MLB Player News

Jimenez, just activated from the injured list Tuesday, fired a perfect eighth inning during which he struck out the side in a win over the Angels on Thursday, earning his third hold.

The right-hander couldn't have asked for a better return to action, firing 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes in his first appearance since June 18. Jimenez extended his scoreless streak to four appearances with Thursday's blanking, which pushed his ERA and WHIP down to 4.21 and 1.21, respectively.

Ridings (shoulder) announced Thursday via his personal Twitter account that he completed a bullpen session.

Ridings has been on the injured list all season while recovering from a right shoulder impingement that surfaced early in spring training. Due to his lengthy layoff, Ridings will likely require at least a few weeks to build up and complete a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 60-day IL.

Clarke (3-1) allowed a run on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in one inning Thursday, earning the win over the Red Sox.

Clarke took a blown save by allowing the tying run to score in the seventh inning. He ended up with the win after the Royals rallied for four runs in their half of the frame. Since the start of July, Clarke has allowed two runs with a 12:4 K:BB across 13 innings in 12 appearances. The right-hander has a 3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 41:8 K:BB, two saves, 10 holds and five blown saves through 45.1 innings this year. As long as he doesn't completely go off the rails, he should see regular setup work over the last two months of the season.

Bowlan (elbow) has given up 10 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and three walks while striking out nine across 7.1 innings in his two starts since being activated from Double-A Northwest Arkansas' 7-day injured list July 26.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery early last summer, the 25-year-old right-hander looks to be healthy again. He's been rusty in his first two outings since returning to action for Northwest Arkansas, and keeping the ball in the yard -- he's allowed four home runs in two starts -- has proven to be a challenge in particular. Though Bowlan is one of the Royals' better pitching prospects, he likely won't be a realistic option to join the big-league rotation until at least 2023.

Espinal was outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Espinal was sent down by the Yankees on Tuesday, and he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster a few days later. Over seven relief appearances with the Triple-A club, he's posted a 3.60 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 15 innings.

Hernandez saved Thursday's 3-2 win against the White Sox, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Hernandez received a second straight save chance and delivered again with a stress-free outing. The 26-year-old has recorded saves in two of his last three appearances with five strikeouts across the outings and appears to be the new favorite to close games for Texas. He features a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

Pivetta didn't factor into the decision during Thursday's 7-3 loss to Kansas City, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts in five innings.

Pivetta was given a two-run lead before he took the mound but gave it right back by surrendering two of his own on two hits in the bottom of the inning while allowing another run on three baserunners in the fifth. Aside from a one-run outing July 25, the 29-year-old has allowed at least three runs in each of his last six starts and has seen his ERA balloon from 3.23 to 4.51 as a result. In addition to 4.51 ERA, Pivetta carries a 1.33 WHIP with 119 strikeouts in 123.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come midweek against Atlanta.

Puk recorded the final out of Thursday's win against the Angels to earn the save.

Puk relieved Zach Jackson -- who allowed the tying run to reach base -- to earn his third save of the season. He has been in a near-even split for save chances with Jackson since the All-Star break, and the closer role will likely remain up for grabs after Lou Trivino was dealt at the trade deadline. We'll also note that Dany Jimenez just returned from a shoulder injury as well. Puk has made the most of his chances, turning in 12 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run and has tallied all three of his saves on the season since July 22. For the season, Puk owns a 2.01 ERA and a 45:11 K:BB across 44.2 frames.

Law was designated for assignment Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Law has made two appearances out of the bullpen since being promoted to Detroit on July 30. He'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster in favor of Bryan Garcia, who will start Friday against the Rays.

Alcala underwent elbow surgery Wednesday and will not pitch again in 2022, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Alcala was placed on the injured list April 12 and attempted to return to the bullpen multiple times since. However, he recently had arthroscopic debridement surgery to end his campaign after just 2.1 innings. Alcala is expected to be ready for spring training in 2023.