MLB Player News

Swanson (2-0) recorded the win over the Astros on Saturday, allowing two hits and recording a strikeout over a scoreless eighth inning.

Swanson had to navigate around some trouble but was still sharp, pounding 12 of his 16 pitches in for strikes. The right-hander has been a bit more vulnerable than usual lately while allowing seven hits over the five innings covering his last six appearances, but he's still produced a 2-0 record and one hold over that span, albeit while also being charged with a blown save.

Jackson (2-3) took the loss against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing an earned run on a hit and a wild pitch over one-third of an inning.

The normally reliable Jackson was entrusted with preserving a 2-2 tie when he entered in the ninth inning, but he conceded a leadoff double to Gavin Sheets and eventually allowed the winning run to score on a wild pitch while facing Tim Anderson. The stumble was a rare one for the right-hander, who'd last given up an earned run June 23, a span of 14 appearances.

The Royals recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Hernandez should be available as a long-relief option for Kansas City over the next few days, but if he isn't needed out of the bullpen, he could be a candidate to fill the opening in the rotation that was vacated by Jonathan Heasley, who was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. The Royals will next require a fifth starter Thursday versus the Red Sox, and Hernandez would be a logical choice to pick up the spot start if rehabbing lefty Daniel Lynch (hand) isn't deemed ready to return from the 15-day injured list by that day.

The Royals optioned Heasley to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Heasley's demotion comes after he was blitzed for six earned runs over 3.1 innings in his return from the 15-day injured list in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Yankees. Though he'll be heading to the minors, Heasley shouldn't have to wait too long before re-entering the big-league rotation. The Royals will have doubleheaders on consecutive days in the second week of August and will need to temporarily implement a seven-man rotation, and Heasley is a prime candidate to step in as a spot starter.

Herget (shoulder) could be activated by the Angels on Sunday or Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Herget has been rehabbing with Double-A Rocket City, most recently pitching two perfect innings for the minor-league club Friday. The right-hander now appears set to rejoin the Angels after spending over a month on the IL. Prior to the injury, Herget had posted a 3.72 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 34:6 K:BB over 36.1 innings. He's notched two wins, one save and two holds on the season.

Jax threw a scoreless inning while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Padres to earn his 10th hold.

Jax has become a key setup man after transitioning from being a starting pitcher last season. He's improved both his average fastball velocity (95.3 mph from 92.7 mph last season) and strikeout rate (9.6 K/9 from 7.1 K/9 last season). Despite Minnesota's struggles to find a steady closer at times, Jax hasn't been used at the end of games, however.

Shaw is listed as the Guardians' starting pitcher for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

While making his first start in 733 MLB appearances in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox, Shaw covered 2.1 innings, so he's likely to work more than a traditional opener while he picks up his second start of the week. Even so, Shaw probably shouldn't be expected to work any more than 3-to-4 innings, so he'll have a tough time qualifying for the win unless the Guardians race out to an early lead and maintain it throughout. Kirk McCarty is the primary option to work in long relief behind Shaw and is a likelier candidate to factor into any decision.

Sewald pitched the ninth inning without giving up any runs, hits or walks to pick up the save in a 5-4 win over the Astros on Saturday.

After the Mariners pulled ahead in the top of the ninth with a two-run inning, manager Scott Servais called on Sewald to protect a one-run lead. Sewald pitched a smooth three-up, three-down frame to earn his 13th save of the season. It was a nice bounce-back performance for Sewald after he gave up a couple of runs and blew the save his last time out against the Rangers. Sewald is in the midst of a career-best season and boasts a 2.72 ERA.

Pressly (3-3) gave up two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two over one inning of work to take the loss in a 5-4 defeat to the Mariners on Saturday.

Pressly had been very good in July, tallying two wins and two saves while posting an ERA of 2.00 coming into Saturday's game. However, he wasn't able to protect a one-run lead over the Mariners and gave up the game-winning hit on a two-out, two-RBI single to Abraham Toro. Despite being saddled with his third loss of the season, Pressly should get a chance to redeem himself shortly.

Heasley (1-6) allowed six runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out one across 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Yankees.

Heasley made his first start since July 9 after spending three weeks on the injured list. He received a rude welcome from the Yankees, as both DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge took Heasley yard to account for three of his earned runs. Heasley has had an up-and-down season for the Royals, allowing at least four earned runs in four of his last five appearances after logging a 3.62 ERA through his first six outings. That has resulted in a 5.50 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 52.1 innings on the campaign.