MLB Player News

Clase notched a save against the Giants on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Clase inherited a two-run ninth-inning lead and worked around a two-out single to retire the side on 14 pitches. Though the veteran closer has allowed at least one baserunner in each of his past five appearances and has a mediocre 4:4 BB:K across 4.2 frames during that span, he's converted three of four save opportunities in that stretch. It certainly hasn't been Clase's smoothest season -- he's currently holding a 3.69 ERA and 1.48 WHIP, each of which is on pace to be a career-worst mark -- but he's managed to go 16-for-19 in save chances to remain comfortably in control of Cleveland's closer role.

Fairbanks struck out one without allowing a baserunner across a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday against the Orioles.

Fairbanks was called upon to protect a four-run lead in a non-save situation and set down the Orioles on only 12 pitches. Wednesday's outing was Fairbanks' 30th of the season, 26 of which have been scoreless. Despite racking up only 26 strikeouts across 29.1 innings for the season, Fairbanks has been effective as the locked-in closer for the Rays, converting 13 of 15 save chances with a 2.15 ERA.

Armstrong will start Thursday against the Royals in what's expected to be a bullpen game for the Rangers, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers remain without a No. 5 starter while Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) is on the injured list, so Armstrong will be called upon to fill the gap again after he previously covered the first three innings of last Friday's win over the White Sox. Jacob Latz will be available on four days' rest and could be called upon to fill multiple innings once Armstrong exits the contest. The 34-year-old Armstrong has been enjoying a nice bounce-back campaign, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through 30 innings.

Estevez threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.

Estevez was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and needed just 12 pitches to retire the top of the Rangers' order. It was a solid rebound after taking the loss on Sunday, and the 32-year-old has now held opponents scoreless in 25 of his 31 appearances this season. He ranks second in the majors with 20 saves and owns a 1.99 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB across 31.2 innings.

Lauer (3-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Diamondbacks, allowing a run on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight.

Lauer was excellent Wednesday, blanking Arizona for five innings before ultimately allowing a leadoff triple in the sixth to Corbin Carroll, who came around to score after the Jays turned to the bullpen. The 30-year-old Lauer lowered his ERA to 2.29 through 35.1 innings this season, which is accompanied by a 0.93 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB. The left-hander certainly made a case to remain in Toronto's rotation going forward, even with Max Scherzer (thumb) nearing a return from the IL.

Jansen earned the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Yankees, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

After Paul Goldschmidt reached on an error to start the ninth, Jansen managed to set down the next three Yankees to seal the Angels' one-run victory and deliver his second straight scoreless outing. The veteran Jansen is a perfect 15-for-15 in save chances this season despite posting a mediocre 4.56 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP over 25.2 innings.

Weissert walked one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Mariners.

All three of the right-hander's saves have come since June 10, but the first two opportunities arose while Aroldis Chapman was getting a rest due to a heavy workload. That wasn't the case Wednesday -- Chapman pitched the eighth inning and faced the top of the Seattle order, while Weissert was called on to retire the 4-5-6 hitters for the M's and got the job done thanks to a double-play grounder from Dominic Canzone. Weissert seems to have earned the trust of manager Alex Cora, and over his last 15.2 innings dating back to May 16, the 30-year-old reliever has a 1.72 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB with a win and eight holds in addition to his recent batch of saves.

The Astros recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

All 29 of Hernandez's appearances this season have come in Triple-A, where he owns an impressive 1.74 ERA and 0.97 WHIP alongside a 42:13 K:BB through 31 innings. He'll now be called upon to serve as a middle-relief option for Houston, replacing Jason Alexander in the bullpen.

The Orioles optioned Wolfram to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

The transaction frees a spot on the active roster for lefty Trevor Rogers, who was recalled from Triple-A to start Wednesday versus the Rays. Wolfram's latest stint with the Orioles lasted only one day, and he did not make an appearance.

Long (elbow) is expected to be activated this week against Texas or San Diego, MLB.com reports.

Long was placed on the injured list April 13 with left elbow inflammation and has been rehabbing in the minor leagues since May 20. After opening his rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League, the left-hander was transferred to Triple-A Omaha, where he's struggled to an 11.25 ERA and 2.50 WHIP across eight innings. He also posted a rough 12.86 ERA and 2.43 WHIP in his first seven outings with Kansas City. With Long's rehab window nearly expired -- and no minor-league options remaining -- the 29-year-old is at a crossroads within the organization.