MLB Player News

Otto did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on three hits with one walk over 5.2 innings against the Guardians. He struck out three.

After walking Steven Kwan on four straight pitches to start the game, Otto went on to retire the next 12 batters he faced. His only major mistake on the night came in the fifth when he left a slider over the plate and served up a solo homer to Oscar Gonzalez to lead off the inning. The right-hander has earned a win in just two of his 12 starts since the All-Star break. He's projected to take the mound again next week against the Angels.

Jimenez's back injury won't require surgery, so the righty expects to be ready for the start of spring training, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Jimenez had the best season of his career this year, with his 3.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 5.6 percent walk rate representing career lows while his 33.3 percent strikeout rate stands as a career high. His year ended slightly prematurely due to a lumbar spine strain, but the issue isn't expected to carry over into next season.

Kelly was reinstated from the family medical leave list Saturday.

Kelly had been away from the team since Sunday. His return will push Tanner Banks back to the minors. Kelly hasn't given up a run in any of his last five appearances, but that's only served to bring his ERA down to 6.42.

Jimenez was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right lumbar spine strain Saturday.

Jimenez had a career-best season in 2022 but allowed four runs in 1.2 innings over his last two appearances. It's possible that he was bothered by his back injury during those outings, and he'll be unavailable for the remainder of the season after landing on the injured list. The 27-year-old converted two of four save chances and picked up 11 holds while posting a 3.49 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 56.2 innings over 62 appearances this year.

Banks was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Banks spent just under a week in the major-league bullpen, and he allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out nine in six innings over three appearances. However, he'll head back to the minors after Joe Kelly was reinstated from the family medical leave list Saturday.

Ortega (undisclosed) was placed on Triple-A Salt Lake's 7-day injured list Friday.

The cause of Ortega's move to the IL is unclear, but he last pitched for Salt Lake on Tuesday. The right-hander has spent much of the season in the majors, posting a 3.71 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB over 34 innings for the Angels.

Loaisiga (2-3) earned the win over Boston on Friday, allowing two hits and striking out two batters over two scoreless innings.

Loaisiga took over in the top of the eighth inning with the score tied 4-4 and quickly retired the side in order. After the Yankees scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the frame, Loaisiga was allowed to return in the ninth to close things out. He surrendered a pair of one-out singles that put the tying run in scoring position but was able to finish off the job. That the Yankees stuck with the right-hander despite some tension indicates the unsettled nature of their closer role more than his effectiveness this season. Loaisiga has taken a step back with a 4.43 ERA and 1.32 WHIP overall in 2022, and he's given up five runs (three earned) over his past six innings.

Soto struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning Saturday against the White Sox to earn his 27th save of the year.

Clean innings haven't been as common as Soto would like this season, as he owns a 1.34 WHIP. He got the job done here against the first three hitters in the White Sox's lineup, however, helping the Tigers to a 5-3 victory.

Clase secured his 38th save of the season Friday against the Rangers, striking out one batting in a scoreless inning but allowing two hits and a hit by pitch.

Clase entered the bottom of the ninth with a 6-3 lead, but he did his best to keep things interesting. He retired the first two batters of the game before giving up singles to Corey Seager and Nathaniel Lowe and hitting Adolis Garcia on the wrist. Josh Jung grounded out to end the game, however, allowing Clase to open up a two-save lead over Kenley Jansen atop the leaderboard.

Morris (1-2) picked up the first win of his young major-league career Friday against the Rangers, giving up two runs (one earned) in five innings while striking out five and allowing two walks and four hits.

The Rangers scored twice in the bottom of the second inning on a Kevin Plawecki single and a Myles Straw throwing error. Three batters reached base in that inning, but Morris didn't allow more than a single baserunner in any of his other four frames. The Guardians were losing when he completed the bottom of the fifth but scored six runs in the top of the next frame while Morris was still the pitcher of record. The outing brought Morris' ERA down to 2.18 through his first five starts. He tentatively lines up to face the Rays and Royals (both at home) to end the regular season.