MLB Player News

Cleavinger picked up the save in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Dodgers, surrendering one unearned run over one inning while not allowing any hits or walks.

Cleavinger got the call with a two-run lead in the bottom of the 10th and retired Shohei Ohtani in the first at-bat via a flyout, though Miguel Rojas was able to advance to third after tagging up. The left-handed reliever would then see Rojas come home on a sacrifice fly from Mookie Betts before getting Freddie Freeman to ground out for the final out of the contest. It marked Cleavinger's fourth save of the campaign and his first since May 18 against Toronto. He still appears to be third in line for save opportunities with Pete Fairbanks on the 15-day injured list due to a lat strain, behind Manuel Rodriguez, who got the win Saturday, and Edwin Uceta.

The Rays will recall Lopez from Triple-A Durham to start Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

He'll be joining the big club as a replacement in the rotation for Shane Baz (illness), who was scratched a day in advance of his scheduled start Sunday while he battles the flu. The Rays haven't indicated yet that Baz's illness is serious enough to force him to the injured list, so Lopez could be headed back to Durham following Sunday's outing. Lopez previously made a start for the Rays in 2023, but all three of his appearances for Tampa Bay in 2024 have come out of the bullpen. He holds a 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 84:33 K:BB across 70.2 innings over his 17 outings (15 starts) with Durham this season.

Boston manager Alex Cora was non-committal Saturday when asked if one rehab outing would be enough for Slaten (elbow) before returning from the 15-day injured list, MLB.com reports.

Slaten threw 17 pitches (eight strikes) for Double-A Portland on Friday, giving up a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning. Cora said Slaten was fine in terms of health but noted that the right-hander was out of rhythm. The Red Sox will evaluate him this weekend and decide if Slaten needs another rehab outing prior to being activated.

Hendriks (elbow) will make a third rehab appearance Sunday at Double-A Portland, MLB.com reports.

Hendriks opened his rehab assignment a week ago at Triple-A Worcester with an impressive 1-2-3 outing on 12 pitches (10 strikes) , then had less successful results four days later at Portland (one-third of an inning, one walk, one hit). The report estimates Hendriks could make between six to eight relief appearances while on assignment before being activated.

Akin (3-0) allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday over the Astros.

This was Akin's first game back from the paternity list, and he was able to capture the win after Jackson Holliday put the Orioles ahead with a three-run double in the sixth inning. Akin had been a little shaky recently, allowing five runs over 9.1 innings across his previous six appearances before welcoming his child into the world. Overall, the southpaw has a 3.46 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 79:16 K:BB while adding four holds over 65 innings this year, excelling as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for Baltimore.

Dominguez struck out one in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Astros.

Dominguez has been busy lately, securing three saves and losing two contests across five appearances over the past seven days. He locked up his fifth consecutive save chance for the Orioles on just eight pitches and owns a 2.77 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB across 13 innings since joining them July 26.

Brieske will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Brieske hasn't pitched since Wednesday, when he threw two innings while opening for Kenta Maeda. On Sunday, he should be expected to throw between one and three innings before exiting the game. Bryan Sammons is expected to follow Brieske in bulk relief.

Green earned the save against the Angels on Saturday, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Green was summoned to protect a 3-1 lead after Bowden Francis lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning and did so on 14 pitches. The veteran remains a perfect 14-for-14 in save attempts this year and owns a sterling 1.69 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB across 42.2 innings.

Fulmer (0-5) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over six innings.

Fulmer's eight punchouts tied a season high, but he unfortunately matched up against Bowden Francis who didn't allow a hit until the ninth inning. While Fulmer hasn't routinely worked deep into games, the 30-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven of eight starts since being moved into the rotation July 14. On the season, he owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 79:37 K:BB across 80.1 innings and lines up to face the Mariners at home next week.

Francis (7-3) earned the win against the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and three walks with 12 strikeouts over eight innings.

Francis carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Taylor Ward ended his outing with a solo home run. Francis threw a career-high 117 pitches, including a ridiculous 84 strikes, and registered double-digit punchouts for the first time ever. The 28-year-old has now completed at least seven innings in three consecutive outings while yielding just five total hits and two earned runs in that span. On the year, he owns a 4.02 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 70:19 K:BB across 71.2 innings and will try to keep the good times rolling against the Red Sox next week.