MLB Player News
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Mitch Spence SP | ATH
Athletics' Mitch Spence: Getting another start
Spence is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Angels in Anaheim.
After making his first 22 appearances of the season out of the bullpen, Spence moved into the rotation last week and came through with an impressive outing in Thursday's win over the Twins. He allowed a solo home run to Matt Wallner but otherwise kept the Twins off the board through five innings, striking out four while scattering three hits and one walk. Spence will be awarded another start for his efforts, and a strong showing versus the Angels could be enough to solidify his spot in the rotation on a longer-term basis.
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Brant Hurter P | DET
Tigers' Brant Hurter: Working as opener Tuesday
Hurter will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Tuesday's contest versus the Orioles, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Hurter is stretched out more than most openers, having gone three innings in three appearances this season and multiple frames with regularity. He will be followed by Sawyer Gipson-Long, who is slated to absorb most of the innings out of the bullpen.
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Jeff Hoffman RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Tosses clean inning for 16th save
Hoffman struck out one batter in a perfect 10th inning to record a save against the Cardinals on Monday.
Hoffman's task wasn't easy, as he had to deal with the automatic runner at second base in the bottom of the 10th while protecting a one-run lead. He was able to get the job done, needing just nine pitches (eight strikes) to set the side down in order. Hoffman has successfully converted each of his past six save opportunities, and he's tied for sixth in the majors with 16 saves on the season. A few blowups have his ERA at an undesirable 5.46, but Hoffman appears to be secure in Toronto's closer role and has held the opponent scoreless in six of his past eight outings.
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Pete Fairbanks RP | MIA
Rays' Pete Fairbanks: Can't convert save Monday
Fairbanks blew a save opportunity against the Red Sox on Monday, giving up two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one batter in 1.1 innings.
Rays manager Kevin Cash turned to Fairbanks in a key spot with two outs and a runner on base in the bottom of the eighth frame. The right-hander got Jarren Duran to strike out to preserve a one-run lead, and he looked to be in a great position to close things out after Tampa Bay added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. However, Fairbanks couldn't get the job done -- he allowed two runs in the bottom of the inning to allow the game to go into extra frames. The blown save was just the second in 14 attempts for Fairbanks this season, and it was his first since May 8. Prior to Monday, the veteran closer hadn't allowed an earned run in any of his previous nine appearances.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Angels' Kenley Jansen: Gets last out Monday
Jansen recorded the final out in Monday's 7-4 win over the Athletics.
Shaun Anderson allowed two runs in a non-save situation in the ninth inning, prompting Jansen's entry with two outs and the bases empty. Jansen was tidy, getting a groundout from Luis Urias on three pitches to end the game. Jansen has pitched much better in save situations than non-save situations this season, in part because he gave up six earned runs May 2 in a non-save situation. He's now at a 4.57 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 19:9 K:BB while earning 14 saves over 21.2 innings this season.
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Garrett McDaniels RP | LAD
Angels' Garrett McDaniels: Activated and DFA'd by Angels
The Angels activated McDaniels (biceps) from the 15-day injured list and designated him for assignment Monday.
McDaniels is over the biceps injury that sent him to the IL in early May, but the Angels have decided not to add him back to their active roster. The Rule 5 pick will be available for other teams to claim via waivers, but if he clears he must be offered back to the Dodgers for $50,000.
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Grant Taylor RP | CHW
White Sox's Grant Taylor: Poised for big-league promotion
The White Sox are expected to call up Taylor from Double-A Birmingham prior to Tuesday's game in Houston, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
Taylor has been dominant since being moved to the bullpen at Birmingham, tossing 9.1 scoreless innings with an 18:1 K:BB over his last nine appearances. It's not clear whether the White Sox have given up on trying to develop him as a starting pitcher, but Taylor will be broken into the big leagues as a reliever. The 23-year-old has an electric arm and could push for high-leverage appearances sooner rather than later.