MLB Player News

Baker was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Baker was recalled on Thursday and threw three innings of relief Friday against the Rays, giving up one run on two hits. Mike Baumann was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

Baumann was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Baumann was optioned in late August but had spent most of the first four months in the majors prior to that point. His 3.82 ERA in 61.1 innings of relief was entirely respectable, but his combination of a league-average 22.8 percent strikeout rate and a poor 12.0 percent walk rate means he's likely destined for no more than a low-leverage role. Bryan Baker was optioned in a corresponding move.

Kennedy was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday due to a right rotator cuff strain, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Kennedy had his contract selected by the Rangers on Sept. 5 and made five appearances with the team, posting a 7.11 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 6.1 frames. His season will come to a close, but he'll have his eyes set on a healthy return for spring training.

Hamilton (groin) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Hamilton last pitched Aug. 30 and is returning almost immediately upon being eligible. He's maintained an impressive 2.24 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 64:23 K:BB across 52.1 frames.

Zerpa (2-3) allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out five over four innings to earn the win Friday over the Astros.

Zerpa has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen, and his appearance Friday was as a long reliever behind Zack Greinke, who went just two innings. Zerpa threw 70 pitches (43 strikes) in an effective appearance. He's allowed just two runs over his last nine innings, an improvement on his 5.63 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB through 32 innings overall. Zerpa could continue to serve as a piggyback option for Greinke or Alec Marsh over the last two weeks of the season.

Holmes struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to pick up a save against Pittsburgh on Friday.

Holmes entered with the Yankees holding a two-run lead and needed just 10 pitches to retire the side in order. The right-hander hasn't allowed a run in any of his past eight appearances, posting an 8:3 K:BB and racking up four saves during that stretch. Holmes' save Friday was his 20th of the campaign, tying the amount he had last season in his first season as a closer.

Clarke gave up a solo home run and struck out three in the ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Astros.

Carlos Hernandez worked the eighth inning for the Royals, so Clarke got the call to finish things up and was dominant aside from a one-out blast by Jose Abreu. Clarke has been tagged for a run in four straight appearances but has also struck out at least one batter in nine straight since being activated from the IL in mid-August, posting a 4.15 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB through 8.2 innings over that stretch. Hernandez had the last three saves for Kansas City prior to Friday, but Clarke's high strikeout rate should keep him in the high-leverage mix as the team evaluates bullpen options for 2024.

Newcomb (1-1) allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two over three innings to take the loss versus the Padres on Friday.

Newcomb earned his second start in a row, but this one wasn't as good as his four scoreless innings versus the Rangers last Saturday. All four runs came over his first two innings, and he needed 79 pitches (46 strikes) to complete an inefficient three frames. The lefty has a 3.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB through 15 innings over seven appearances (two starts) in the majors this year. Newcomb is tentatively projected for a home start versus the Mariners next week if he remains in the rotation.

Romano picked up the save Friday against Boston. He struck out two over a perfect inning.

Romano had uncharacteristically allowed eight baserunners and three runs (two earned) over his previous three appearances spanning four innings but slammed the door on the Red Sox with a strikeout, foulout and a trikeout to comfortably secure his 35th save of the season. The Jays' closer now holds a 2.59 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 53 innings and remains one of the top relievers in baseball.

Misiewicz exited Friday's game against the Pirates after being hit in the head by a line drive, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Misiewicz was pitching in relief in the sixth frame when he was struck in the temple/ear area. Positively, he was able to get to his feet after several minutes and was carted off the field.