MLB Player News

Stanek (6-2) got the win over the Orioles on Thursday, firing a clean seventh inning during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Stanek entered the game a bit earlier than customary and delivered a crisp 11-pitch effort that saw him locate nine of his offerings for strikes. The hard-throwing right-hander then became the pitcher of record when the Mariners broke open a 2-2 tie with a five-run inning in the home half of the frame. Stanek's six victories are a career high, and the ultra-efficient outing against a dangerous offense was a welcome sight after the Twins had touched him up for two runs over one inning in his most recent appearance Sunday.

The Twins recalled Winder from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.

Winder has spent all of this season in the minors after recovering from a shoulder issue, having posted a 4.78 ERA and 28:8 K:BB over 26.1 innings with St. Paul. He will give the Twins a bullpen arm capable of going multiple innings.

Slaten allowed two runs on two walks and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's 6-5 extra-innings win over Miami.

Slaten managed to pick up his ninth hold of the season, but he walked the eighth- and ninth-place batters and was replaced by Brennan Bernardino, who allowed both inherited runners to score. Slaten, a Rule 5 selection who has performed well overall, has hit a rough patch of late. In his last eight outings, the right-hander has allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits (including two home runs) and four walks over 11 innings. Prior to that, Slaten owned a 2.73 ERA and walked just four batters in 29.2 innings.

Bernardino allowed two hits over one-third of an inning and was charged with his first blown save in Thursday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Marlins.

Bernardino has been exceptional as a high-leverage reliever but was unable to preserve the lead Thursday. The left-hander, who entered the game having prevented 15 of 17 inherited runners from scoring, permitted both inherited runners to score in the bottom of the eighth inning, allowing Miami to tie the game. Bernardino has a 1.17 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 30.2 innings.

Fairbanks picked up the save over the Royals on Thursday, allowing one run on one hit over one inning while striking out one.

Fairbanks entered the contest with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and retired the first two batters in succession before surrendering a solo homer to Bobby Witt. The right-hander was then able to get Vinnie Pasquantino to ground out for the final out of the game, securing his 14th save of the season. Fairbanks has now converted each of his last four save attempts, though he's also allowed a run in four of his last nine appearances.

Weissert earned a save against the Marlins on Thursday by allowing an unearned run on two hits over one inning.

Primary closer Kenley Jansen was deployed in a tie game in the ninth inning, so Boston turned to Weissert after taking a two-run lead in the top of the 12th frame. The right-hander gave up a leadoff single followed by a sacrifice fly to allow the automatic runner to cross the plate, but he was able to close out the contest despite giving up another hit with two outs. The save was the first of his career for Weissert, who has been used mainly in lower-leverage situations this season. He has just two holds over 37 appearances while posting a 3.41 ERA and 39:9 :BB across 37 innings.

Hader earned a save against the Blue Jays on Thursday, allowing one hit in one scoreless inning.

Hader entered in the ninth inning with Houston holding a two-run lead and immediately allowed a single to bring the tying run to the plate. However, he then induced a double play -- Toronto's fifth double play of the contest -- and needed just nine pitches overall to nail down his 14th save. Despite the successful outing, Hader snapped an eight-game streak of appearances with at least one punchout. He had posted a 14:1 K:BB across eight frames during that stretch.

Shuster (1-1) took the loss Thursday against Cleveland, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks across two innings. He struck out two.

Shuster drew his first start of the season Thursday. Considering he'd thrown three innings four times this season and had thrown only one-third of an inning since June 27, there was optimism he'd be able to go deeper into Thursday's game, but he made it only two innings before being yanked. It's unclear if he was on a pitch count or if his removal was due to a lackluster performance. Regardless, the 25-year-old should be expected to head back to the bullpen, especially with Mike Clevinger (elbow/neck) likely to return next week.

Baker (1-1) allowed three runs on a hit and two walks while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Thursday versus the Mariners.

Baker loaded the bases in the seventh inning, and Keegan Akin couldn't prevent J.P. Crawford from unloading them with a three-run double. The Orioles didn't recover from that, sending Baker to his first loss of the season. The right-hander posted a five-inning scoreless streak upon his promotion from Triple-A Norfolk, but he's since given up seven runs over his last 5.2 innings. He's added three holds and an 8:3 K:BB this season, but he's unlikely to fill anything more than a middle-relief role.

Contreras (1-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out one across 2.2 innings to take the loss versus the Athletics on Thursday.

Contreras lasted three frames in his previous start, also against Oakland, but he ran into trouble in the third frame Thursday. The right-hander has pitched to a 3.72 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 19.1 innings across 11 appearances with the Angels, though none of those outings have been longer than three innings. He's started his last two games since the Angels lack few in-house options for their rotation. Overall, he's at a 4.04 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 32:18 K:BB through 35.2 innings between the Angels and the Pirates this year. If he receives another start, it's projected to be at home versus the Rangers early next week.