MLB Player News

Smith recorded the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the White Sox, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Smith was brought out for the ninth to protect the Guardians' two-run lead. He made his save look effortless, tossing just 10 pitches (eight strikes) before finishing things out by getting Lenyn Sosa to strike out swinging. Smith has logged two saves over his last three outings and has a 2.75 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 73:18 K:BB across 52.1 innings this season.

Cantillo (3-2) earned the win against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three across 5.2 innings.

His three punchouts were his lowest since joining the Guardians rotation, but it was a strong outing from Cantillo, with his lone blemish coming in the second inning on a Michael Taylor solo homer. It was the second game in a row in which Cantillo pitched into the sixth inning, and in his seven games as a starter he has a 4.36 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB across 33 innings. He's slated to make his next start against Atlanta at home next weekend.

Morales will start Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Morales most recently logged two innings in his big-league debut Aug. 1, and prior to that, he had been logging between one and three innings per outing at Triple-A Las Vegas. With that in mind, Morales' first big-league start will likely be a short one. Morales has big-time stuff, with his fastball having touched triple digits in the past, but his control has been much better since he started pitching in shorter stints after giving up six runs in 2.1 innings in a June 21 start. After that, he had a 2.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB in 18 innings over nine appearances before getting the call to the majors. Osvaldo Bido could be an option to log multiple innings after Morales exits Sunday.

Stephenson threw a bullpen session Friday and "came through it fine," per interim manager Ray Montgomery, and the veteran reliever may next begin a minor-league rehab assignment, according to MLB.com.

Stephenson has had an injury-plagued campaign and has gotten into only two games so far for the Angels. His current injury is a stretched nerve in his right biceps and he's on the 60-day IL, so he isn't eligible to be activated until the final week of August. The positive news is that Stephenson has been able to deploy his full arsenal during recent bullpen sessions, and while he could be asked to toss more bullpens before he's deemed ready for game action, a minor-league rehab stint appears to be in the works in the near future.

Cruz (oblique) is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session with Double-A Somerset on Sunday, Peter Sblendorio of the New York Daily News reports.

Cruz has been on the injured list since June 30 due to a severe left oblique strain. He began throwing bullpen sessions in late July and has shown enough progress to advance to facing hitters. Since Cruz's absence has already lasted over a month, he'll likely need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he's ready to rejoin the Yankees. Nonetheless, a return before the end of August is feasible.

The Athletics recalled Harris from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

With Luis Severino (oblique) headed for the IL, Harris will return to the big club to provide the team with extra bullpen depth while the A's work out who will take the open rotation spot. The 28-year-old southpaw owns a 4.35 ERA through 41.1 innings in the majors this season and will likely be limited to middle-relief duties.

Brash struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Rays.

Andres Munoz had worked Wednesday and Thursday, so Brash got the call for the save opportunity and mowed down Tampa Bay's 2-3-4 hitters on 19 pitches (10 strikes). Brash missed the first month-plus of the season while completing his recovery from a hybrid Tommy John surgery/internal brace procedure on his elbow performed in May 2024, but since getting back on the mound he's been almost untouchable, posting a 1.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB over 30 innings. Munoz's numbers are also elite as the team's closer, but Brash's presence gives the M's perhaps the best high-leverage duo in the league.

Jax (1-6) allowed three earned runs on three hits while striking out one across one inning to take the loss Friday against the Mariners.

This marked Jax's fourth appearance since he was dealt to the Rays, and the second in which he's allowed at least one earned run. He entered the game in the eighth inning with a two-run lead but allowed a pair of singles before serving up a three-run home run to Cal Raleigh. Jax now has an inflated 4.93 ERA on the season, but his 76:15 K:BB in 49.1 innings is indicative of how dominant he's been for long stretches of the campaign.

Hader (6-2) allowed one unearned run on one walk and one hit across two innings to earn the win Friday against the Yankees.

Hader entered the game with the score tied at 2-2 in the ninth inning. He pitched a clean opening frame and then managed to protect a three-run lead in the 10th inning, despite giving up a run-scoring single to the second batter he faced. Hader has now gone eight appearances without allowing an earned run, picking up three saves and a win in that span.

Williams (3-5) took the loss against the Astros on Friday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and no walks with one strikeout in the 10th inning.

Williams was called upon in the extra frame and immediately allowed the runner on second to score before surrendering a two-run homer. He's struggled mightily over his past four outings, giving up seven earned runs with two blown saves and two losses as the Yankees fight for a playoff spot. Although the 30-year-old is 17-for-20 in save chances this season, he carries a miserable 5.73 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB across 44 innings. According to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, manager Aaron Boone is trying to find softer landing spots for Williams, indicating he's likely lost his grip on the closer role for the time being.