MLB Player News

Mata (hamstring/shoulder) struck out two over two scoreless innings in his rehab start Sunday with Double-A Portland. He gave up one hit and hit another batter with a pitch.

Mata has resided on the Red Sox's 15-day injured list all season. He was initially placed on the IL coming out of spring training due to a right hamstring strain, and after making three rehab appearances in May, he was shut down for just over three weeks due to shoulder and lat soreness. Mata will likely continue to make multi-inning starts or relief appearances with Portland or Triple-A Worcester and could remain on assignment in the minors for close to the maximum 30 days. The 25-year-old right-hander has yet to make his MLB debut and wouldn't appear to be big-league ready after posting a 6.33 ERA and 2.19 WHIP in 27 innings with Worcester in 2023. However, because he doesn't have minor-league options remaining, the Red Sox are expected to keep him on the 26-man active roster as a low-leverage bullpen arm once he's reinstated from the IL.

Kelly struck out two over a scoreless inning and stranded three runners in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Yankees.

For the second time in the series, Kelly was a Yankee stopper. After retiring all six batters faced Friday, the right-hander entered Sunday's contest with the bases loaded and none out in a one-run game. He struck out the first two batters before getting a line out to center field. Kelly was facing the bottom third of New York's lineup, but the Houdini escape act was no less impressive. He's struck out 12 over 7.1 innings since being called up from Triple-A Worcester.

Hader allowed one earned run on two hits and no walks while striking out two in the ninth inning Sunday against the Tigers.

Hader entered the game with the Astros up 4-0 and allowed consecutive hits with one out to surrender the earned run. He's given up at least one earned run in three of his last 10 appearances, though he has maintained 14:1 K:BB across 9.2 innings in that span. Though not primarily his fault, Hader has not tallied a save since June 3.

Sborz (shoulder) allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Sborz started a rehab assignment Sunday and threw 20 pitches (10 strikes), with his fastball topping out at 95.7 mph. Per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, Sborz had been scheduled to throw an inning. Texas manager Bruce Bochy didn't give a specific number of outings or innings for the reliever, who's been out since May 8 with right shoulder tightness.

Santos (lat) threw a 30-pitch up-and-down bullpen session Saturday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Santos tossed 15 pitches in both of his sets and mixed in all of his pitches. Assuming Santos comes out of the side session without any renewed discomfort in his right lat, he'll likely be cleared to face hitters in a live batting practice session later this week. The Mariners remain optimistic that Santos will return from the 60-day injured list and make his team debut at some point in July.

Holton tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Astros. He struck out one.

Holton continued his strong June, as he now has a 1.00 ERA and 0.44 WHIP across nine innings this month. For the season, the lefty has a solid 3.58 ERA and 0.74 WHIP across 37.2 innings. That's on top of the excellent 2.11 ERA and 0.87 WHIP he registered across 85.1 innings in 2023. Holton isn't seeing regular save opportunities yet, though he has established himself as a trusted member of the Detroit bullpen, and he could push for a larger role if he continues to pitch well.

Jax allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in an 8-7 win over the Athletics in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Jax hadn't logged a save since May 10, but he received the opportunity to do so Sunday after Jhoan Duran closed out the matinee game. While the two relievers initially shared closing duties early in May, Duran has been the Twins' main closer for about a month while Jax has settled into a setup role. Jax has been excellent all year with a 2.30 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 43:8 K:BB with six saves, 12 holds and two blown saves over 31.1 innings.

Duran retired the only batter he faced to earn the save in a 6-2 win over the Athletics in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Cole Sands left two runners on with two outs, but Duran was able to get Abraham Toro to ground out to end the contest. This was Duran's first save in five appearances, though he added a hold and two wins in that span. The closer is up to 11 saves, four holds, a 3.60 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and a 17:8 K:BB over 20 innings this year.

Fairbanks worked a scoreless ninth to earn the save Sunday against Atlanta. He walked one and struck out two.

Fairbanks worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth, striking out Ozzie Albies to secure his 10th save in 11 opportunities. Fairbanks' performance came on the heels of him allowing his first earned run since mid-April on Saturday, a span of 15 outings. For the season, he holds a 3.13 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 23 innings with 25 strikeouts.

Caceres underwent season-ending surgery in March to address a right lat strain, MLB.com reports.

Caceres suffered the injury in spring training and opened the season on Triple-A Salt Lake's 60-day injured list. The Angels recalled Caceres on May 9, but the move was merely procedural, as he was simultaneously placed on the big club's 60-day IL for the purpose of opening up a spot on the 40-man roster. Caceres, who made two relief appearances for the Angels in 2023, should be back to full health -- or close to it -- for the start of spring training in 2025.