MLB Player News

Gearrin was mentioned by manager Jeff Banister as a reliever that may get save opportunities going forward, Dic Humphrey of MLB.com reports.

The conventional thought was that Jose Leclerc would fill in as the closer after Texas traded Keone Kela, but Banister said Thursday he will not name a specific closer. He intends to retain the flexibility to utilize any one of a trio that includes Gearrin, Leclerc and Chris Martin. Those are the three relievers he considers his one-inning pitchers. The Rangers have not had a save opportunity since trading Kela.

Martin is one of three pitchers that manager Jeff Banister indicated could get save opportunities, Dic Humphrey of MLB.com reports.

The working assumption after closer Keone Kela was traded was that Jose Leclerc would be the primary closer, but the manager sent a different message Thursday. Banister said he feels he has three one-inning pitchers -- Martin, Leclerc and Cory Gearrin -- and refused to name a specific closer. He wants to retain the flexibility to utilize any of the trio when save opportunities are presented. The Rangers have not had a save situation since trading away Kela.

Hauschild (1-0) allowed four hits and one walk across six scoreless innings to record the win Thursday against the Mariners.

Hauschild had a busy Thursday, joining the Blue Jays and earning his first major league win in one day. After one inning from Tyler Clippard, Hauschild entered the game and held the Mariners scoreless on the strength of seven groundballs and six strikeouts. His role with the big-league club is unclear going forward, though he posted a 4.88 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across 97 innings at Triple-A Fresno as a member of the Astros organization this season.

Johnson (2-3) tossed five innings Thursday, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks in the 15-7 win over the Yankees. He struck out 11 and yielded three homers while earning the win.

The rookie southpaw's 11 strikeouts are a new career-high despite lasting just five innings against the rival Yankees. Johnson was taken deep by Didi Gregorius twice in the outing, once for a three-run shot in the first inning and later for a solo blast in the fifth. He also allowed a solo homer to Aaron Hicks in the second inning. Luckily, Boston poured on eight runs in the fourth inning and lined up Johnson for the win. The 27-year-old should return to the bullpen with Chris Sale (shoulder) expected back soon.

Jays manager John Gibbons plans to eventually use Giles as the team's closer, but only after he first pitches in a lower-leverage spot first, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.CA reports.

Giles believes his brief demotion to Triple-A allowed him to regain his slider as an effective out pitch. "I got a great feel for my slider when I got demoted to triple-A, I got my slider back, now it's about me establishing my fastball better to make me more successful," he said. "Knowing that guys are going to ambush me early, I've got to be more prepared."

Lopez allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over seven innings in a no-decision against the Royals on Thursday.

It was nice to see the 24-year-old shake off a miserable end to July (18 runs, eight homers allowed in his final three starts) and start August with one of his best performances in months. He left in line for the win, but the bullpen ultimately allowed the Royals to tie it late. Lopez blamed his recent struggles on a lack of focus, with manager Rick Renteria adding that "it has nothing to do with the physical depletion of his ability to do things." While this was a step forward for Lopez, he draws the Yankees next and that's a matchup most in mixed leagues will want to avoid.

Hauschild was signed by the Blue Jays on Thursday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Hauschild was let go by the Astros on Monday, but he latched on with a new team just days later. He'll head right to the major-league level, and he'll be available out of the bullpen for Thursday's game against Seattle. Hauschild started 19 games at Triple-A Fresno in 2018, posting a 4.88 ERA and 1.55 WHIP with a 93:38 K:BB over 97 frames.

Giles was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports.

Giles was traded from Houston to Toronto on Monday alongside Hector Perez and David Paulino in exchange for Roberto Osuna (suspension). Giles was demoted to the minor leagues with the Astros after posting a 4.99 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 31 strikeouts over 30.2 frames. Expect the 27-year-old right-hander to be deployed in mid-to-high leverage situations as he looks to turn his 2018 campaign around.

Shawaryn was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Shawaryn made 19 starts at Double-A Portland in 2018, posting a 3.28 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with a 99:27 K:BB over 112 innings. He's ranked as Boston's No. 12 prospect.

Lopez, who is starting Thursday's series finale against the Royals, asserts he's fine physically and contends his recent downturn is due to a lack of focus, Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Manager Rick Renteria and other coaches met with Lopez following his last outing, when he allowed eight runs in 4.1 innings against Toronto, and came away believing the pitcher when he said he felt fine physically, despite the right-hander's four-seam fastball -- which has averaged 96 mph this season -- being down to 94 in the loss to the Blue Jays. "It has nothing to do with the physical depletion of his ability to do things. He just felt that he wasn't giving us a commitment, (in terms of his focus), when he was pitching and he was going to try to make the adjustment," said the manager. Lopez enters Thursday's start having gone 2-5 with a 7.22 ERA over his last seven starts after compiling a 3.35 ERA in his first 14.