MLB Player News

Latz struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Tigers.

The lefty produced his seventh straight appearance without allowing a run as he works his way to the top of the pecking order in the Rangers' bullpen. Latz has the team's last three saves dating back to April 25, and on the season he sports a 1.02 ERA, 0.45 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB through 17.2 innings. Latz doesn't have the premium stuff of a typical closer, but as long as he's getting the job done, manager Skip Schumaker will stick with him.

Erceg struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Mariners.

Erceg has settled back in after back-to-back blown saves in mid-April. He's allowed just one unearned run over his last five innings, picking up three saves and two wins over five appearances in that span. For the season, the right-hander has a 4.05 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB with eight saves and a hold over 13.1 innings. Erceg continues to fill in as the Royals' primary closer while Carlos Estevez (foot) works his way back to full health.

Ragans allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out eight over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.

All of the runs against Ragans came via the long ball. Julio Rodriguez had a two-run home run in the first inning, and Connor Joe and Randy Arozarena added solo shots in the fifth and sixth. Ragans has alternated good and bad starts all year, and this was the third time he's surrendered three homers. Overall, he has a 5.29 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 41:21 K:BB across 32.1 innings over seven starts. He's tentatively lined up to make his next start at home versus the Guardians.

Englert (forearm) is set to throw a bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Boyle faced live hitters in batting practice Thursday, and he could go on a minor-league rehab assignment after Sunday's bullpen. The right-hander is working his way back from right forearm tightness, and he's tracking toward rejoining Tampa Bay's bullpen in mid-to-late May. It's worth mentioning that Rays want Englert to be built back up to work multiple innings.

Imaging on Helsley's right elbow came back negative Friday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Manager Craig Albernaz said that he isn't too concerned about Helsley's elbow now that the team knows he isn't dealing with any structural damage. He added that the 31-year-old reliever has been dealing with elbow discomfort for the past week but thought the issue would subside on its own. Helsley is now set to remain sidelined until at least May 15, though Albernaz's comments suggest he may not need much more than a minimum-length stay on the IL. In the meantime, Rico Garcia and Yennier Cano figure to be the leading candidates for saves in Baltimore.

Chapman earned the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Astros, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Chapman was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a two-out double to slam the door. He's now 6-for-6 in save chances this season while keeping opponents off the board in nine of 10 appearances. The veteran southpaw has been dominant through 9.2 frames, posting a 0.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB.

The Mariners recalled Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

With Matt Brash (lat) landing on the injured list Friday, the Mariners will call upon Simpson to fill the void in their bullpen. The 28-year-old southpaw struggled mightily in the big leagues last year, finishing with a 7.34 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across 30.2 innings with the Marlins. However, he's bounced back nicely with the Rainiers this season, allowing just one earned run on three hits and six walks while striking out 12 batters over 9.1 frames.

The Mariners placed Brash on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Thursday, due to right lat inflammation.

Brash sustained the injury during Wednesday's outing against the Twins, when he tweaked his lat while tossing two pitches in the eighth inning. While the MRI didn't reveal any structural damage, the injury is significant enough for him to warrant a stint on the IL. A minimum stay on the IL would mean a mid-May return for Brash, but some lat injuries take longer to heal from, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-hander shelved until the end of the month or early June. Left-hander Josh Simpson was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move.

Vargas (lat) has suffered a setback in his recovery, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Vargas has been on the injured list since the beginning of the regular season due to a strained right lat, and his latest setback will require him to restart his throwing progression completely. He won't be eligible to return from the IL until May 23, though it remains to be seen whether he'll be able to return by then.

Mariners manager Justin Hollander told reporters Friday that an MRI on Brash revealed "trace inflammation" in his right lat and no signs of structural damage, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Brash sustained the injury during Wednesday's game against the Twins after tossing just two pitches in the eighth inning. The fact there was no structural damage is good news for the 27-year-old right-hander, but the inflammation in his lat could result in a stint on the 15-day IL. It would be a big blow to the Mariners' bullpen, as Brash has yet to give up an earned run across 11.1 innings this season, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out eight and accumulating four holds.