MLB Player News

Duran picked up his second save of the season Saturday against the Athletics, striking out five and allowing one walk in two hitless, scoreless innings.

Duran entered the top of the eighth with a one-run lead and promptly struck out the side. He had a bit more of an adventurous ninth inning, walking Seth Brown with two outs before hitting Sean Murphy, but he struck out Christian Bethancourt to secure the save. He now owns a 3.68 ERA and a 42.1 percent strikeout rate through 14.2 innings this season.

Jax (2-0) picked up the win Saturday against the Athletics, striking out two while allowing one hit across 1.2 scoreless innings.

Jax entered a scoreless tie with one out in the sixth inning and completed the frame without allowing a baserunner. The Twins went ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the inning, and Jax remained on the mound for the seventh, allowing just a two-out double. He now owns a 1.35 ERA in 13.1 innings of relief this season, a far cry from the 6.37 ERA he posted as primarily a starter last year.

Barraclough was called up by the Angels on Saturday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Barraclough owns a career 3.63 ERA over parts of six big-league seasons, though that number jumps to 5.59 across 46.2 frames since the start of the 2019 season. He'll give the Angels another arm in the bullpen, but he'll have to improve on that recent performance if he's to stick around.

Borucki (finger) was activated off the injured list Saturday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Borucki had been out since late April with a blister. He made just two appearances prior to suffering the injury, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. His return gives the Blue Jays another fresh arm for the second half of their doubleheader against the Guardians, with Julian Merryweather, who tossed two innings in the afternoon game, heading to the minors to clear a roster spot.

Merryweather was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Merryweather threw two scoreless innings in the afternoon portion of Saturday's doubleheader but will make way on the roster as the Blue Jays activate Ryan Borucki (finger) ahead of the nightcap. Merryweather had struggled prior to Saturday's outing, which was only enough to cut his season ERA to 6.94.

Fleming was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

Fleming served as the primary pitcher Friday against the Mariners and allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one in 2.2 innings. After posting a 6.38 ERA and 1.96 WHIP in 18.1 innings over six appearances (two starts) in the majors, the southpaw will attempt to sort things out in the minors. The Rays haven't indicated who will take Fleming's place in the rotation, but Ralph Garza will likely be a candidate after he was recalled Saturday.

Mills, who fired a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in a loss to the Rays on Friday, has posted a 1.59 ERA and 0.53 WHIP across 5.2 innings over his first four appearances.

The right-hander has been a pleasant surprise since being recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, where he'd been similarly impressive with a 1.93 ERA and 0.77 WHIP over six appearances. Mills has primarily been utilized in low-leverage scenarios thus far after posting a 9.95 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in 11 outings with the Mariners last season, but that could certainly change if he continues to impress.

Hernandez and the Royals won't play Saturday against the Orioles after the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

The Royals and Blue Jays are already scheduled for a doubleheader Sunday after Friday's matchup was called off, so Saturday's matchup will be made up Monday. Hernandez will take the mound Monday since Daniel Lynch is pitching in Sunday's matinee with Zack Greinke starting in the nightcap, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Bachman pitched three scoreless innings for Double-A Rocket City on Friday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one.

Bachman opened the minor-league season on the injured list due to back spasms, but he was activated prior to making his season debut Friday. The right-hander needed only 32 pitches to get through three scoreless frames, and his fastball sat in the 92-95 mph range, per Jared Tims of Talkin' Halos. Bachman was a first-round pick by the Angels in last season's first-year player draft and is among the team's top prospects after posting a 3.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB across 14.1 innings at the High-A level in 2021.

Balazovic (knee) was activated off the 7-day injured list for Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Balazovic missed the start of the year with a strained left knee. He made a single two-inning rehab start for Single-A Fort Myers on Sunday and wasn't particularly good, giving up four runs, but he'll nonetheless head to the Triple-A level to continue building up his workload.