MLB Player News

Topa (5-4) got the win against the Mets on Saturday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and did not issue a walk or record a strikeout.

Topa put out the fire upon entering in the eighth, inducing an inning-ending groundout from Pete Alonso with Jeff McNeil on third in a 7-7 tie. J.P. Crawford's ninth-inning solo shot would snap the deadlock and put Topa in position for the victory, which he subsequently earned during a busy final frame that saw him work around two singles. The right-hander now has three wins in his last five appearances -- including in back-to-back outings -- and he's also garnered six holds dating back to Aug. 15.

Kelly (elbow) allowed one walk and struck out two over one inning for Single-A Salem on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Kelly kicked off a rehab assignment. The right-hander has not pitched in the majors since April when he underwent an elbow procedure. The Red Sox are hoping to have Kelly back in the majors before the end of the season.

The Rays placed Adam on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a left oblique strain.

With Adam set to miss at least two weeks, Pete Fairbanks should now have a firm hold of the Rays' closer job for the near future. Right-hander Taj Bradley was recalled from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move and is set to start Sunday against Cleveland.

Chapman (5-4) was tagged with Saturday's extra-inning loss to the Twins. He allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Chapman got the final two outs in the top of the ninth inning but surrendered three runs without retiring a batter in the extra frame. It was the second straight outing that resulted in a loss for Chapman, who also has two blown saves over his last six appearances. He had walked just four batters over his first 16 innings after being acquired by the Rangers, but control issues are now haunting Chapman. He's walked seven, hit a batter and thrown two wild pitches during the recent six-outing stretch, producing a 7.94 ERA and 2.12 WHIP.

Pivetta gave up a run on two hits over three innings Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 9-5 win over the Royals. He struck out five without walking a batter.

A solo shot by MJ Melendez in the ninth inning was the only blemish on Pivetta's performance. The right-hander hasn't had the same success lately in long relief that he did right after the All-Star break, and over 24 innings since the beginning of August he carries a 6.00 ERA and 1.46 WHIP despite a 35:11 K:BB. Unless the Red Sox get desperate in their attempt to claw back into the playoff picture, Pivetta seems unlikely to return to the rotation in 2023.

Littell did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing four runs on nine hits over 4.2 innings in a 7-6 loss to Cleveland. He struck out one.

Littell allowed hits to four of the first eight batters he faced, leading to two early runs coming across for Cleveland. He would go on to surrender four earned runs for the third consecutive start while recording just one strikeout. The right-hander also gave up a season-high nine hits in the contest and failed to make it through at least five innings for the first time in his last seven outings.

Holmes gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 17th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Astros.

Despite a rough stretch in August that saw Holmes get tagged for nine earned runs in 5.1 innings over six appearances, the right-hander hasn't actually blown a save chance since July 16, converting six straight -- although Saturday's save was his first in nearly a month. On the season, he sports a 3.29 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 61:19 K:BB through 52 frames, adding four wins and five holds to his save total.

May picked up the save Saturday against the Angels, allowing two walks over a scoreless inning.

May entered the game with a 2-1 lead in the ninth and proceeded to walk the first batter he faced on five pitches. However, the right-handed reliever was able to retire the next two batters before intentionally walking Shohei Ohtani and eventually getting out of the jam to record his 16th save of the season. May has converted each of his last six save opportunities and has not allowed an earned run since Aug. 13, lowering his season ERA to 4.03.

Duran earned a save against Texas on Saturday, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out two batters over one inning.

Duran entered in the bottom of the 10th inning after Minnesota took a three-run lead in the top of the frame. The right-hander retired the first two batters he faced before Jonah Heim laced a single to score the inherited runner. Robbie Grossman followed with an infield single to bring the winning run to the plate, but Duran struck out Josh Smith to escape the jam. The save was the 24th of the season for Duran, seventh most in the American League.

Clarke will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Clarke is unlikely to work more than an inning or two before giving way to Zack Greinke, who will serve as a bulk reliever. Since returning from an elbow injury Aug. 18, Clarke has made four straight scoreless appearances out of the bullpen.