MLB Player News

Puk didn't allow a hit through 5.1 innings in High-A Stockton's win over Lake Elsinore on Monday but gave up an earned run on a fielder's choice, Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com reports.

The 2016 No. 6 overall pick also racked up seven strikeouts, issued four walks and hit a batter. Puk fired 94 pitches overall, getting 57 into the strike zone. The towering southpaw has compiled 61 strikeouts in just 39.2 innings, while allowing just 28 hits and generating a 3.86 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and .193 BAA over that span.

Alvardo fired a scoreless inning in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Angels, recording a strikeout.

Alvarado was summoned to the big-league club from Triple-A Durham and has been a solid left-handed option for manager Kevin Cash. The 22-year-old stumbled in his debut against the Marlins on May 3, but he's given up just an earned run in the 7.2 innings across his subsequent eight outings. His progressively dwindling 4.15 ERA is therefore simply a remnant of his rocky first outing, while his 0.58 WHIP is elite.

Fulmer (5-2) allowed just one run on eight hits and a walk while striking out four over seven innings, but he was handed a tough-luck loss Monday in 1-0 defeat in Houston.

Houston's first-inning run was all it needed to capture the victory and hand Fulmer his first loss since April 18. Through his first seven starts, opposing hitters managed a paltry .196 BAA with a 23 percent strikeout rate over 46 innings. However, Fulmer's been a bit off over his last two games, owning a .305 BAA with a 13 percent strikeout rate. Last season's AL Rookie of the Year still maintains phenomenal numbers, ranking in the AL's top-10 for wins, innings (60), ERA (2.55) and WHIP (1.08). Fulmer will toe the rubber next on Saturday versus the White Sox.

Giles picked up his 12th save of the season, striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning in Monday's 1-0 win over the Tigers.

Giles' 3.44 ERA doesn't inspire too much confidence, but not much has gone wrong for him when there's a save opportunity. Of the seven runs he's allowed in 2017, five have come in non-save situations. He's converted 12 of 13 chances, including five straight.

Devenski (3-2) didn't allow a hit or walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Monday's 1-0 win over the Tigers.

When it was learned manager A.J. Hinch was going to use a bunch of relievers to replace Dallas Keuchel (neck, DL), we knew one of those relievers would be the multi-inning monster Devenski. He came on with one out and a man on in the fifth inning and proceeded to eliminate that threat and then hurl two more scoreless innings. Through 15 appearances, the right-hander has a 2.67 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 46 strikeouts over 27 innings. As a volume reliever who strikes out more than 15 batters per nine innings, there's some fantasy value in Devenski.

Betances worked around a hit with one strikeout to record his third save of the season in Monday's 4-2 win over the Royals.

Betances allowed a leadoff single in the ninth inning before sitting down the next three men he faced, needing just 16 total pitches to retire the side. He's only pitched four times over the last 13 days, but each of the big righty's last three appearances have resulted in saves. Betances has looked quite comfortable since moving into the vacancy created by the injury to Aroldis Chapman (shoulder), and he should hold plenty of fantasy value until the latter returns sometime next month.

Pagan was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

This will be Pagan's second stint with the big club in 2017, as he appeared in two games for the Mariners earlier in the season, allowing five runs through 2.2 innings. Despite his big-league struggles, Pagan does own a 3.24 ERA and 21:7 K:BB through 16.2 innings at Triple-A this season. Pagan replaced Chris Heston on the roster, though his stint could prove to be short with the Mariners in need of another spot starter over the weekend.

Saupold was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Monday.

The Australian right-hander has been solid as a starter in the minors, posting a 2.90 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in seven starts with the Mud Hens. He'll claim the spot of recently demoted pitcher Anibal Sanchez, although it's unlikely that Saupold will fill anything larger than a middle-relief role.

Axford (shoulder) gave up an earned run on a hit over one inning in Sunday's 12-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Axford finally made his 2017 debut, giving up an RBI groundout to Deven Marrero over his one inning but looking sharp otherwise. The veteran right-hander displayed solid control, firing 16 of 23 pitches for strikes. A healthy and effective Axford would be an excellent addition to Oakland's relief corps, considering he turned in 15 holds over 68 appearances in his first Athletics season in 2016.

Lawrence fired 1.1 scoreless innings in Sunday's 8-1 loss to the White Sox, recording one strikeout.

The 29-year-old right-hander had endured a rough Mariners debut in the opening game of the series against the White Sox on Thursday, giving up a pair of earned runs on four hits over two innings. Sunday's effort was therefore encouraging, especially considering Lawrence had arrived in Seattle with an 0-3 record and 8.78 ERA amassed over four appearances with the Blue Jays in April. Lawrence figures to see fairly regular work for the time being, considering the fatigued state of the Mariners' bullpen and the injury-riddled condition of the starting rotation.