MLB Player News

Fairbanks notched his 20th save of the season Sunday against the Reds, allowing one hit while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Fairbanks has converted his last 10 save opportunities and is now 20-for-22 on the season. Since his last blown save June 20, the 30-year-old has pitched to a 2.25 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB in 12 innings. With fellow reliever Jason Adam being traded to the Padres, Fairbanks should see the vast majority of save chances for the Rays moving forward.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Sunday that Joyce will work as the club's top setup man after the trade of Carlos Estevez, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Luis Garcia will step in as Anaheim's new closer, but he's also a candidate to be traded ahead Tuesday's deadline. If Garcia is dealt, Joyce will then be next in line for saves. The flame-throwing righty is averaging 101.8 mph on his fastball this season and has a 2.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:20 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Sunday that Garcia will take over as the club's primary closer, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The departure of Carlos Estevez leaves the Halos with a hole in the ninth inning, and Garcia will receive the first look as the team's new closer. Garcia has three saves and 12 holds with a 3.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 40:14 K:BB across 44 appearances this year. The veteran right-hander is also a candidate to be traded ahead of Tuesday's deadline given his expiring contact, in which case Ben Joyce would likely see most of those opportunities.

Bido is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Angels in Anaheim.

Bido appeared to be in line for just a spot start when he was called upon Tuesday to take the hill against the Astros. However, after striking out six while allowing just one run over five innings en route to picking up a win, Bido will get at least one more opportunity to stake a claim to a more permanent spot in the Oakland rotation. The Athletics cleared up their logjam in the rotation by optioning Hogan Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday and by shifting Joey Estes to the bullpen earlier this weekend.

The Guardians optioned Strzelecki to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

The move is to make room on the 26-man roster for left-hander Joey Cantillo, who will make his major-league debut Sunday against the Phillies. Strzelecki made four outings out of the Guardians' bullpen after being recalled from Columbus on July 21. Over those four outings, the 29-year-old right-hander allowed one run on five hits while striking out five across 4.2 innings. In 29 Triple-A appearances this season, Strzelecki has a 4.18 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 32.1 innings.

Snider (1-1) got the win against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing two hits and recording a strikeout over a scoreless inning.

Snider got an early fifth-inning call after starter Bryan Woo exited following 70 pitches due to hamstring tightness. Snider navigated some trouble in his one frame, wiggling out of a jam by retiring Andrew Vaughn and Andrew Benintendi with men on second and third. The 28-year-old right-hander now has scoreless efforts in five of the last six appearances, and he's whittled his ERA back down to an elite 1.59 across 17 innings.

Ferguson picked up the save over the Angels on Saturday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Ferguson was again tasked with closer duties Saturday due to Mason Miller being out with an hand fracture and did not disappoint, needing only seven pitches to retire the side and secure his second save of the season. The right-handed Ferguson hasn't allowed a run in his last seven appearances and has pitched perfect ninth innings in each of his last two outings. Ferguson has also posted at least one strikeout in eight consecutive appearances.

Spence (7-6) picked up the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings while striking out three.

Spence allowed two men to reach in the opening frame but was able to work his way out of the jam before going on to allow a solo homer from Nolan Schanuel in the third. That would be the only run allowed by the right-hander on the night as he induced 11 whiffs en route to securing his second straight win. Spence has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last five starts and now has three wins in July. However, he's also walked multiple batters in three straight, posting a 12:10 K:BB over that stretch.

The Orioles optioned Baker to Triple-A Norfolk following Saturday's game against the Padres.

Baker was initially recalled by the Orioles on Thursday. In his lone outing Saturday against San Diego, the 29-year-old right-hander allowed one run on two hits while striking out one in one inning. The move makes room on the 26-man roster for right-hander Zach Eflin, whom Baltimore acquired from Tampa Bay on Friday.

Hader (4-5) didn't allow a baserunner across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win Saturday against the Dodgers.

Hader entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied at 6-6. He retired the side on only nine pitches to turn in his sixth consecutive scoreless appearance. This was also Hader's first win since May 21.