MLB Player News

Sulser was credited with the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Athletics, tossing a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts or walks.

Bryan Baker was used by the Rays' in their 2-1 win over the A's on Tuesday, so Sulser got the call to protect Tampa Bay's one-run lead in Wednesday's tilt. Sulser needed only 12 pitches (eight strikes) to secure his third save of the season and first since May 5 against the Blue Jays. The veteran right-hander has a 4.56 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 11 holds over 51.1 innings this season.

Gomez was charged with his first blown save of the season in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Yankees, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

The unlikely closer, who was picked up by Minnesota after being DFA'd by Tampa Bay in early May, made it to the final two weeks of the regular season without blowing a save chance, but Gomez couldn't protect a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning Wednesday. He allowed a couple singles before Anthony Volpe tied it up with a two-out double, and after walking another batter the right-hander was replaced by Kody Funderburk. Gomez has been tagged for multiple runs in three of his last eight appearances, stumbling to an 11.05 ERA, 2.32 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB in 7.1 innings over that stretch as his luck has finally begun to run out down the stretch.

Bednar was charged with his fourth blown save of the season in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Twins, giving up two unearned runs on three hits over two innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The Yankees closer got the call in extra innings and had one-run leads to protect in both the 10th and 11th frames, but each time Bednar couldn't prevent the phantom runner from crossing the plate. It was a tough way to see his streak of seven straight save conversions come to an end, but the veteran righty has still been tagged for earned runs in only two of his last 13 appearances, posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 14.2 innings during that span with two wins and eight saves. With a team day off Thursday, Bednar's heavy usage Wednesday may not affect his availability heading into this weekend's road series in Arizona.

Arrighetti struck out two and gave up two unearned runs on one hit and two walks over two innings of relief in Tuesday's 10-1 loss to the Tigers.

Arrighetti made his second consecutive relief appearance, pitching on two days' rest as part of a bullpen game. The Blue Jays didn't turn to Arrighetti until they were down 6-0 in the top of the seventh, with his usage in a mop-up role likely indicating that he's lost his grip on a rotation spot. Since being acquired from the Astros at the trade deadline, Arrighetti has submitted a 6.20 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB in 20.1 innings across six appearances.

Varland earned the save in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Tigers, retiring all three batters he faced with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

After Spencer Miles gave up a single and a walk to open the ninth, the Blue Jays turned to Varland who promptly recorded the final three outs, locking down his 34th save this season. It was a nice rebound effort from Varland, who gave up a run in a blown save against Detroit his last time out. The right-hander now sports a 1.30 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and 95:22 K:BB across 76 innings this season.

Smith recorded his 37th save of the season in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the White Sox, striking out two over 1.1 perfect innings.

After Erik Sabrowski walked two batters in the eighth inning to bring the tying run to the plate for Chicago, Smith was brought in and got Sam Antonacci to fly out to end the frame before dominating in the ninth. Smith hasn't blown a save in over a month, and across his last 15 appearances he's posted a 1.08 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB in 16.2 innings while collecting three wins and seven saves.

Guerrero's (shoulder) stay on the injured list has been extended due to lower-back soreness, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Guerrero was trending toward a minimum-length absence after landing on the injured list Sept. 1 with shoulder inflammation, but a back injury will delay his return. The team doesn't seem to be very concerned about the 35-year-old's new injury, however, so he'll likely still be able to rejoin Boston's bullpen before the end of the season.

The Angels reinstated Bachman (forearm) from the injured list Wednesday.

Bachman landed on the injured list in early August due to inflammation in his right forearm. Now, after pitching 2.2 shutout innings across three rehab appearances in the minors, the 26-year-old will return to help the Angels' bullpen get through the final stretch of the regular season. He'll replace the injured Samy Natera (forearm) on the active roster.

The Angels placed Natera on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left forearm inflammation.

Natera's move to the IL is backdated to Sunday, but he still won't have enough time to make it back before the end of the season. The 26-year-old's rookie campaign was largely successful, as he'll finish the year with a 3.13 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 48:13 K:BB across 31.2 innings. Sam Bachman (forearm) was reinstated from the IL in a corresponding move.

Baker (3-2) picked up the win Tuesday, working a perfect ninth inning without a strikeout in a 2-1 victory over the A's.

With the game tied 1-1 and a save situation off the table at home, Baker was called in for the top of the ninth and needed just seven pitches (three strikes) to set down the 2-3-4 hitters for the A's. The right-hander then got rewarded when Junior Caminero walked it off with a solo shot. Baker has been scored upon in only one of his last nine appearances, picking up two wins and three saves during that stretch with a 1.08 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, but a lackluster 6:5 K:BB.