MLB Player News
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Jon Gray SP | TEX
Rangers' Jon Gray: Scoops up win in debut
Gray (forearm) was awarded the win in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Athletics after giving up one hit over two scoreless innings of relief.
Activated from the 60-day injured list earlier Thursday after he had been on the shelf for the entire season due to the broken right forearm he suffered in mid-March, Gray was used out of the bullpen for just the fifth time in 228 career big-league appearances. Manager Bruce Bochy immediately threw Gray into the fire in a high-leverage spot, with the right-hander entering with runners on the corners with two outs in a 1-1 game in the top of the sixth. He induced a flyout from Tyler Soderstrom to end the inning, then retired the next five batters he faced before he was lifted after allowing a two-out single to Brent Rooker in the top of the eighth. Though Gray got stretched out to 3.2 innings and 61 pitches during his recent rehab assignment, the Rangers appear content to keep him in the bullpen, where the team has a greater need for impact arms after setup man Chris Martin (calf) recently landed on the IL.
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Felix Bautista RP | BAL
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Unavailable due to injury
Bautista was unavailable to pitch in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Guardians due to an undisclosed injury, Henry Palattella of MLB.com reports.
Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said after the game that Bautista "played catch fully today and looked great," but the reliever sent a message to the dugout in the seventh inning that he was unavailable. It's not clear at this point why Bautista wasn't ready to pitch, but Mansolino said that he expected to have more information on Bautista's status Thursday. If Bautista is forced to miss time, Seranthony Dominguez would likely be next in line for saves, with Andrew Kittredge, Gregory Soto and Yennier Cano also potentially in the mix.
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Robert Garcia RP | TEX
Rangers' Robert Garcia: Secures eighth save
Garcia earned a save against the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over a scoreless inning of work.
Texas held a one-run lead heading into the ninth frame and turned to Garcia to close things out. He allowed a leadoff single but then retired the next three batters in order (including the final two by strikeout) to notch the save. Garcia has two saves among his three outings so far in the second half and appears to be strengthening his hold on the Rangers' closer role. Over his past 16 outings dating back to June 8, the left-hander has posted a 1.80 ERA with a 20:7 K:BB across 15 frames while converting five of six save opportunities.
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Dan Altavilla RP | CHW
White Sox's Dan Altavilla: Picks up save Wednesday
Altavilla allowed one hit and two walks over a scoreless inning Wednesday to record a save over the Rays.
The White Sox carried a two-run lead into the bottom of the ninth frame and called upon Altavilla to slam the door. He didn't do so easily, allowing the winning run to come to the plate following a pair of walks after Jake Mangum singled to open the inning but was tagged out after turning toward second base. Altavilla was ultimately able to get the job done, however, by getting Chandler Simpson to line out to center field to end the contest. Altavilla's save was his second of the season but his first since June 7. Grant Taylor is probably the most likely Chicago reliever to get save opportunities moving forward, though he was used in the sixth frame Wednesday and hasn't notched a save since July 4, so it's far from a settled bullpen situation.
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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Rare blown save vs. Phillies
Chapman was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 9-8 extra-innings win over Philadelphia, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out one.
Chapman served up a home run for the first time since his May 7 outing versus Texas, and it was also his first blown save since May 27 in Milwaukee. The All-Star left-hander should have plenty of leeway as it pertains to receiving future save chances, as Wednesday marked the first time that he conceded an earned run since May 14. On the campaign as a whole, Chapman sports a 1.34 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 60:10 K:BB while converting 17 of his 19 save opportunities across 40.1 innings.
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Emmanuel Clase RP | CLE
Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Nails down 23rd save
Clase picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Orioles, firing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.
Clase nailed down his 23rd save of the season, and it was his seventh straight scoreless outing. The star right-hander has done an excellent job of returning to form this year after posting a 7.84 ERA through April 20. Over his last 35.2 innings, Clase sports a 1.26 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 38:7 K:BB while converting 19 of his 21 save opportunities.
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Chase Lee RP | TOR
Tigers' Chase Lee: Continues to pitch well
Lee tossed two scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Pirates.
Lee allowed six runs across two appearances earlier this month, but he's bounced back with three straight scoreless outings. The rookie righty has been good overall with a 3.31 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 35.1 innings this year. Lee generally sees low-leverage work, which limits his fantasy upside, though the 26-year-old is making a case for a larger role in future seasons based on his promising debut campaign.
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Nick Hernandez RP | HOU
Astros' Nick Hernandez: Sent back to Triple-A
The Astros optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land after Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hernandez was recalled by the Astros on Tuesday to fill out the 26-man roster after Lance McCullers (finger) was placed on the 15-day injured list. However, Hernandez will head back to Triple-A, and that roster spot will be filled by Jason Alexander, who is expected to start against the Athletics on Thursday. Hernandez has spent most of the season in Triple-A, where he has a 1.70 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, three saves and a 48:17 K:BB across 37 innings.
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Zack Kelly RP | BOS
Red Sox's Zack Kelly: Set to begin rehab assignment
Kelly (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Greenville on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Kelly tweaked his right oblique during a relief appearance against the Blue Jays in late June, which prompted his placement on the 15-day injured list. The veteran right-hander has recovered enough to embark on a rehab assignment, and he'll need multiple appearances before returning to the Red Sox's bullpen. Kelly posted a 5.56 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 22.2 innings prior to his injury.
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Jake Eder SP | WAS
Angels' Jake Eder: Stuck with loss as primary pitcher
Eder (0-1) took the loss Tuesday as the Angels were downed 6-3 by the Mets, coughing up five runs on seven hits and a walk over six relief innings. He struck out seven.
The left-hander entered the game in the third inning as the third Angels pitcher to take the mound, and Eder stuck around to the bitter end, tossing 67 of 98 pitches for strikes but serving up a three-run homer to Pete Alonso in the third that put the Mets in the lead for good. Eder has taken the ball every fifth day since July 13 and tossed at least 50 pitches in all three long-relief outings, but his 5.54 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB over 13 innings during that span aren't exactly encouraging. It's unclear what the team's plans are for the fifth starter spot, but if Eder stays on schedule his next appearance will come at home early next week against the Rangers.