MLB Player News

Slaten (elbow) played catch Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Slaten came out of the session feeling good and will continue to throw from flat ground for now. The Red Sox hope he won't require an extensive ramp-up period after that. The right-hander has been a key bullpen piece for Boston this season, and the team could have used him after being swept by the Dodgers over the weekend.

Sborz allowed one hit and struck out three over two scoreless innings in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Orioles.

Sborz made his fourth appearance since coming back from a shoulder injury. He hasn't issued a walk in six innings since coming off the IL and has hurled five consecutive scoreless frames. When healthy, Sborz is used as a high-leverage arm in the bullpen. He has a 2.38 ERA with 11 strikeouts and three walks over 11.1 innings this season.

Estevez picked up his 18th save of the season in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Athletics, tossing a scoreless ninth inning while allowing a walk.

Estevez made things interesting by issuing a leadoff walk to Lawrence Butler but went on to retire the next three batters in order to shut the door. He's now converted each of his last 12 saves and hasn't given up an earned run since May 20, a span of 18 appearances. Estevez's name has been swirling in trade talks, and if he is dealt at the deadline there's no guarantee he'd still be the closer for his new team. The 31-year-old owns a 2.53 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 31:5 K:BB in 32 innings.

Fulmer allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings Sunday against the Athletics. He did not factor into the decision.

Fulmer was clean through two innings, but the Athletics would put up two runs against him in the third on a pair of doubles. He later allowed a solo home run to Miguel Andujar in the fifth, the last batter he would face on the afternoon. Fulmer wasn't nearly as effective as he'd been in his last start, but he managed to reach 77 pitches once again while registering eight swings and misses. The Angels haven't revealed a long-term plan for the veteran right-hander yet, but it's likely he sticks in the rotation for at least another turn, which is expected to come against the Athletics again. Fulmer now sports a 3.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 52:25 K:BB in 51.2 innings.

Green picked up a save Sunday against Detroit, throwing 1.2 perfect innings with no strikeouts.

Even with Yimi Garcia off the injured list, it was Green who received the first save opportunity coming out of the All-Star break. Sunday's result is a positive sign for fantasy managers who banked on Green to retain closing duties after being thrust into the role due to injuries. However, Sunday's save doesn't indicate that Green will be the Blue Jays' primary ninth-inning option moving forward. Garcia pitched the ninth inning of Saturday's loss, and it's possible that the team didn't want to pitch Garcia in back-to-back games because of his recent injury. Additionally, Toronto could opt to split save opportunities until one of the two emerges as the clear option. Overall, managers should have cautious optimism about Green's closing chances.

Fairbanks picked up the save Sunday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over one inning against the Yankees. He struck out one.

Fairbanks entered the ninth with a three-run lead, but a walk and a Juan Soto RBI double led to Aaron Judge coming to the plate as the tying run. Fairbanks then induced Judge to fly out and struck out Austin Wells to end the threat, closing out his 18th game of the season. It was the third time in his last five appearances Fairbanks has allowed an earned run, though he's earned a save in each of those five outings.

Leone (elbow) has begun the ramp-up process and could begin a rehab assignment during the week of July 22, MLB.com reports.

Leone has been sidelined since May 24 and has managed only 15.1 total innings this season. He should require only a couple of rehab appearances before rejoining the White Sox's bullpen.

Jansen said that Sunday that he won't travel with the Red Sox to Colorado for the club's three-game series with the Rockies this week due to his pre-existing heart condition, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Jansen has dealt with atrial fibrillation throughout his career and will remain in Boston when the Red Sox kick off their series in Denver on Monday. The altitude is perceived to be a risk for the team's closer, so he'll get a few days off. Boston is expected to operate with only 25 players on their major-league roster for the series, and in Jansen's absence, Brennan Bernardino and Zack Kelly could be candidates to scoop up any save chances that might come about.

Brebbia (0-5) allowed three earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out two to take the loss Sunday against the Royals.

Brebbia began the season in poor form but entered Sunday's game having maintained a 1.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with a 28:4 K:BB across his past 19.1 innings. He has been one of the White Sox's top setup men in that span and has racked up eight holds. Michael Kopech appears to have a grip on the closer role for the team, but setting aside Sunday's tough outing, Brebbia has proven to be a reliable high-leverage option.

The Guardians recalled Strzelecki from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

He'll join the Cleveland bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Spencer Howard, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Strzelecki tossed 5.2 scoreless innings over four relief appearances with Cleveland earlier this season but has otherwise spent the entire 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level, where he's turned in a 4.18 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 32.1 frames.