MLB Player News

The Rangers recalled Pennington from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Pennington will replace fellow left-hander Brock Burke in the Texas bullpen after the Rangers designated Burke for assignment. Acquired from the Royals on July 29 in the deal that sent right-hander Michael Lorenzen to Kansas City, Pennington previously made his Rangers debut last Sunday against the Red Sox, working one inning while giving up an earned run on one hit and three walks. He'll likely occupy a low-leverage role during his upcoming stint with Texas.

The Rangers selected Festa's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

He'll join the big-league bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Josh Sborz, who was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder fatigue. After signing a minor-league contract with the Rangers in July, Festa made six appearances for Round Rock and gave up one earned run on six hits and three walks while striking out 13 batters over 8.2 innings.

Jimenez (oblique) fired a scoreless, hitless seventh inning during Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sacramento on Saturday, allowing a walk and recording a strikeout.

Jimenez put together a scoreless frame for the second time in as many rehab appearances, working up to 15 pitches Saturday. The right-hander appears to have tolerated his first two minor-league outings well thus far, so he may only need one more, if that, before being deemed ready for activation.

The Rangers optioned Anderson to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Anderson will head back to the minors after he served as the Rangers' 27th man in Saturday's doubleheader with the Yankees. He mopped up in relief during the Rangers' 8-0 loss in the first game of the day, covering 3.2 innings and striking out three while allowing one earned run on one hit and two walks.

Clase struck out one batter in a perfect inning of work to earn a save against the Twins on Saturday.

Cleveland's bullpen went nine-up, nine-down after starter Gavin Williams provided six one-run frames. Clase accounted for the final three outs, which he notched with relative ease on 13 pitches. With 34 saves on the season, Clase ranks second in the majors behind Ryan Helsley (37). Clase needs six more saves to reach 40 for the third consecutive campaign.

Erceg earned a save against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing two hits and striking out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Erceg entered in a tight situation with a three-run lead and two outs in the top of the eighth frame, as the Cardinals had two runners on base and Paul Goldschmidt -- who homered earlier in the contest -- at the plate. The righty reliever fanned Goldschmidt to end the frame, then remained in the contest after the Royals put up two runs in the bottom of the inning. Erceg allowed back-to-back singles to begin the ninth but retired the next three batters to secure his first save since joining Kansas City at the trade deadline. He's been lights out since becoming a Royal, recording 6.1 scoreless frames during which he's posted an 8:0 K:BB. James McArthur has been struggling and Hunter Harvey (back) landed on the injured list Saturday, so Erceg appears to be the team's reliever most likely to see save opportunities, at least for the time being.

Alexander allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings Saturday versus the Orioles. He did not factor in the decision.

Alexander continues to operate in a bulk-relief role, and he's had success during his current stint in the majors. He's allowed two runs and posted a 15:3 K:BB over 14.1 innings over his last four appearances, and Saturday was the first time in that span he didn't come away with a win. Alexander has a 5.20 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 63:16 K:BB over 71 innings in 15 appearances (six starts) in the majors this year. If Ryan Pepiot (knee) returns to the majors next week, Alexander may be moved off the 26-man roster or feature as a traditional multi-inning reliever going forward.

Hader earned a save in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Red Sox, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hader allowed a leadoff double to Rafael Devers but was able to strand him there to secure his 25th consecutive successful save since blowing his first attempt of the season April 2. That total puts the southpaw in a tie for fourth in the majors with Robert Suarez. On the season, Hader owns a 3.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 78:18 K:BB across 51.1 innings.

Smith (4-0) allowed a run on one hit over one inning but earned the win Saturday over the Rays.

Smith gave up a game-tying solo home run to Jose Caballero in the seventh inning, but the Orioles retook the lead in the eighth and held on. This was Smith's second appearance in a row during which he's nabbed a win, and he's added two holds despite allowing two runs over 4.1 innings in August. For the year, the right-hander has a 3.83 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB over 42.1 innings between the Orioles and the Marlins. Smith is unlikely to see a lot of high-leverage work, but he could be called on in tight spots when the bullpen is thin.

Keller (0-3) took the loss against the Astros on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts across four innings.

In his first major-league appearance since June 23, Keller served as a bulk reliever and surrendered three runs on homers by Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman. The 29-year-old has yielded eight long balls across 37.1 major-league innings this season with a 5.30 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB.