MLB Player News

Fernandez (1-5) allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings Friday, taking the loss in extra innings versus the Blue Jays.

The walk Fernandez issued was intentional, but it ended up helping the Blue Jays load the bases with no outs in the 11th inning. Fernandez was able to get one out on a fielder's choice to erase the initial runner, but Alejandro Kirk then delivered a walk-off single. Prior to Friday, Fernandez was on a 6.1-inning scoreless streak. The rookie reliever has pitched to a 3.21 ERA despite a 1.30 WHIP and 63:31 K:BB over 61.2 innings, and he's added two saves and 11 holds.

Munoz struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Rangers.

Munoz needed just eight pitches (five strikes) to retire the top of the Rangers' lineup after the Mariners pulled ahead in the eighth inning. This was just his third appearance in September after he battled elbow soreness early in the month. Munoz is up to 21 saves in 26 chances to go with six holds, a 2.14 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP and a 71:25 K:BB through 54.2 innings this year.

Williams struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Williams collected his third save in four days by retiring the side on 14 pitches in the ninth inning. He's avoided a prolonged slump after a blown save Aug. 21 versus the Cardinals, following it up with a nine-inning scoreless streak that has seen him earn seven saves with a 16:4 K:BB. Williams is now at a 1.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB with 12 saves in 13 chances over 17.2 innings this season.

Miller earned the save in Friday's 2-0 win over the White Sox, pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts while allowing one hit.

The Oakland closer worked around a one-out Andrew Vaughn single to pick up his 25th save of the season, good for sixth in the AL. Miller has not blown a save since returning from the injured list Aug. 7. Since that date, he has collected 10 saves while pitching to a 2.50 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB across 18 innings.

Basso (1-0) was the pitcher of record in Friday's 2-0 win over White Sox, pitching 5.1 scoreless innings while yielding five hits and one walk. He struck out two.

Stepping into the rotation as a replacement for Osvaldo Bido (wrist), Basso made the most of the opportunity and secured his first big-league victory with a tidy 77-pitch performance. Basso worked around five singles as the Chicago lineup couldn't manage to get a runner past second base against him. The 26-year-old has performed well over his first 14.2 innings in the majors, pitching to a 1.23 ERA, 2.97 FIP, 0.89 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB. If Basso sticks in the Oakland rotation, he will line up to make his next start against the Cubs on the road next week.

Uceta picked up the save in Friday's 3-1 victory over Cleveland, pitching 1.2 perfect innings with two strikeouts.

Activated in advance of Friday's contest after serving a two-game suspension for intentionally throwing at the Phillies' Nick Castellanos on Tuesday, Uceta immediately stepped back into a high-leverage spot for Tampa Bay. He relieved Mason Montgomery with one out in the eighth after the latter allowed two hits to his three batters faced. Uceta efficiently retired five straight batters on only 18 pitches to lock down the win for Tampa Bay. He has now pitched to a 1.42 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 53:6 K:BB with three saves across 38 innings this season. The 26-year-old has been an elite reliever and is in the fluid mix for Tampa Bay save opportunities while Pete Fairbanks (lat) remains on the injured list.

The Red Sox will option Kelly to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The decision to send Kelly down to the minors comes shortly after he allowed three earned runs on a hit and two walks without recording an out in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees. The 29-year-old righty owns a 3.97 ERA through 56.2 big-league innings on the year and could still return to Boston to help the Sox get through the final weeks of the regular season.

Fitts allowed two hits and three walks over five shutout innings in a no-decision in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Yankees. He struck out two.

After making his MLB debut this past Sunday against the White Sox, Fitts was needed to make a second turn through the rotation after Tanner Houck (shoulder) was scratched from his scheduled start Friday. Fitts walked three straight batters in the first inning but escaped the threat. Only one other Yankee would reach scoring position against him. Fitts has not allowed an earned run through 10.2 innings to begin his MLB career, but whether or not he gets another turn in the rotation may depend on Houck's status.

Ortiz (6-6) took the loss Friday against the Royals, allowing seven runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out five.

Ortiz and the Pirates fell into a deep hole early after Kansas City put up a six spot in the second inning. The 25-year-old Ortiz has now allowed 11 runs (seven earned) across 9.2 innings in his last two starts. His ERA sits at 3.45 on the year with a 1.13 WHIP and 95:39 K:BB across 122.2 innings. He'll look to right the ship in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week on the road in St. Louis.

Weaver allowed one hit over two scoreless innings Friday. He struck out five and earned a save against the Red Sox.

Weaver gave up a single in the eighth inning but had little trouble closing out the 5-4 victory. He allowed two runs in a Sep. 2 appearance but has since struck out 12 over 5.2 scoreless frames while earning a win, two saves and a hold during that span. Weaver now owns a 3.09 ERA with a 91:25 K:BB over 78.2 innings. With Clay Holmes seemingly out of the ninth-inning picture, Weaver should be expected to see more save opportunities down the stretch.