MLB Player News

Boxberger fired a scoreless fifth inning in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Yankees, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout.

Boxberger has been perfect save for one outing in September, and he's now compiled five consecutive scoreless efforts. The 29-year-old right-hander has been reasonably effective after a late start to his season due to a back injury, although a trio of outings in which he's surrendered multiple earned runs has helped lead to a somewhat bloated 3.62 ERA. Boxberger's ability to miss bats remains intact, however, as he's compiled 37 whiffs over 27.1 innings.

Mengden (2-2) took the loss against the Mariners on Tuesday, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over six-plus innings while striking out three.

He extended his scoreless streak to 19 innings before the M's hung two runs on him in the fourth, and then Mengden allowed the first two batters he saw in the seventh to reach base before getting the hook, only to watch as Ryan Dull immediately served up a three-run homer to Danny Valencia. Mengden is slated to start Oakland's regular-season finale Sunday on the road against the Rangers.

Diaz struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to notch his 33rd save of the season in a 6-3 win over the A's.

He's had his struggles this season, but Diaz now hasn't blown a save since late July, converting his last 15 opportunities. The 23-year-old's 12.0 K/9 this year is elite, but he'll need to improve on his 4.5 BB/9 and 1.4 HR/9 if he's going to take another step forward in 2018.

Shaw (4-6) was tagged with the loss against Minnesota on Tuesday after giving up a three-run homer to Brian Dozier in the eighth inning.

He did record a pair of strikeouts, but Shaw put the ducks on the pond for Dozier and then gave up the long ball, leaving him with a 3.55 ERA and 1.21 WHIP -- not exactly spectacular bullpen numbers, but not altogether dissimilar to what he put up last season. Shaw hasn't offered his fantasy owners many surprises, collecting 20-plus holds for the fourth consecutive season in a setup role in front of Cody Allen.

Belisle picked up his eighth save Tuesday by tossing a spotless ninth against the Indians.

Starter Bartolo Colon left the game after one inning with an illness, so this rapidly turned into a bullpen game, with Belisle the 10th pitcher deployed by manager Paul Molitor. A long-time middle-relief piece and occasional setup man, Belisle had just five saves in 13 seasons before 2017. However, he's been effective as the Twins' closer since the trade deadline, converting eight of 10 opportunities while allowing only five runs and 13 total baserunners in 16.2 innings. Belisle is set to close out the season with the ninth-inning role, but the 37-year-old righty probably won't carry it over to next year.

Ferrell (concussion) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Ferrell was placed in concussion protocol on Sept. 19, but he's moving in the right direction in his recovery -- he also threw Saturday. The 26-year-old has only thrown 9.1 innings in 2017, and would likely be in a mop-up role if he does return before the end of the year.

Pomeranz has experienced a dip in velocity recently, Bill Ballou of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.

Pomeranz's decreased fastball velocity was all the buzz post-game Monday when the left-hander exited after two-plus innings, but manager John Farrell downplayed it, suggesting that the calendar and the number of innings thrown has more to do with it than anything physical. When velocity is down, a pitcher needs to locate and Pomeranz didn't do it Monday.

McHugh (4-2) struck out six batters and allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks through five innings to earn the win Monday night over the Rangers.

McHugh hasn't completed the sixth innings since Aug. 25 in Los Angeles. At this point, the Astros seem to be relying on McHugh to give his all over short bursts before they turn to the bullpen. He's been effective despite his short starts, as McHugh has allowed just six earned runs over his last four outings.

Kahnle pitched a scoreless inning in Monday's win over the Royals, striking out two and walking one.

Kahnle has now tossed 13 consecutive scoreless outings after going through a bit of a rough patch toward the end of August. While he's earned the opportunity to be deployed in high-leverage situations, the back end of the Yankees' bullpen is simply too deep to allow Kahnle to see any save chances.

Pomeranz (16-6) allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk across just two innings while taking the loss Monday against the Blue Jays. He did not record a strikeout.

Pomeranz allowed a solo home run in the first inning before he was tagged for four runs on five hits and a walk in the second. He fell behind in the count on several occasions and worked up to 47 pitches before his removal ahead of the third. This poor outing comes as something of a surprise, as the lefty had delivered four quality starts in his last five. He will look to get back on track in his final regular-season start Saturday against the Astros.