MLB Player News
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Takes extra-inning loss
Hader (4-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and struck out two over 1.1 innings to take the extra-inning loss Thursday versus the Athletics.
Hader did well to keep the game tied with a sharp 11-pitch ninth inning, but he served up a walk-off home run to Nick Kurtz in the 10th. This is just the second time all season Hader's been tagged for multiple runs, though he has been scored upon in two of his last four outings. He has a 1.67 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 50:7 K:BB through 32.1 innings this season, and he remains a perfect 18-for-18 in save chances, as he entered Thursday's contest with the game tied. Hader is as sharp as ever this year, but it'll be important for him to put this outing behind him quickly, as he's had a tendency to let slumps snowball in previous seasons.
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Mason Miller SP | SD
Athletics' Mason Miller: Takes blown save Thursday
Miller allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over 1.1 innings, taking a blown save in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Astros.
Miller was brought in with two outs in the eighth inning, but he allowed a game-tying, three-run home run to Victor Caratini. Miller stayed in for the ninth and kept the game tied, but he didn't reap the rewards of that effort, as Michael Kelly pitched the 10th and earned the win. Miller has converted 14 of 17 save chances this season, so his status as the Athletics' closer isn't in question despite mediocre ratios. He's at a 5.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 46:14 K:BB over 27.2 innings.
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Felix Bautista RP | BAL
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Converts 15th save
Bautista struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Rays.
Bautista had to work for it, throwing 12 of 21 pitches for strikes despite not allowing a baserunner. He's on an eight-inning scoreless streak with a 13:5 K:BB and has allowed just one hit during that span. Bautista struggled at times in May with a 5.59 ERA in 10 outings, but he's rounded back into form with his recent dominant stretch. He's at a 2.81 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB through 25.2 innings while converting 15 of his 16 save chances this season.
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Hunter Bigge P | TB
Rays' Hunter Bigge: Undergoing testing
Bigge (lat) is being evaluated at a local hospital after taking a 105-mph liner to the side of his face while in the dugout of Thursday's game against Baltimore, Ryan Bass reports.
Bigge suffered a scary injury that was originally believed to be related to his neck or eye. Fortunately, the issue wasn't sustained in either area, and he is coherent at the hospital. More details will likely become available Friday.
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Hunter Bigge P | TB
Rays' Hunter Bigge: Struck by foul ball
Bigge (lat) was struck in the head by a foul ball while in the dugout during Thursday's game against the Orioles, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
The exact severity of the issue is unclear, but it appeared to be a serious injury. Bigge was taken out on a stretcher after having his neck stabilized but was able to give a thumbs up to the crowd, per Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun.
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Owen White RP | CHW
White Sox's Owen White: Returned to Charlotte
White was returned to Triple-A Charlotte following the White Sox's doubleheader against St. Louis on Thursday.
White pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in the second game, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out one. It was his second appearance in the majors this season, and he's likely to be back with the big-league club at some point this summer if injuries occur.
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Shawn Armstrong RP | CLE
Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Takes loss as opener
Armstrong (2-2) took the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the first inning.
With Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) on the injured list, the Rangers turned to Armstrong and the rest of the bullpen to fill the gap in the rotation. Armstrong took to the mound to start Thursday's game, but he gave up a two-run homer to Vinnie Pasquantino and was tagged with the loss as the Rangers were unable to muster up enough offense. Armstrong could be in the opener mix again next week against the Orioles at Camden Yards if Eovaldi is not cleared to return from the IL.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Collects 21st save
Estevez earned the save in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Rangers after recording no strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning.
For the second night in a row, Estevez was brought in for the ninth to protect a three-run lead, and he needed only 11 pitches (seven strikes) to retire the side. He has converted 16 of his last 17 save opportunities, and his 21 saves is tied with Robert Suarez for most in the majors. Estevez sports a 1.93 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB across 32.2 innings this season.
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Grant Holman RP | ARI
Athletics' Grant Holman: Option rescinded, placed on IL
The Athletics voided Holman's optional assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday and placed him on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Monday) with rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder.
The A's originally optioned Holman to Triple-A on Monday after he had posted a 5.09 ERA in 23 innings with the major-league club. However, the team uncovered a shoulder injury Thursday and will keep him around to rehab with the big-league squad. He'll be eligible to return from the IL beginning July 1, though he may still be sent down to the minors whenever he's fully healthy.
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Anthony Maldonado RP | HOU
Athletics' Anthony Maldonado: Back with big club
The Athletics recalled Maldonado from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.
Maldonado was relegated to the minors at the end of May after giving up eight earned runs over six innings. Since then, he's allowed just two runs in 6.1 frames with the Aviators -- good enough to earn another chance in the Athletics' bullpen. Osvaldo Bido was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.