MLB Player News

Hearn will likely be available as the primary pitcher Saturday in Oakland since Matt Bush will serve as the opener.

Hearn was initially listed as the probable starter for Saturday's matchup, but it appears as though his appearance will come as a bulk reliever instead. The southpaw returned to the major-league mound July 15 and allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out seven in four innings against the Mariners.

Trivino gave up two earned runs on three hits -- including a home run -- and a walk while strikeout out one over two-thirds of an inning in a 5-4 win over the Rangers on Friday.

The Athletics closer was called upon to protect a three-run lead heading into the ninth but things unraveled quickly and Trivino was pulled from the game with the tying run at second base. He was relieved by A.J. Puk who notched his first career save. Trivino is arguably the weakest pitcher who regularly closes games at the major-league level and his days in the closer role could be numbered. The 30-year-old veteran has an abysmal 6.83 ERA this season and could be replaced by Puk if Athletics manager Mark Kotsay feels the need to shake things up.

Puk hit one batter but pitched a scoreless third of an inning to earn the save in a 5-4 win over the Rangers on Friday.

Manager Mark Kotsay had originally called upon Lou Trivino to close out the game with the Athletics leading 5-2 coming into the ninth. Trivino struggled immensely, giving up two earned runs on three hits and a walk, including a home run to Nathaniel Lowe to nearly blow the save. Puk came on in relief with runners on first and second and proceeded to hit a batter before inducing a hard groundout to third for the final out of the game with the bases loaded. It was Puk's first career save. Trivino's 6.83 ERA is unsuitable for a closer and Puk could be the man who steps in to replace him if there is a changing of the guard in Oakland's bullpen.

Howard (1-2) gave up four earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings to take the loss in a 5-4 defeat to the Athletics on Friday.

Howard had another rough outing, this time surrendering two home runs off the bats of Ramon Laureano and Seth Brown. The performance raised his ERA to 7.11 over five starts and seven appearances. The right-hander ranks in the bottom first percentile of many key Statcast indicators, including xwOBA, xERA and xSLG. The Rangers may continue to hand him the ball as Dane Dunning recovers from an ankle impingement. Look for Howard to take the mound on the road against the Angels next week.

Bautista (hand) struck out the side in a perfect inning in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Yankees.

Bautista dealt with a sore right hand before the All-Star break, but a week off served him well. He's put together 4.1 consecutive scoreless innings in his last four appearances. Bautista has a 1.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 47:13 K:BB with 12 holds, two saves, a blown save and a 3-2 record through 37.2 innings. He'll resume his role as a setup man to closer Jorge Lopez.

Neris allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn his first save of the season in Friday's 5-2 win over the Mariners.

Neris blew a save and picked up a win in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Yankees, but he received another chance to close out a contest just a day later. He delivered this time, working around a one-out double from Dylan Moore. Neris has mainly been a setup man for the Astros, but he's seen save chances lately with Ryan Pressly (personal) on the paternity list. Neris owns a 3.60 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 41:11 K:BB, 18 holds and two blown saves through 40 innings this year.

King suffered a fracture in his right elbow Friday against the Orioles, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Sherman also reports that King is expected to miss the rest of the season, though further testing will confirm that. King was an excellent reliever for the Yankees while maintaining a 2.29 ERA and a 66:16 K:BB across 51 innings on the campaign.

Marinaccio's (shoulder) rehab assignment was transferred from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to Double-A Somerset on Friday.

The move is likely based on geography, as Somerset plays at home this weekend while SWB is on the road in Lehigh Valley. Marinaccio logged one inning in an appearance Friday, striking out the side on 17 pitches, and he has struck out five batters in two rehab innings thus far. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, the righty reliever could rejoin the Yankees as soon as Sunday.

Holmes allowed one hit and struck out three across 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save Friday against the Orioles.

Holmes entered the game in the eighth inning after Michael King (elbow) exited suddenly. Holmes had no issue working on short notice and struck out half the batters he faced to record his 17th save of the season. He has maintained a pristine 1.26 ERA and 47:9 K:BB across 43 innings on the season.

King exited Friday's game against Baltimore due to an elbow injury, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

King was lifted suddenly in the eighth frame after completing an inning of work without allowing a baserunner. There's no official diagnosis, though any arm injury for a pitcher raises significant concern. King has been a key part of the Yankees' bullpen this season, as he's maintained a 2.29 ERA with a 66:16 K:BB across 51 innings.