MLB Player News

Strickland (2-1) earned the win in relief over San Diego on Monday, allowing one hit and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Tyler Anderson allowed just one run over 6.2 standout frames before turning the ball over to Strickland with runners on second and third and two outs in the seventh inning. The reliever escaped the jam by getting David Peralta to fly out, then wiggled out of his own two-on, one-out situation in the eighth. Strickland subsequently became the pitcher of record when the Angels broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of that frame. Though he has primarily pitched in lower-leverage situations this year, Strickland has been arguably the team's most effective reliever, posting a 1.75 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB over 25.2 innings while notching two wins and two holds.

Triple-A Salt Lake placed Wantz on its 7-day injured list April 19 with a right forearm injury, Taylor Blake Ward of TheSportingTribune.com reports.

Wantz has worked almost exclusively as a reliever at the big-league level with the Angels over the previous three seasons, but he had been working out of the rotation at Salt Lake after being optioned to Triple-A coming out of spring training. The right-hander had gotten off to a solid start in his first four starts with Salt Lake with a 4.15 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB across 17.1 innings, but the forearm injury has halted any momentum Wantz might have built toward a possible promotion to the big leagues. It's unclear when Wantz might be ready to head out on a rehab assignment with one of the Angels' lower-level affiliates.

Richards will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher Tuesday against the Orioles, Mike Wilner of The Toronto Star reports.

Richards has gone more than one inning in seven of his 25 relief appearances this season, including a 3.1-inning appearance last Wednesday against the White Sox. However, he hasn't thrown more than 38 pitches in any outing and will be pitching on just one day of rest after making an one-inning appearance Sunday versus Pittsburgh. The expectation is that Bowden Francis (forearm) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to work in bulk relief behind Richards.

Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Kelly has received a one-year suspension for violating the league's gambling policy, Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal reports.

MLB's investigation determined that Kelly bet a total of $99.22 on MLB games during a time he was with the Astros' Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land during the 2021 season. Currently, Kelly is on the Oakland roster and has posted a 2.59 ERA over 28 relief appearances with the big club. He won't appeal the suspension.

The Athletics optioned Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Basso has made two scoreless relief appearances for the Athletics this season. The left-hander has been used as a starter during his time with Las Vegas and will likely get stretched back out in its rotation.

Estevez struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning and earned a save over the Padres on Monday.

Estevez needed only 10 pitches to quickly finish off the 2-1 victory. He's given up one earned run over his last 6.1 innings, lowering his season ERA to 4.50 through 18 frames. Estevez has converted three straight save chances and is now nine for 12 in those situations this season.

Hader earned a save against the Cardinals on Monday, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Entering with a 7-4 lead in the ninth inning, Hader needed only 14 pitches to secure his ninth save of the season. Hader has only allowed one run over his past 11 appearances and is now 9-for-10 in save attempts in 2024. He currently owns a 3.54 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB in 28 innings.

Brieske (1-0) tossed three scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Monday's 2-1 victory against the Rangers. He allowed one hit and struck out four.

After six solid innings from starter Tarik Skubal, Brieske came in and looked just as sharp as the team's ace. Brieske has been stellar so far for the Tigers, posting a 1.59 ERA across 11.1 innings, having been scored upon only once in six appearances. The righty's fantasy value is limited as a long reliever, though he'd get a boost if he sees more high-leverage work due to his strong play.

Miller (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day injured list as soon as Tuesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Miller is done with his rehab assignment and has already rejoined the Tigers in Texas for their series versus the Rangers, but his activation will have to wait at least one day. He's been out since mid-May with right ulnar nerve inflammation in his elbow.

Whitley (elbow) has resumed a throwing program at Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Whitley landed on the 7-day injured list at Sugar Land in late April with a sore right elbow but is finally beginning the ramp-up process. He most recently threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session, so the right-hander wouldn't appear too far off from a return.