MLB Player News

Speier (2-2) took the extra-innings loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on a hit and a walk over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

Speier got seven of his nine pitches into the strike zone, but he allowed a go-ahead RBI single to Max Muncy that snapped a 1-1 tie and was subsequently charged with an additional run when Chris Taylor singled Muncy in following Speier's exit. The outing marked Speier's second straight allowing a run after a brief four-appearance scoreless streak, but he's still been serviceable for fantasy managers with 17 holds and a 10.3 K/9 across his 64 appearances.

Brieske tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Angels. He didn't allow any hits or walks and struck out three.

After Sawyer Gipson-Long pitched five effective innings to start the game, Brieske cruised through the seventh and eighth. The righty has worked almost exclusively as a reliever this year, with just one start in 22 appearances. Brieske has been fairly good in the role with a 3.99 ERA, and it's possible he rejoins the rotation mix in 2024 after making 15 starts last year for the Tigers.

Diaz is listed as the Tigers' probable starting pitcher Sunday against the Angels.

The 28-year-old had his contract selected by Detroit when rosters expanded to 28 players Sept. 1, and he's delivered 5.2 scoreless frames in six outings since joining the big club. Joey Wentz is poised to serve as the Tigers' primary pitcher after Diaz works an inning or two.

Banks walked two batters and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning Saturday to record his first career save in a 7-6 win over the Twins.

The White Sox held a 7-1 lead heading into the eighth inning, but after Gregory Santos and Lane Ramsey made a mess of things, Banks took over and escaped with the win barely intact despite walking in a run, which got charged to Ramsey. Banks hasn't had a run added to his own ledger in seven straight appearances, posting a 0.75 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB through 10.2 innings over that stretch, but the southpaw is unlikely to be a regular part of the high-leverage mix down the stretch -- he has more losses (three) than saves and holds combined (one of each) this season.

Clarke recorded the final out of Saturday's 10-8 win over the Astros to pick up his second save of the season.

Carlos Hernandez got the call to begin the ninth inning with the Royals ahead 10-6, but after giving up three straight hits to begin the frame and then issuing a two-out walk to load the bases, Clarke was brought in and coaxed a groundout from Yainer Diaz to end the game. Hernandez has a 16.62 ERA and 3.46 WHIP over his last six appearances, so Clarke appears to be the top closing candidate for the Royals as they wrap up the campaign.

Vest allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Angels.

Vest extended his scoreless streak to 8.2 innings with this effort, which came after Alex Lange blew a save chance in the ninth inning. This was Vest's first save of the season and the second of his career. He's added 10 holds, a 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB through 42 innings this season, operating in a somewhat high-leverage setup role at times.

Lange (7-4) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out two over one inning, taking a blown save but earning the extra-inning win over the Angels on Saturday.

Lange served up a two-run home run to Jared Walsh and a solo shot to Brett Phillips, squandering a three-run lead in the ninth inning. The Tigers pulled ahead again in the 10th, and Lange ended up with the win when Will Vest closed out the contest. Lange has surrendered multiple runs just twice in 24 appearances in the second half, giving up 11 runs (nine earned) over 23.1 innings in that span. He's posted a 3.90 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 73:43 K:BB while going 23-for-28 in save chances and adding five holds over 60 innings this season.

Holmes pitched one perfect inning to secure a save during Saturday's 6-3 win over the Pirates.

After firing off a perfect ninth frame Friday night for his 20th save of 2023, Holmes delivered another clean inning Saturday for save No. 21, setting a career high in the category and besting his 2022 total. The 30-year-old has yet to allow a run in September and has locked up five saves over eight appearances.

Clase picked up the save Saturday against Texas. He allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning.

Clase now owns four more saves than any other closer in baseball with 41 despite having blown two of his last five save opportunities. The 25-year-old has solidified himself as one of baseball's best ninth-inning arms, having corralled 40 or more saves in back-to-back seasons while owning a career ERA of 1.92.

Cimber (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Cimber didn't perform particularly well in his first rehab appearance, giving up a run on a pair of hits in his lone inning of work, but the Blue Jays will be happy to see him back on the mound after nearly a three-month absence due to a shoulder strain. The length of his absence likely means his rehab assignment won't be a short one.