MLB Player News

Sousa secured the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Rockies, allowing one run on three hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Closer Josh Hader was presumably unavailable after notching the save in Tuesday's victory over Colorado, opening up a rare save opportunity for Sousa. Through 32.1 frames, Sousa has emerged as a weapon out of Houston's bullpen with a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 40:7 K:BB. The southpaw has also converted each of his three save chances to go with two holds this year, but he should continue to serve primarily as a middle reliever and setup man going forward.

Hoffman earned the save in Wednesday's 11-9 win over the Yankees, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hoffman was called upon to protect a two-run lead and closed out a back-and-forth contest on just 14 pitches. Since June 1, the 32-year-old has allowed only two earned runs across 13 appearances while converting seven of eight save chances. For the season, he's 20-for-24 in save opportunities with a 4.71 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 50:10 K:BB over 36.1 innings.

Uceta collected the save in the Rays' 6-5 win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out three batters.

After striking out the side in the eighth, Eric Orze was brought out for the ninth to protect the Rays' four-run lead, as Pete Fairbanks was unavailable after pitching the last two days. Orze was quickly pulled after yielding a solo homer to Max Muncy and a double to Austin Wynns, which prompted Uceta's insertion into Wednesday's game. Uceta gave up a single to four of the next five batters, but he managed to protect Tampa Bay's lead by striking out the last two batters he faced. Uceta has coughed up at least one earned run in three of his last five outings but has also collected 14 strikeouts over that span. He sits at a 5.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 36.1 innings this season.

Spence (2-4) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out five across five-plus innings. He did not issue a walk.

Spence was in control through the first five innings, with his lone blemish coming in the second when he gave up an inside-the-park home run to Jake Mangum. Spence entered the sixth looking to collect his first quality start of the season, but things quickly got out of hand after giving up a solo homer to Josh Lowe before yielding a two-run long shot to Yandy Diaz just two batters later. Spence has given up four earned runs in two of his last three outings, and in his six starts he sports a 3.64 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across 29.2 innings. He is slated to start against Atlanta at home next week, which might be his last turn in the rotation before the All-Star break.

Latz (undisclosed) struck out three and allowed two hits and no walks over three scoreless innings en route to earning a save in Tuesday's 10-2 win over the Orioles.

In his previous appearance during Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Orioles, Latz was lifted after 2.1 innings due to an apparent injury, but the Rangers felt comfortable enough with his health to turn to him in an extended relief outing two days later. Latz needed 43 pitches to record his nine outs and was credited with the first save of his career. The left-hander previously made a pair of starts in June but will likely work out of the bullpen moving forward following Nathan Eovaldi's recent return from the injured list.

The Tigers optioned Smith to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday after their 11-2 win over the Nationals in the first game of a doubleheader.

Smith was credited with his first MLB after tossing 3.1 scoreless innings in relief while allowing two hits and two walks without recording a strikeout. The right-hander has allowed just two earned runs over 13 major-league innings since the beginning of June, but because he's unlikely to be available for at least the next couple of days following the 43-pitch appearance, he was sent back to the minors. The Tigers recalled outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A to replace Smith on the 26-man active roster.

Bernardino will be Boston's opening pitcher for Wednesday's contest versus the Reds, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander will likely pitch just one inning before turning the game over to Cooper Criswell, who is slated to work in bulk relief. Bernardino holds a 4.26 ERA and 26:17 K:BB over 31.2 innings out of the Boston bullpen in 2025.

The Red Sox recalled Criswell from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Criswell will serve in a bulk-relief role behind opening pitcher Brennan Bernardino in Wednesday's game versus the Reds. The right-hander went five innings and threw 87 pitches Saturday for Worcester, so he won't have a normal starter's workload Wednesday while pitching on short rest. Since Criswell is being designated as the Red Sox's 27th man for the day after Boston and Cincinnati resumed Tuesday's suspended game earlier Wednesday, he's expected to head back to Triple-A immediately after the contest.

The Orioles designated Bowman for assignment Wednesday.

Bowman was just added to the roster Sunday and was bludgeoned for four runs on six hits and one walk over 1.2 innings in his lone appearance. He's already accepted three outright assignments by the Orioles since March and could do so again, if he clears waivers.

The Orioles placed Akin on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to left shoulder inflammation.

It's unclear when the injury popped up, but Akin has struggled lately, being scored upon in three of his last four appearances. He will be eligible for activation at the start of the second half, but the Orioles haven't divulged a return timetable for the reliever.