MLB Player News
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Kirby Yates RP | LAA
Rangers' Kirby Yates: Collects sixth win
Yates (6-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the A's, allowing a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning. He struck out one.
Entering a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning, Yates put a couple runners aboard with two outs but got Daz Cameron to fly out to end the threat, and the Rangers closer was rewarded when his team walked it off in the bottom of the frame. Yates blew his first save of the year Aug. 18, but it was otherwise another strong month for the veteran right-hander, who delivered a 1.93 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over 14 August innings.
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Tyler Holton RP | DET
Tigers' Tyler Holton: Records save Saturday
Holton worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Red Sox.
Holton followed starter Tarik Skubal, who dazzled across eight innings. The Detroit reliever kept things up and earned his sixth save of the season. Presumptive top closer Jason Foley was likely available, as he last pitched on Wednesday, but the Tigers turned to Holton to face the top of Boston's lineup. That meant matchups with left-handed batters Jarren Duran and Rafael Devers, so perhaps that favored the southpaw Holton. Either way, he's firmly in the mix for saves in Detroit, and he's earned the opportunity with a strong 2.44 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 77.1 innings this season.
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Cameron Booser SP | TB
Red Sox's Cam Booser: Not part of roster expansion
Booser (elbow) won't be activated from the 15-day injured list Sunday when the Red Sox's active roster expands from 26 to 28 men, MLB.com reports.
Booser had a successful initial appearance on his rehab assignment, striking out three batters Thursday for Triple-A Worcester, and was in consideration to be added Sunday. However, his recovery day wasn't as a good as the Red Sox hoped. As such, the club plans to add right-hander Chase Shugart from Worcester to bolster its bullpen depth.
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Ryan Pressly RP | CHC
Astros' Ryan Pressly: Steps in for save Saturday
Pressly earned a save against the Royals on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.
Primary closer Josh Hader pitched both Thursday and Friday, so he was unavailable for Saturday's contest. As a result, Houston manager Joe Espada turned to Pressly -- who racked up 90 saves as the team's closer from 2021 to 2023 -- to slam the door shut in the ninth inning against Kansas City. The right-hander allowed a two-out single but had little trouble closing things out. Pressly may get an occasional save chance when Hader is held out, but his primary role moving forward will likely be to serve as one of the Astros' top setup men.
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Adrian Houser SP | SF
Orioles' Adrian Houser: Nets MiLB deal with Baltimore
Houser agreed to a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Houser was released by the Mets in late July, but he caught on with the Cubs on Aug. 7 on a minor-league deal, only to be cut less than a month later. Now with his third organization of the season, Houser should provide starting depth for the Orioles at Triple-A Norfolk, but his lack of a 40-man roster spot could be an obstacle in getting another big-league opportunity in 2024.
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Walter Pennington RP | BAL
Rangers' Walter Pennington: Will open Sunday
Pennington will serve as the Rangers' opening pitcher for Sunday's series finale against the Athletics, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Despite having just four minor-league starts under his belt over the past three seasons, Pennington will get his first major-league start Sunday. He's pitched more than one inning twice across his seven outings with the Rangers this season, with the last instance coming Aug. 23 against the Guardians, when he threw three innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out three. Jose Urena and Chase Anderson are the top candidates to serve in bulk relief, though the former tossed four scoreless innings Wednesday against the White Sox and may not be available to provide much length.
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Tim Herrin RP | CLE
Guardians' Tim Herrin: Leaves game Saturday
Herrin left Saturday's game against the Pirates in the eighth inning of due to a left arm injury, Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Herrin was hit in the arm by a liner from Oneil Cruz, and the 27-year-old reliever was replaced by Eli Morgan shortly thereafter. Across his 19 outings since the All-Star break, Herrin has a 3.63 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 17.1 innings.
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Gabe Speier RP | SEA
Mariners' Gabe Speier: Sent back to Tacoma
The Mariners optioned Speier to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Speier made one appearance with the Mariners after being recalled Aug. 23, pitching a scoreless frame against the Giants while striking out two batters. He'll now give up his spot on the active roster to Luis Urias, as the Mariners opt to add another bat to their bench.
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Chase Anderson RP | TEX
Rangers' Chase Anderson: Contract selected
The Rangers selected Anderson's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Anderson signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Aug. 5, and although he has since allowed nine earned runs in just 11.2 innings, he'll join the big-league squad to provide Texas with a multi-inning relief option. Dane Dunning was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Janson Junk RP | MIA
Athletics' Janson Junk: Claimed by Oakland
The Athletics claimed Junk off waivers from the Astros on Saturday.
Junk never appeared in a game for the Astros, and he was designated for assignment Thursday after posting a 6.14 ERA and 1.34 WHIP through 14.2 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land. He'll now presumably return to the majors as he switches organizations, though Junk will likely operate as a low-leverage arm out of the Oakland bullpen. The Athletics moved Miguel Andujar (abdomen) to the 60-day IL to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Junk.