MLB Player News

Ottavino (4-3) struck out both batters he faced to earn the win Friday over Cleveland.

While the 35-year-old has converted saves in his last three appearances with Matt Barnes on the COVID-19 injured list, Ottavino was called upon to finish the seventh inning after Nathan Eovaldi ran out of steam. Ottavino did so with just 10 pitches (six strikes), and Boston's five-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning put him in line for the win. The right-hander owns a 3.35 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 60:30 K:BB across 53.2 innings while adding 11 saves and 20 holds. While he's not a traditional closer at this time, he should remain in the mix for high-leverage situations whenever they arise.

Kittredge struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning and earned a save over the Twins on Friday.

Kittredge allowed one Twin to reach base via error but still needed only nine pitches to finish off the 5-3 win. He's been dominant of late, recording a save in each of his last four outings while allowing just one hit and striking out 10 batters through 5.2 innings. Kittredge has converted all six of his save chances this season and is now sporting a 1.29 ERA.

Snead was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Snead spent nearly two weeks with the Triple-A club after he was sent down Aug. 23, and he allowed an unearned run in two innings across two minor-league appearances since then. The southpaw has recorded a 2.35 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 7.2 innings across seven appearances with the Blue Jays this year and will be pitch mainly in low-leverage situations.

Paredes was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Paredes was called up Wednesday but didn't make an appearance with the major-league club. The right-hander hasn't entered a big-league game since mid-June and will head back to the minors as part of a move after outfielder Jose Siri's contract was selected Friday.

Kimbrel (undisclosed) will likely be available for Friday's game against the Royals, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kimbrel wasn't available for Wednesday's win over the Pirates due to an undisclosed physical issue, but manager Tony La Russa said the right-hander would likely receive the save opportunity if necessary Friday. Across his last five appearances, the 33-year-old has allowed five runs in 4.2 innings.

Ridings (undisclosed) played catch Friday, Conor Foley of The Scranton Times-Tribune reports.

Ridings is working his way back from an unspecified injury that landed him on the injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 23. The 26-year-old received his first taste of the majors with five outings in August and allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over five innings.

Moll was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

The 29-year-old has been in the minors since later July and will rejoin the A's with Frankie Montas (visa issues) heading to the restricted list. Moll hasn't given up a run in 2.2 big-league innings this season and should fill a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Otto is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Angels.

Otto will earn a second turn through the rotation after he held the Astros scoreless while striking out seven en route to taking a no-decision in his MLB debut Aug. 27. Texas will eventually get Dane Dunning, Mike Foltynewicz and Spencer Howard back from the COVID-19 injured to potentially take back rotation spots, but Otto should still have a good case to stick around in a starting role if he turns in another solid outing versus the Angels.

Alexander will remain in the rotation and serve as a traditional starter Friday in Cincinnati, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Tigers deployed Alexander as a bulk reliever Aug. 28, when Jose Urena was reinstated from the 10-day injured list to start the contest. With Urena having since made a relief appearance Wednesday, Alexander looks on track to fill a normal starting role moving forward. Before the relief appearance his last time out, Alexander had worked at least five innings in each of his prior three starts.

Clase picked up the save Thursday against the Royals after allowing one run on two hits across one inning. He didn't strike out or walk anyone.

Clase ended a streak of 20 straight scoreless appearances that dated back to July 17, but he still got the job done. He's been perfect in nine straight save opportunities and has gone 20-for-24 on the year while also posting career-best numbers in both ERA (1.54) and WHIP (1.03) across 60 appearances (58.1 innings).