MLB Player News

Varland earned the save in Friday's 6-5 win over the Reds, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Blue Jays grabbed the lead thanks to a four-run seventh inning, and Varland shut the door on the Reds in the ninth, striking out the first and last batter he faced in the frame. He's fanned two batters in five of his last six outings, and his 35 saves on the season are tied with David Bednar and Aroldis Chapman for fifth-most in the majors. Varland also sports a 1.27 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 78 innings.

Baker collected the save in Friday's 2-0 win over the Phillies, tossing one scoreless inning without allowing a hit or walk.

Baker needed only 11 pitches (eight strikes) to get through the ninth inning, with five of those pitches coming on the final out. The veteran closer has earned the win or save five of his last six outings, and his 41 saves are tied with Cade Smith for most in the majors this season. Baker has a 1.44 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 63:22 K:BB over 62.1 innings.

The Mariners recalled Taylor from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Taylor will come up from the minors as a replacement for Andres Munoz (knee), who landed on the injured list Friday. The 25-year-old Taylor has spent all season at Tacoma, logging a 5.14 ERA and 1.75 WHIP across 56 innings, and he'll likely be limited to low-leverage work during the final weekend of the regular season.

The Mariners placed Munoz on the 15-day injured list Friday with right knee inflammation.

Munoz hasn't pitched since Sunday due to knee problems, and although MRI results on his knee came back negative Tuesday, the Mariners will play it safe and shut their closer down for the year. The 27-year-old didn't quite live up to expectations this season, posting a 4.24 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 57.1 innings, but he still managed to turn in 28 saves and an 89:24 K:BB. Troy Taylor was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Yankees transferred Cruz (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The move corresponds with Alexander Cornielle being promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Orioles. There's a chance Cruz returns to action if the Yankees make it to the World Series, though it's more likely that the right-hander is shelved for the rest of the 2026 season due to a partial UCL tear in his right elbow.

The Red Sox recalled Paez from Triple-A Worcester after the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Paez will be up to provide length out of the bullpen in the nightcap, replacing Raymond Burgos on the active roster. Paez has allowed a whopping 14 runs in 6.2 innings in the majors, but he fared well in five starts with Worcester this season, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 26:3 K:BB in 21.2 innings. He threw six innings of one-run ball in his most recent Triple-A outing back on Sept. 15.

The Red Sox optioned Burgos after the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Burgos tossed two hitless and scoreless innings in Game 1, fanning three. With MLB not allowing teams to add an extra player for twin bills in September, Boston went ahead and swapped Burgos out for a fresh arm in Jedixson Paez.

The Rays reinstated Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

After logging a trio of rehab appearances with Triple-A Durham, Rodriguez returns to the big-league bullpen, replacing Jake Woodford. Rodriguez has made just four appearances for the Rays so far this season in between IL stints, after taking the ball 31 times for Tampa Bay last regular season.

The Rays designated Woodford for assignment Friday.

Woodford was called up Thursday to provide innings, and he ended up allowing three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 frames in the series finale against the Yankees. Manuel Rodriguez (back) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

The Blue Jays recalled Klein from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Klein has spent nearly all of the 2026 campaign at the Triple-A level, holding a 6.36 ERA and 95:51 K:BB over 86.1 innings. The 24-year-old will be available to absorb some innings this weekend as the Blue Jays close out the regular season.