MLB Player News

Lange earned the save Sunday against the White Sox, retiring the side in order in the ninth inning of a 5-4 win.

Lange was called upon to protect a one-run lead and needed just 10 pitches to retire Chicago in order, locking down his seventh save of the season. It was an encouraging bounce-back after he was tagged for five runs while recording just one out in his previous appearance. Despite the uneven results recently, Lange appears to have a firm grip on Kansas City's primary closer role. He now owns a 4.95 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 37:21 K:BB across 36.1 innings.

Avila did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over four innings against the White Sox.

Avila ran into trouble immediately, walking the first batter he faced before serving up a two-run homer to Miguel Vargas. He was tagged again in the second inning, allowing three consecutive hits that led to two more runs. Command continues to be the biggest concern for the right-hander, as he has now issued at least three walks in five of his six starts since joining the rotation. During that stretch, Avila owns a 5.68 ERA and 23:18 K:BB. His next start is set to come Sunday at home against the Phillies.

Smith earned the save Sunday against the Mariners, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.

After Cleveland erupted for five runs in the eighth inning, Smith was called on to protect a two-run lead. He allowed back-to-back singles before a throwing error by Victor Robles allowed a run to score. The right-hander stranded runners on second and third to preserve his 26th save of the season. Following a brief rough patch over his last few appearances, Smith has begun to steady himself and lower his ratios. He owns a 3.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 57:10 K:BB across 38.1 innings.

Jansen (1-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and a walk across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss in Sunday's extra-inning contest against the Astros. He struck out one.

Jansen got through the top of the ninth inning of a 3-3 game without any problems, but things came unraveled in the 10th. The veteran started the frame by allowing a walk, a single and a three-run home run. The rough outing pushed Jansen's ERA from 4.26 up to 5.31. It's been a poor campaign overall with four blown saves and now four losses as well. He's become increasingly hard to trust in fantasy leagues.

Alexander will operate as the Rangers' opening pitcher Monday in Cleveland, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Alexander is set to become the first pitcher since 1969 to record saves in back-to-back games and then start the following contest. He'll likely handle no more than an inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen. The Rangers haven't indicated whether a pitcher will work in bulk relief behind Alexander, but Winston Santos is the freshest arm in the bullpen and had worked at least four innings in each of his last six outings at Double-A Frisco before being recalled Wednesday.

Webb (3-2) worked around a hit and a walk to toss a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win in Sunday's 4-3, extra-inning victory over the Brewers. He struck out three.

Webb got into some trouble in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 1-1 game by putting two runners on base, but his ability to generate strikeouts helped bail him out. The righty reliever then earned the win when the Cubs scored three times in the top of the 10th. Webb now has a 3.47 ERA and 45 strikeouts across 36.1 innings this season, and he's presumably Chicago's top option for saves at the moment with Daniel Palencia (elbow) on the injured list.

Duran secured the save Sunday against the Mets, allowing no runs on no hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Mets brought the possible winning run to the plate in a one-run game, but Duran got Luis Torrens to fly out and seal the win for Philadelphia. The hard-throwing right-hander has now submitted seven scoreless outings in a row and 26 for the season among 30 appearances. Through 28.2 innings, Duran sports a 1.57 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 44:6 K:BB while converting all but one of his 22 save opportunities.

Henriquez walked one and struck out none in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Padres.

Henriquez's high-leverage chances have been increasing lately. He's earned the opportunities by allowing just three runs with a 21:4 K:BB over his last 18.2 innings. Tanner Scott was utilized in the seventh and eighth innings to deal with the middle of the Padres' order, and Henriquez was able to get Fernando Tatis to ground into a game-ending double play after the lineup turned over. Through 32.2 innings this season, Henriquez has a 2.76 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB while adding five holds. While save chances probably won't become a regular thing for the right-hander, he's earned manager Dave Roberts' trust to handle late-inning situations.

Kilian allowed one run on two hits and struck out one without walking a batter over one inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over Atlanta.

Kilian was tasked with protecting a two-run lead after eight strong innings from Robbie Ray. It was a little shaky, but Kilian was able to come away with his first save since Tuesday. He had blown a save in his previous outing Thursday, allowing four runs in a loss to the Athletics. Kilian is at a 4.11 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 41:17 K:BB over 35 innings this season. He's converted six of eight save chances while adding three holds. While he hasn't been at his best in late June, he still has the edge for save opportunities at this time.

Voth elected free agency Friday after clearing waivers, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Voth will look to land a minor-league deal in free agency after the Twins dropped him from their 40-man roster earlier in the week. Between abbreviated stints in the majors with Toronto and Minnesota this season, Voth has allowed 11 earned runs on 19 hits and six walks while striking out three batters 10 innings.