MLB Player News

Jansen will not be available to pitch Sunday due to back tightness, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Jansen pitched through a back issue that cropped up prior to Saturday's game and was visited by training staff during the ninth inning. "He'll be down tomorrow," Boston manager Alex Cora said. "Hopefully, he'll be back on Monday." If a save situation arises Sunday, Cora could use a returning Chris Martin (shoulder), who's expected to come off the IL before the game, while lefty Richard Bleier and righty John Schreiber are also available. Ryan Brasier, who picked up a save earlier this season, is also an option, but the right-hander threw 21 pitches Saturday and has allowed eight runs over his last 4.2 innings.

Lange recorded his third save of the season in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles, giving up two hits and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The right-hander made things interesting, as he needed 23 pitches (15 strikes) to protect a 7-4 lead, but Lange eventually struck out Ryan Mountcastle to end the matinee. Lange hasn't been tagged with a run in eight straight appearances, posting a 13:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings over that stretch, and while Jason Foley has also been effective in a high-leverage role for Detroit, Lange appears to be tightening his hold on the closer job.

Bautista recorded his seventh save of the season in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

After seeing his control waver Thursday when he walked three batters and needed 31 pitches to secure his sixth save, Bautista's seventh was a relative breeze as he needed only 10 pitches to carve up Detroit's 6-7-8 hitters. The right-hander is showing he was no one-year wonder after breaking out in 2022, and through 13.2 innings this season he sports a 1.32 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and dominant 43.1 percent strikeout rate.

Duran (0-1) took the loss Saturday against Kansas City after allowing a run on no hits and three walks during the ninth inning. He had one strikeout.

Duran was unavailable Friday while attending to some immigration matters, but he was back with the club for Saturday's contest and entered for the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2. The right-hander struggled with his command but wasn't hit hard as a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch factored into the run allowed. He's converted five of six save chances and has a 2.61 ERA and 14:6 K:BB in 10.1 innings this year.

Martin (shoulder) will come off the injured list before Sunday's game against the Guardians, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martin will take the place of Kaleb Ort with Ort already being optioned to Triple-A Worcester after Saturday's game. Martin was placed on the injured list on April 13 with inflammation in his right shoulder, and he should return to a high-leverage role in the later innings starting Sunday.

Boston optioned Ort to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Ort has struggled to a 7.30 ERA over 12.1 innings with a 12:6 K:BB over 12 appearances. The right-hander will move down to Triple-A to make room for Chris Martin (shoulder), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game against the Guardians.

The Orioles returned Hall to Triple-A Norfolk following Saturday's doubleheader with the Tigers, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Hall was up with the big club for just one day after being designated as the 27th man for the doubleheader. The left-hander came on in relief in the Orioles' 7-4 loss in the early game, giving up two runs on five hits over three innings while striking out seven against one walk. Hall will likely be back at some point for Baltimore in the coming weeks.

Jansen was visited by trainers due to back stiffness in his appearance against the Guardians on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports. He allowed one run on three hits while blowing his first save of the season with no walks and a strikeout.

Jansen was visited by the trainers in the ninth inning, and while he was able to continue in the outing, it clearly was bothering the right-hander. Jansen threw 29 pitches in his outing Saturday, so he likely won't be an option for the Boston bullpen regardless of how his back feels Sunday. John Schreiber seems like the best bet to get a save opportunity in games Jansen is unavailable.

Rodriguez was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock by the Rangers on Saturday.

Rodriguez will take the place of Jacob deGrom on the roster after deGrom was placed on the injured list with inflammation in his right elbow. In seven appearances, Rodriguez has registered a 1.93 ERA with a 14:3 K:BB over 9.1 innings with Round Rock, and he pitched a scoreless inning with the Rangers in his only appearance. He'll likely be a middle-innings option for Texas while with the club.

Fairbanks (fingers) will complete a throwing session Saturday and could be available for the Rays' game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that he'll play the situation by ear after Fairbanks was removed from Friday's game due to numbness experienced from his ongoing Raynaud's Syndrome. While Fairbanks may not be available to pitch Saturday, it's at least encouraging that Tampa Bay isn't ready to place the right-handed stopper on the injured list just yet.