MLB Player News
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Jack Perkins RP | ATH
Athletics' Jack Perkins: Fans six but takes loss Friday
Perkins (2-3) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Astros, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks across four innings. He struck out six.
The six punchouts represent the second-best mark in that category for Perkins this season, but overall, he wasn't very good in his return to the rotation while throwing just 49 of his 75 pitches for strikes. Considering that Aaron Civale (shoulder) and Luis Severino (shoulder) will remain on the injured list for several more weeks, Perkins' spot in the rotation should be safe for now. He should be making his next start in a tough matchup at home against the Brewers.
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Jacob Latz RP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Notches two-inning save
Latz notched his ninth save of the season in Friday's win over the Guardians. He tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three.
Latz entered the game in the eighth inning and recorded the final six outs while throwing 21 of his 35 pitches for strikes. He has a tight grip on the closer role and has recorded a save in each of his last four trips to the mound, a span in which he's posted an 8:1 K:BB across 5.1 innings. On the season, Latz has gone 9-for-11 in save chances.
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Spencer Miles RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Spencer Miles: Set for bulk-relief duty
Miles will work as a bulk reliever during Saturday's game against the Orioles, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Miles gave up six earned runs in just three innings while working as a traditional starter last Sunday on the road in Baltimore, so the Blue Jays will move him back into a bulk-relief role for a rematch with the Orioles at Rogers Centre. Right-hander Braydon Fisher will open the game for Toronto, likely working the first inning or two before handing the ball over to Miles, who owns a 2.37 ERA and 1.05 WHIP as a reliever this season.
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Braydon Fisher RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Braydon Fisher: Working as opener Saturday
Fisher will serve as Toronto's opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Orioles, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Fisher has been one of the Blue Jays' most effective high-leverage arms this season, posting a 2.62 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 34.1 innings. The Blue Jays will move him up to the first inning Saturday for what will be his fourth opener assignment of the season. Spencer Miles is likely to take over as a bulk reliever behind Fisher at some point during the first or second inning.
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Travis Adams RP | MIN
Twins' Travis Adams: Earns second save
Adams earned the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Royals, allowing one run on two hits in the ninth inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.
Adams was called upon with a three-run lead in the ninth inning and closed things out despite allowing a run. The 26-year-old has now converted both of his save chances this season, though he owns an unsightly 8.25 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB across 12 innings with the Twins.
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Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Overcomes pair of walks for save
Chapman earned the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Yankees, allowing two walks while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a hit.
Chapman walked two of the first three batters he faced in the ninth inning, but he came away with his 13th save of the season after getting Jose Caballero to fly out right field and Trent Grisham to ground out to first base. Chapman has not allowed a run over his last 15.2 innings, striking out 23 batters while logging 11 saves in that span. Chapman has been dealing with a hamstring issue recently, interim manager Chad Tracy told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com after the game, but the veteran closer seems intent on pitching through the injury.
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Ryan Helsley RP | BAL
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Could begin rehab stint next week
Helsley (elbow) could start a rehab assignment as early as Monday, MLB.com reports.
Helsley threw a bullpen session ahead of Friday's series opener in Toronto. If all continues go well in his recovery from right elbow inflammation, the hard-throwing right-hander appears to be on track for a mid-June return to Baltimore's bullpen. Until Helsley is back in the fold, the Orioles should continue to deploy Rico Garcia as their primary closer.
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Shaun Anderson RP | LAA
Angels' Shaun Anderson: DFA'd by Halos
The Angels designated Anderson for assignment Friday.
It's the second time this season that Anderson has been DFA'd by the Angels, with the first instance taking place in late April. He proceeded to ink a minor-league contract to return to the Angels and his contract was selected by the big club Wednesday, but he is being booted off the big club's 40-man roster again. The move corresponds with Los Angeles selecting Samy Natera's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake.
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Garrett Whitlock RP | BOS
Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock: Ready for rehab assignment
Whitlock (knee) will embark on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Whitlock is ready to take the next step in his recovery from left knee inflammation that led to him being placed on the 15-day injured list in late May. Red Sox manager Chad Tracy relayed that how Whitlock's knee reacts following Saturday's Triple-A game will determine whether the right-hander will need just one rehab outing before being activated from the IL.
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Joel Kuhnel RP | MIL
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: DFA'd following blowup game
The Athletics designated Kuhnel for assignment Friday.
The 31-year-old Kuhnel was on the mound for the Athletics' ninth-inning collapse Thursday against the Cubs. He allowed four runs on five hits across two-thirds of an inning, blowing a 6-3 lead. Kuhnel pitched to a 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 25.2 innings out of the bullpen this season.