MLB Player News

Spence allowed one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out two batters over five innings in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.

Spence served up a solo homer to Jose Altuve in the first inning, but he kept Houston from scoring over his final four frames. The right-hander recorded just one 1-2-3 inning and induced only six whiffs, but this was still a nice outing overall. Spence has been impressive since joining the Athletics' rotation early this month, allowing only two runs while registering a 10:2 K:BB over 15 innings across three starts. He's tentatively slated to face Cleveland at home in his next appearance.

Chapman earned a save against the Mariners on Monday, striking out all three batters he faced in one inning of work.

Chapman had little trouble protecting a two-run lead in the ninth frame, as he fired 10 of 13 pitches for strikes and punched out Randy Arozarena, Dylan Moore and Donovan Solano in order. The veteran lefty has a 10-game streak of outings in which he hasn't given up an earned run, and during that stretch he's posted a dominant 14:1 K:BB while allowing just two hits over nine innings. Chapman has successfully converted 13 of 14 save chances on the campaign, and his 42:9 K:BB, 1.50 ERA and 0.83 WHIP through 30 frames make him one of the league's most reliable closers this season.

Abreu (1-3) allowed two earned runs on one hit and one walk without recording an out to take the loss Monday against the Athletics.

Abreu entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at 1-1. He walked Brent Rooker and then served up a two-run home run to Nick Kurtz, which marked the first runs that Abreu surrendered since May 23. Overall, he has 29 scoreless efforts in 32 appearances for the season while also racking up 18 holds.

Vodnik (2-2) allowed one walk across a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win Monday against the Nationals.

Vodnik had a rough outing Friday, allowing three earned runs against Atlanta across one inning of work. He bounced back Monday and earned his second win of the season, tallying his 13th scoreless effort in 18 total appearances. Vodnik has only one hold for the campaign but is working regularly in high-leverage spots.

Soto struck out three in a scoreless sixth inning during Monday's 7-1 loss to the Rays, allowing one baserunner on a hit batsman.

Soto had a shaky start to June, serving up a home run in his first outing of the month, but he's now rattled off six scoreless appearances in a row since then. The hard-throwing left-hander had a 4.67 ERA for the season as of May 23, but he's improved that mark to a healthier 3.51 to go with a 1.21 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB over 25.2 innings following Monday's effort. Soto has been a key setup man for closer Felix Bautista with 15 holds, the third-highest figure for this category in the American League so far.

Halvorsen picked up the save, walking one batter in the process, during Monday's 6-4 win over the Nationals.

The Rockies closer worked his third straight scoreless outing Monday, allowing just one hit over that stretch, to earn his fourth save of the season. The 25-year-old hasn't gotten a ton of save opportunities, and he hasn't been too efficient with them either, blowing two of the six he's had. The right-hander has a 4.40 ERA on the season.

Strickland recorded one out to pick up the save in Monday's 1-0 extra-innings win against the Yankees.

The veteran right-hander collected his 30th career save by retiring Anthony Volpe on a groundout. Strickland relieved Brock Burke in the 11th inning after the latter loaded the bases with two outs. There isn't a closer controversy in Anaheim, as Kenley Jansen pitched earlier in this contest when the game was scoreless in the ninth.

Finnegan was saddled with a blown save after allowing three runs on three hits, walking and striking out none, during Monday's 6-4 loss to the Rockies.

It was perhaps the worst outing of the season for Finnegan, allowing a season-high three runs and three hits. The 33-year-old has flirted with danger lately, allowing seven hits in his last five games, but this was the first time that he allowed a run credited to him over that stretch. The right-hander is now 18-for-23 on save opportunities for the season.

Kerkering secured the save in Monday's 5-2 win at Miami, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

The 24-year-old required just 12 pitches, nine of which were strikes, to pick up his first save of the season. Kerkering has now made 16 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run, a span during which he's tossed 14.1 innings with a 13:7 K:BB. Jordan Romano, the Philadelphia saves leader, pitched in the seventh inning, while Matt Strahm, who secured the save Saturday, pitched in the eighth of Monday's contest. If Phillies manager Rob Thomson is trending towards employing a closer committee, Kerkering, with his 2.54 ERA across 28.1 total innings, could be in line for more save opportunities.

The Athletics optioned Holman to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Holman hadn't pitched since last Wednesday, when he was dinged for three runs without recording an out. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for the return of J.T. Ginn (quadriceps) from the 15-day injured list.