MLB Player News

Holton worked as Detroit's opener against Cleveland on Thursday and allowed two hits while striking out two batters over two scoreless innings.

Holton served as the Tigers' opener for the third time this season and was effective in his two innings of work, giving up a pair of doubles but keeping the Guardians off the scoreboard. The southpaw extended his streak of scoreless outings to 12, and he's posted a 13:3 K:BB over 16 innings while notching two saves and two holds during that span. Overall, Holton has registered a 2.97 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 46:12 K:BB across 57.2 frames on the campaign.

Perez earned a save against the Marlins on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Primary closer Craig Kimbrel blew a save chance in the ninth inning, and the game went into an extra frame. Baltimore scored a run in the top of the 10th, and Perez was able to keep the automatic runner from crossing the plate in the bottom of the inning to notch his second save of the campaign. The southpaw isn't likely to see many more save opportunities this season, though he's gotten a good amount of high-leverage work and is tied for second on the team with 13 holds.

Kimbrel blew a save against the Marlins on Thursday, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.

Kimbrel came on in the ninth frame to try to protect a three-run lead but couldn't get the job done. After retiring the first batter he faced, the veteran closer gave up a pair of singles followed by a walk, then saw a run cross the plate on a fielding error behind him. A sacrifice fly and another single resulted in two more runs, the latter of which tied the game. Kimbrel has now blown two straight save chances and has given up six runs (four earned) over his past 2.2 innings, though he's pitched well enough overall this season to still have control of the closer role for Baltimore.

Miller worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Guardians. He struck out one.

Regular closer Jason Foley was used in the seventh inning of this bullpen game for Detroit, which set Miller up for his second save of the season. The veteran righty endured a rough patch in June but has been much better this month, posting a 0.84 ERA across 10.2 innings. Foley is still the favorite for saves in Detroit, though Miller gives the Tigers another option when needed.

Lucas (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Thursday against the Guardians. He struck out two.

Tyler Holton started the bullpen game for Detroit, with Lucas next up. The 27-year-old had allowed seven earned runs over his first four innings this season with the Athletics and Tigers, but he looked sharper in this one to earn his first MLB win. Lucas is still likely only going to serve as a low-leverage middle reliever in Detroit, so while the occasional win out of the bullpen is nice, he will be hard pressed to maintain much fantasy value.

Robertson picked up the save Thursday against the White Sox, striking out two batters over two perfect innings.

With Kirby Yates having pitched in three straight games, Robertson stayed on the mound for the ninth inning Thursday to land his second save of the campaign. Robertson has been a solid setup man for the Rangers this season, logging 21 holds in 44.2 innings with a 3.02 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and a 66:13 K:BB.

The Athletics placed Miller on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a fractured pinkie on his left hand, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Gallegos says Miller suffered the injury when he placed his hand down awkwardly on the training table while getting ready to do an exercise. It's not clear how long Miller might be sidelined, but it helps that the fracture is to his non-throwing hand. The injury could also lessen, if not eliminate, the possibility of Miller being dealt at the trade deadline. Lucas Erceg is the favorite to see save opportunities for the Athletics while Miller is out.

Francis is likely to be called up from Triple-A Buffalo to start one game of Monday's doubleheader versus the Orioles, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Yariel Rodriguez is tentatively lined up to pitch the other game Monday. Francis has tossed nine scoreless innings with a 13:1 K:BB in two starts since being optioned to Buffalo on July 14 and would be available on four days' rest Monday. Francis has been less effective during his time in the majors this season with a 5.82 ERA covering three starts and 13 relief outings.

Crouse (4-0) earned the win over Seattle on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

Crouse entered with the Mariners up 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning and threw 12 of his 15 pitches for strikes in a scoreless frame. The Angels then scored twice in the top of the eighth, putting the right-hander in line for the victory. Prior to his call-up June 21, Crouse last pitched in the majors during 2021, and he had struggled with injuries over his past two seasons. However, he's done well with Los Angeles, posting a 1.76 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB while compiling four wins over 15 appearances covering 15.1 frames.

The Rangers optioned Garabito to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

He made one appearance during his most recent stint with the big club, throwing a scoreless inning of relief in Wednesday's win over the White Sox. Garabito will move back to Round Rock to make room on the active roster for Dane Dunning (shoulder), who was reinstated from the injured list.