MLB Player News

Lopez (2-7) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Saturday, completing 4.2 innings and allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out eight.

Lopez tied a season high with eight strikeouts, but he otherwise posted his worst outing since a two-inning start May 15. The right-hander entered the contest with four straight appearances of at least five innings and three or fewer runs, but both streaks came to an end in the loss. Lopez's ERA jumped to 5.64, and his seven losses are tied for third-worst in the league. Lopez will try to get back into the win column in his next scheduled start, which is tentatively projected to take place at Cleveland on Thursday.

Bolanos allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings in Saturday's 11-2 loss to Oakland.

The right-hander was called on for a multi-inning appearance after starter Jackson Kowar was pulled with one out in the second inning. Bolanos fared better in his outing, but it didn't change the result of the game. The 24-year-old has a 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB across 6.1 innings this year. He worked as a starter with Triple-A Omaha this year, and Bolanos could tabbed for a spot in the rotation given Kowar's poor performance through two major-league starts.

Stephan allowed a hit and a walk and struck out two in a scoreless inning in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning over Seattle.

While he allowed two baserunners Saturday, Stephan was able to get away with it this time. That hasn't always been the case this season, as the 25-year-old owns a 4.43 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB across 22.1 innings. Until he can show more command, he'll be limited to low-leverage work.

Wittgren struck out two in a perfect inning Saturday versus Seattle.

Wittgren has struggled with consistency recently -- he's allowed four runs across 5.2 innings in his last six outings. The right-hander did well in the sixth inning of Saturday's de facto bullpen game. He has a 4.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB across 20 innings. He's also logged a save and four holds, but he'll need to be more reliable to get high-leverage assignments regularly.

Pivetta (6-2) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Blue Jays after allowing six runs on six hits and two walks while fanning six across five innings.

Pivetta had given up just two runs in each of his last two appearances, but he was unable to display the same kind of poise on the mound against one of the strongest offenses in the American League. He's now dropped two of his last three decisions and owns a 4.28 ERA. Pivetta is scheduled to make his next start on the road against the Royals next week.

Montero was tagged with a blown save Saturday against Cleveland after allowing three runs on two hits and two walks across one inning. He didn't record a strikeout.

Montero entered the bottom of the ninth inning holding a three-run lead. After retiring the first two batters he faced, he struggled badly, allowing back-to-back walks and back-to-back hits to erase the three-run advantage in only a matter of minutes. Montero has now allowed runs in two of his last three appearances.

Sewald (2-2) failed to record an out and was tagged with the loss Saturday against Cleveland after giving up a run and a walk.

Sewald entered the bottom of the 10th inning with a 4-4 tie and an automatic runner in second base, and his outing didn't boost Seattle's chances of earning the victory -- he allowed a single to Amed Rosario and walked Jose Ramirez to load the bases with no outs. An error from Sewald himself allowed Harold Ramirez to score on a fielder's choice. As a result of his woeful outing, Sewald ended a streak of four straight scoreless appearances.

Karinchak (3-2) earned the win in relief Saturday against the Mariners after tossing a scoreless inning, fanning two.

Karinchak entered the game in the 10th inning after Cleveland scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, and he carried that momentum into the mound -- he tossed eight of his 13 pitches for strikes and retired the side in order despite having a runner at second the whole time due to the new extra-inning rule. The right-hander has posted three straight scoreless outings and lowered his ERA to 2.67 in the process.

Romano (forearm) struck out one in a perfect ninth inning during Saturday's win over the Red Sox.

Romano was deemed unavailable for Friday's game with forearm tightness, but the issue appears to have been minor. Although he didn't pick up a save Saturday, Romano figures to continue seeing plenty of opportunities in the closer role going forward. On the season, the right-hander has compiled a tidy 1.66 ERA and 1.06 WHIP to go along with a 28:12 K:BB across 21.2 innings.

Kowar (0-2) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Athletics after allowing four runs on five hits and three walks across 1.1 innings. He struck out one.

It was another rough outing for Kowar and even though he was able to get out of the first inning this time, he didn't make a substantial improvement compared to his debut and once again delivered a below-average outing. It remains to be seen how patient the Royals will be with their star prospect. Right now, it's not entirely clear that he'll get another shot in the rotation any time soon.