MLB Player News

Poche gave up two earned runs on a walk and a home run while striking out one to pick up his fifth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Yankees on Tuesday.

Rays manager Kevin Cash called on Poche to protect a three-run lead in the top of the ninth, and he got the job done to earn his fifth save of the season despite giving up a two-run home run to Marwin Gonzalez. The Rays are known for their closer-by-committee approach, but Poche appears to be the top man in the bullpen for now. He has two wins and three saves in June, and he should continue to see continued high-leverage usage with J.P. Feyereisen (shoulder) on the IL and Andrew Kittredge out for the season with Tommy John surgery.

Strahm gave up a run on one hit while striking out one batter in two-thirds of an inning Tuesday to record his eighth hold of the season in a 5-4 win over the Tigers.

Getting the call to begin the ninth inning with Boston nursing a two-run lead, Strahm saw his cushion evaporate immediately when Jonathan Schoop took him deep for a solo shot. The lefty then got the hook with two outs and right-handed hitters Javier Baez and Miguel Cabrera due up for Detroit, instead watching as John Schreiber pick up his second save of the season. Strahm has stumbled a bit through eight appearances in June, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB over six innings, but he still has two saves and four holds during that stretch and his high-leverage spot in the Red Sox bullpen appears to be fairly secure.

Schreiber gave up a hit before recording the final out of Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Tigers to record his second save of the season.

Matt Strahm got the call to begin the ninth inning with Boston protecting a two-run lead, but after Jonathan Schoop led off the frame with a solo shot, the lefty wasn't given the chance to earn the save, getting the hook with two outs and right-handed hitters Javier Baez and Miguel Cabrera waiting. Schreiber has reeled off 10 straight scoreless appearances while establishing himself as a high-leverage option for the Red Sox, posting a 1.04 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB through 8.2 innings over that stretch with seven holds, However, he still remains behind Tanner Houck and Strahm in the pecking order for saves.

Clarke logged a hold with one perfect relief inning in Tuesday's 12-11 extra-innings win over the Angels.

Clarke worked the eighth inning without trouble, but the game got chaotic after that. The 29-year-old is up to four holds in 26 appearances this season, maintaining a mid-leverage role in the Royals' bullpen. He's added a save, two blown saves, a 4.88 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 23:3 K:BB across 27.2 innings, but he's not expected to be in serious contention for regular save chances.

Barlow allowed three runs on two hits and a walk with one strikeout in one inning, taking a blown save in Tuesday's 12-11 extra-innings win over the Angels.

Barlow needed to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning, but he gave up a game-tying home run to Shohei Ohtani. This was just the second blown save in 10 chances for Barlow this season, and it's only the second time he's allowed multiple runs in an appearance. The 29-year-old's ERA ticked up to 2.32 with a 1.06 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 31 innings overall. He's given up four homers in 27 outings this year, matching his total from 71 appearances in 2021, but he's still the Royals' top option for saves.

Coleman (2-1) walked one and struck out none in a scoreless inning to earn the win Tuesday versus the Angels.

Coleman successfully kept the game tied in the 10th inning, and the Royals pulled ahead in the 11th. Across eight innings in June, Coleman has allowed one run, three hits and six walks with nine strikeouts. He's added two holds and a win in that span, though control remains an issue for the hard-throwing right-hander. Overall, he's logged a 3.18 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 33:23 K:BB and three holds in 28.1 innings this season without presenting much of a challenge to Scott Barlow for the closer role.

Mengden allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 12-11 extra-innings win over the Angels.

The Royals' first four relievers Tuesday combined for just two innings, and Mengden was the last arm left in the bullpen. He successfully protected a two-run lead despite allowing a sacrifice fly to Shohei Ohtani in the 11th inning that brought the Angels within a run. This was just the second appearance of the season for Mengden, who has been used sparingly since joining the big club June 13 when Joel Payamps (illness) landed on the COVID-19 injured list. With Zack Greinke (elbow) soon to return from the 15-day injured list, Mengden and starter Kris Bubic are on the hot seat to keep their spots on the 26-man active roster.

Heasley allowed four runs on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts in five-plus innings Tuesday versus the Angels. He did not factor in the decision.

All four runs on Heasley's line came via the long ball -- he gave up a solo home run to Jared Walsh in the fourth inning and a three-run blast to Shohei Ohtani in the sixth before exiting. This was just the second time in eight outings Heasley's allowed multiple homers this year, and it was also the first game he's allowed more than three runs. He owns a 4.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 32:22 K:BB through 41.1 innings, and he'll carry a 1-3 record into his next start, projected for next week at home versus the Rangers.

Romano blew the save Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in the ninth inning of a 7-6 loss against the White Sox. He did not factor into the decision.

Romano entered the game with a two-run lead and allowed four consecutive batters to reach base safely with two outs. He is now 17-for-20 in save situations and Tuesday's was his first blown save since May 10. The 29-year-old has struggled with his command of late, walking six batters in his last 7.1 innings of work while striking out five.

Brieske (1-6) allowed four runs on six hits across five innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Red Sox. He had no walks and struck out four.

Fenway Park is a tough place to pitch for rookies, though Brieske looked OK through three innings with just one run allowed. Things were a bit more dicey in the fourth, when he allowed two singles followed by a three-run home run by Trevor Story. Despite the setback and the rough win-loss record, Brieske has still pitched decently overall with a 4.07 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 59.2 innings.