MLB Player News

Neris struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Tuesday against the Athletics.

Neris entered the game with a two-run lead and recorded his 10th hold of the season. He's gotten back on track by turning in four consecutive scoreless appearances after allowing four earned runs in a three-inning stretch during the middle of May. Neris has been excellent overall in a high-leverage role for Houston this season by maintaining a 2.01 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and a 24:3 K:BB across 22.1 frames.

Patino (oblique) will throw live batting practice Wednesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Patino threw bullpen sessions last Wednesday on Saturday and felt good after each occasion. He'll progress to facing hitters for the first time since being placed on the injured list April 11, which will serve as a significant step forward in his recovery. Patino will almost certainly go on a rehab assignment before being activated, so his return is likely to come in the latter half of June at the earliest.

King struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning to earn the hold in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Rays.

King followed up a dominant start by Martin Perez by pitching a perfect eighth inning. The hold was the sixth for King, who's scooped up three over the last six appearances. The left-hander has allowed a worrisome number of walks -- nine in 20 innings -- but he's avoided serious damage and pitched better during his recent six-game stretch. Five of those six outings have been scoreless and four have been perfect innings of relief.

De Los Santos struck out one in a perfect inning in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Royals.

Since he was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on May 9, he's allowed just one hit and no walks with nine strikeouts across 7.1 scoreless innings. The right-hander is still seeing mostly low-leverage work, but he's done well to post a 2.08 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB across 13 innings this season. He's also picked up a hold in 12 appearances.

Pressly allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Athletics.

Pressly allowed a leadoff single to Tony Kemp, but then got Jed Lowrie to fly out before ending the inning on a Ramon Laureano double play. This was Pressly's fifth straight appearance that ended with a save, and he's logged a 7.2-inning scoreless streak. For the season, the Astros' closer is 9-for-11 in save chances with a 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB across 12 innings.

Barlow picked up the save after retiring the side in order in a 3-0 win Tuesday over Tampa Bay.

Barlow needed only nine pitches to close out the game. He is now 9-for-9 in save opportunities on the season with a minuscule 1.56 ERA. The righty capped off an excellent month of May, having allowed one earned run in 12 innings.

Fulmer pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts in the Tigers' 4-0 win in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Twins.

It wasn't a save situation, but Fulmer still effectively shut the door on Minnesota, needing just 10 pitches to retire the side. The righty is behind Gregory Soto in the pecking order for saves at the moment, though he's pitched well with a 2.89 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 18.2 innings this season. Fulmer did have 14 saves a season ago, so it's possible he gets a look in the closer role at some point if Soto stumbles, though the latter has also looked good with a 2.16 ERA and nine saves in 10 chances.

Yarbrough (0-2) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits and two hit batsmen while striking out three over 6.2 innings in Texas.

Yarbrough gave up three runs in the fourth inning on homers by Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia. He nearly completed the seventh inning but hit a batter and allowed a bunt single with two outs before being removed. It was his longest outing of the season by more than an inning. While the lefty has demonstrated good control over his career, walking 2.0 batters per nine innings, he has plunked five batters in 27 innings this season after leading the league in hit batsmen two seasons ago.

Baker (1-3) was charged with the loss Tuesday after he pitched 1.1 innings, surrendering three runs on two hits and a walk while striking out a batter against the Mariners.

Baker was tasked with starting Tuesday's contest in what was a bullpen game. He gave up an RBI double in the first inning and two more runs in the second while only recording one out. The three runs surrendered were a season high for the reliever and he has now allowed at least one run in four of his last five appearances. Since May 20, Baker has given up six runs on 10 hits and three walks over 6.2 frames. He'll return to his regular role as a bullpen option following the loss Tuesday.

Saucedo (hip) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Saucedo has been on the 10-day injured list since April 30 due to right hip discomfort, so he'll likely need to complete a minor-league rehab assignment before the Blue Jays activate him. The southpaw is projected to fill a low-leverage role out of the bullpen whenever he's deemed fit to rejoin the Blue Jays.