MLB Player News

Poche (1-0) was charged with a blown save but earned the win after allowing an unearned run on a hit and two walks while striking out one Wednesday against the Rangers.

Poche was asked to protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning, though that was quickly spoiled after he allowed a one-out single that brought home the designated runner from second base. He walked two of the next three batters he faced but escaped without any further damage. The Rays' closer situation remains ambiguous, but Poche would have three of the team's last four saves if he had converted Wednesday's opportunity successfully.

Jimenez (2-3) recorded a hold but took the loss Wednesday, coughing up four runs on two hits and two walks in only two-thirds of an inning as the A's fell 5-4 to the Astros. He struck out two.

The right-hander got the final out of the eighth inning with Oakland protecting a 3-1 lead, but Jimenez unraveled in the ninth, walking in one run before serving up a bases-loaded double to Yordan Alvarez. Jimenez has been tagged for eight runs over his last three appearances, sending his ERA soaring from 0.49 to 3.92, but the fact that no other Oakland reliever is pitching particularly well at the moment should buy him some extra time to turn things around and hang onto the closer role.

Pressly gave up a run on two hits while striking out one in the ninth inning Wednesday to record his 10th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the A's.

The right-hander made things interesting after serving up an RBI double to Elvis Andrus, but Pressly was able to escape with no further damage. He hadn't been charged with an earned run in eight straight appearances heading into Wednesday, and Pressly will take a 2.77 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB through 13 innings into his next outing.

King allowed one run on two hits while striking out one in one inning during Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Rays in extra innings.

King, who's pitched well recently, came on in eighth inning to protect a one-run lead after starter Jon Gray's gem of an outing. Unfortunately, King blew the save -- the second eighth-inning blown save over his last three appearances -- and the Rangers lost in extras.

Perez (4-0) allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings, earning the win Wednesday over the Mariners.

Starter Kyle Bradish couldn't complete five innings, so Perez entered the game and got credit for the win. The 26-year-old reliever has earned all four of his wins and two of his four holds in his last 10 outings, and he hasn't allowed any runs in his last seven games. Overall, the southpaw has a 0.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings.

Pilkington (1-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals, allowing five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in five shutout innings.

Pilkington hadn't shown much through his first two starts with the Guardians, but he turned in a good outing Wednesday. All of the Royals' hits in the contest were singles. Pilkington now has a 2.65 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 17 innings this season. While the walks are a little concerning, he's likely done enough to warrant staying in the rotation for another turn with Aaron Civale (glute) set to undergo a non-surgical procedure. Pilkington lines up for his next start versus the Rangers next week.

Strahm (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

The 30-year-old landed on the shelf Monday, but his placement on the COVID-19 IL was simply a precaution, allowing him to quickly rejoin the active roster. Strahm is coming off his worst outing of the season, and he was charged with a blown save and a loss Friday after giving up four runs (three earned) over one-third of an inning. That performance doubled the number of runs he's allowed this season, as he's otherwise been a reliable bullpen piece with a 1.88 ERA and 0.70 WHIP to go along with four holds and one save. Matt Barnes (shoulder) and Hansel Robles (back) have both landed on the injured list within the last week, which could put Strahm in a position to receive more save opportunities.

Barnes was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to May 31.

Barnes surrendered three runs over one inning during Monday's loss to Baltimore, and he'll now be sidelined for at least the next couple weeks with the shoulder issue. The right-hander had a 7.94 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 14:12 K:BB across 17 innings this season, as he struggles from the second half of last year have carried over into 2022. The Red Sox figure to utilize a minor-league rehab assignment once Barnes is nearing his return in order to get him some re-acclimation time before being activated.

Mayza (forearm) is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

For the first time since he was shelved May 16 with left forearm inflammation, Mayza stepped back on the mound Tuesday. He relayed that he felt good following that side session, but the Blue Jays want Mayza to get in another bullpen workout before deciding on the next steps in his throwing program. If all goes well during Friday's bullpen session, Mayza could be sent out on a rehab assignment, though manager Charlie Montoyo has acknowledged that the lefty reliever may not require one.

The Angels optioned Rosenberg to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Rosenberg's demotion doesn't come as a major surprise after he was pressed into long-relief duty behind Noah Syndergaard in Tuesday's 9-1 loss to the Yankees. After Syndergaard exited midway through the third inning, Rosenberg proceeded to work five innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits and two walks along the way. The Angels called up Andrew Wantz from Triple-A to join the bullpen as a replacement for Rosenberg, who wasn't going to be available for a few days following the 99-pitch outing.