MLB Player News
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Justin Slaten RP | BOS
Red Sox's Justin Slaten: No longer throwing
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Slaten (shoulder) is no longer throwing and is instead doing plyometric exercises, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Out since late May with right shoulder inflammation, Slaten played catch back on June 27, but he's backed off a throwing program since then and is focusing on rebuilding shoulder strength. Once he's throwing again, Slaten will need time to build back up, so he looks to be several weeks away from a potential return.
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Mark Leiter RP | ATH
Yankees' Mark Leiter: Aiming to throw this weekend
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that he's hopeful Leiter (leg) can resume a throwing program this weekend, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
Leiter landed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left fibular head stress fracture, an injury he actually suffered two weeks prior. It shouldn't take Leiter long to ramp back up from a stamina standpoint, but it's uncertain how his leg will respond to increased activity.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Sent down to minors
The Athletics optioned Spence to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.
The transaction comes one day after Spence was torched for eight runs over six innings in a loss to Atlanta. Spence was not scheduled for another start before the All-Star break, so the A's have replaced him with some bullpen protection in the form of Osvaldo Bido. It's possible Spence gets another chance in the big-league rotation after the All-Star break, although he won't be eligible to be recalled until July 25.
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Eric Orze RP | MIN
Rays' Eric Orze: Optioned to Triple-A
The Rays optioned Orze to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
His roster spot will be filled by Bryan Baker, who was acquired via trade earlier Thursday. Orze has been a trusted member of the Rays' bullpen for much of the season, but he's stumbled lately, allowing nine runs (eight earned) over his last 10.2 innings.
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Felix Bautista RP | BAL
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Locks down 18th save
Bautista earned the save in the opening game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Mets, delivering a perfect ninth inning to seal a 3-1 win.
Bautista has converted 11 straight save chances while allowing just one earned run in his last 16 innings. Overall, the 6-foot-8 right-hander has posted a 2.41 ERA across 33.2 innings with a 1.04 WHIP and 48 strikeouts while converting 18 of 19 save opportunities.
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Devin Williams RP | NYM
Yankees' Devin Williams: Notches 13th save
Williams struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 13th save of the season in a 9-6 win over the Mariners.
The Airbender has put a shaky start to his tenure in the Bronx firmly behind him. Williams has converted nine straight save chances since moving back into the closer picture in late May, posting a 3.14 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB over his 14.1 innings, and he's been charged with runs in only one of his last 11 appearances. Given Luke Weaver's current struggles, Williams would seem to have a firm grip on the ninth-inning role for the Yankees.
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Bryan Baker RP | TB
Rays' Bryan Baker: Dealt to Tampa Bay
The Rays acquired Baker from the Orioles on Thursday in exchange for the No. 37 overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Baker has been a dependable setup man for the Orioles this season, notching three holds, 11 holds and two saves while accruing a 3.52 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 49:9 K:BB in 38.1 innings. With Pete Fairbanks maintaining good health and excelling as the Rays' closer so far this season, Baker's path to saves isn't likely to get any clearer as he moves on to a new AL East locale, but he should be a key part of the bridge to the ninth inning in Tampa Bay.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Lit up by Atlanta in loss
Spence (2-5) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.
Spence's outing began in ominous fashion, as Ronald Acuna led off the contest with a solo home run against him. That set the tone for a disastrous outing by the right-hander, as he surrendered a career-worst five homers and eight earned runs. To his credit, Spence was at least able to preserve the Athletics' bullpen a bit by tossing six frames, but this was a continuation of a recent poor stretch for the 27-year-old. Spence has lost each of his past four starts, posting a 7.84 ERA and 1.60 WHIP while giving up nine long balls over that span.