took the loss and blew a save against the Mariners on Thursday, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three batters over one inning.

Estevez entered the contest a perfect 23-for-23 in save opportunities, but that fantastic run came to an end Thursday. The right-hander walked the first two batters he faced before a Dominic Canzone single loaded the bases. Estevez bounced back to strike out Teoscar Hernandez but then saw the game turn on its head when Cade Marlowe belted a grand slam on an 0-2 pitch. Estevez probably isn't yet in danger of losing his closing gig given his strong overall results this season, though he's struggled of late, allowing nine runs over four frames across his past three appearances.

Munoz earned a save against the Angels on Thursday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth inning.

After Seattle rallied to take the lead with a four-run ninth inning, Munoz was summoned to slam the door on the Angels. He did so with aplomb, fanning all three batters he faced on 16 pitches. By doing so, Munoz notched a save for the second straight day. He appears to be the clear closer of choice for Seattle with Paul Sewald now in Arizona.

Ryan was selected to the Mariners' 40-man roster on Thursday and optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

Ryan likely had another opt-out in his minor-league contract with Seattle, thus triggering this move. The 28-year-old right-hander will remain stationed at Tacoma, where he has pitched to a 3.72 ERA and 38:15 K:BB through 38.2 innings this season.

Oakland optioned Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Harris was lit up for eight earned runs over three innings in a brutal start Wednesday night against the Dodgers. The 26-year-old left-hander has posted a 6.98 ERA across his first 59.1 major-league innings this season.

Oakland selected Neal's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Neal has allowed three earned runs in 3.1 innings of work this season at the major-league level, and he hasn't been much better on the farm. The 34-year-old right-hander figures to operate in long relief in his return to the Athletics, though there is an open rotation spot.

Jimenez (shoulder) allowed five earned runs on one hit, three walks, a hit batsman and a wild pitch over one inning in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Albuquerque on Wednesday. He struck out one.

Jimenez's disastrous performance in what was already his fifth rehab appearance is of at least some concern, as it also marked the second time in the last three outings he surrendered multiple earned runs. The significant lack of control Wednesday was also alarming, and Jimenez got only 14 of his 35 pitches into the strike zone overall. The right-hander still has some time to work out the kinks on the farm, but if he doesn't demonstrate notable improvement in subsequent appearances, it's not inconceivable he'd remain at the Triple-A level for the time being once activated.

Topa, who recorded his 17th hold in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox with a scoreless one-third of an inning, could see some closing opportunities in the wake of Paul Sewald's trade to the Diamondbacks on Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Topa was called on to get the last out of the eighth inning Wednesday with the Mariners holding a three-run lead, but Kramer notes the 32-year-old could occasionally see higher-leverage opportunities than that the rest of the way. Topa has given up just four earned runs across the 16.2 innings covering his last 20 appearances while producing a 16:3 K:BB, and his 59.8 percent groundball rate for the season speaks to his ability to keep the ball down. Topa has primarily been called on for seventh- and eighth-inning work thus far, yet with manager Scott Servais noting he'll "mix and match" to an extent with the closer role moving forward, the right-hander could get some save chances as well.

Curry came on in relief of starter Gavin Williams in Tuesday's 2-0 loss to the Astros, covering 1.2 scoreless innings while striking out three and giving up two hits and no walks.

Curry made three of his previous four appearances as a starter, though he never surpassed three innings in any of those outings. His usage in relief Tuesday likely suggests he won't be a candidate to start Saturday versus the White Sox, when the Guardians will need to add a new fifth member of the rotation to the mix. After building up to 7.1 innings in his latest rehab start last Sunday, Peyton Battenfield (shoulder) could be activated from the 60-day injured list to fill the open rotation spot. The door might not be closed on Curry starting this weekend, however, as Cleveland could require another replacement in the rotation for Sunday's series finale if Noah Syndergaard (lower leg) isn't ready to pitch.

Green (elbow) is scheduled for another rehab appearance Saturday with Triple-A Buffalo, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

There seems to be a good chance that it will be his final outing on the farm. More than 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery, Green has tallied six strikeouts with no walks through five rehab outings (five innings) between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Triple-A. The 32-year-old right-hander could prove to be a high-leverage weapon for Toronto down the stretch.