MLB Player News

The Red Sox optioned Olds to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Olds fired six shutout innings after being promoted from Triple-A on Aug. 17, but he'll end up as the roster casualty required to make room for Garrett Whitlock (elbow), who returned from the IL on Saturday. Olds owns a 5.33 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 50.2 innings at Worcester this season, but his strong first impression with the Red Sox could keep him in consideration for another promotion down the stretch if the big club's bullpen depth is tested again.

The Red Sox reinstated Whitlock (elbow) from the injured list Saturday.

Whitlock will return to Boston's bullpen after spending close to the minimum amount of time on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation. The 30-year-old reliever never made any rehab appearances in the minors but still figures to immediately slot back in as the Red Sox's top setup man for closer Aroldis Chapman. Wyatt Olds was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Stanek struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Pirates.

Stanek secured his second save of the season in dominant fashion, fanning two of the three batters he faced while tossing seven of his 12 pitches for strikes. Riley O'Brien remains the Cardinals' primary closer with 34 saves, so Stanek's path to regular save chances would seem blocked. Friday's outing shows Stanek is capable of handling the ninth when O'Brien is unavailable.

Hudson allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-4 win over Minnesota.

Hudson entered the ninth inning with a three-run lead, and while he gave up two hits to the first three batters he faced, he ultimately closed the door to earn his sixth save of the season. The southpaw has gone 3-for-4 in save chances while recording four holds with a 14:1 K:BB in 15 innings and 16 outings since the All-Star break. Grant Taylor earned the win Friday after pitching 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, setting up the save for Hudson. Taylor's usage shows that he will not be confined exclusively to the ninth inning, so there may be additional save opportunities for Hudson down the stretch.

Taylor (7-2) earned the win Friday against the Twins after pitching 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out three without a walk.

Taylor took over with two outs in the sixth inning and protected Chicago's 6-4 advantage through the end of the eighth, allowing just one baserunner during his 2.2 innings of work while tossing 20 of his 27 pitches for strikes. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 2.03 with this outing, and he extended an outstanding stretch that has seen him give up just one earned run across 22.2 innings, good for a pristine 0.40 ERA, in 16 outings since the All-Star break. He's also gone 4-for-7 in save opportunities in that span, but his usage earlier in the game afforded Bryan Hudson the save chance Friday.

Tidwell (0-1) allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings to take the loss versus the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Tidwell hadn't given up multiple homers in an outing this season until this start, as all of Lars Nootbaar, Corbin Carroll and Tim Tawa tagged him for a long ball. Those big flies counted for all six runs on Tidwell's line. He's allowed 12 runs over his last 15 innings, but his scoreless start last weekend in Boston offered a glimpse of what he can do when he's on. Tidwell has a 4.54 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB over 37.2 innings across 13 games (five starts) this season. The Giants' depleted rotation likely means Tidwell is safe in a starting role for the rest of the year, and he's projected to make his next start at Pittsburgh.

Hoppe allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Athletics.

A Zack Gelof RBI single got one run back for the Athletics in the 10th inning, but he was left on base. That run was the first run Hoppe has allowed over 8.1 innings since joining the Orioles in a trade that sent Taylor Ward to Seattle at the deadline. The save was the first of Hoppe's career to go with three holds, two of which have also come since he was dealt. The right-hander has a 4.46 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB through 36.1 innings this year.

Bowlan didn't allow a hit or a walk but hit one batsman and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Angels.

Jhoan Duran last pitched Wednesday, his lone appearance of the week, so it's curious that he didn't get the closing assignment Friday. Duran's last save came Aug. 19 versus the Marlins. Bowlan got the job done Friday despite a little shakiness, earning his second save of the season to go with 11 holds. Bowlan's picked up both saves and six of his holds since the All-Star break, a span in which he's allowed a modest five runs over 18 innings. He's at a 2.77 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 60:14 K:BB across 48.2 innings this season, gaining trust in high-leverage spots along the way.

Anderson didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Dodgers, giving up four hits and five walks over 4.2 scoreless innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander left the bump with the Tigers ahead 1-0, but Anderson didn't last long enough to qualify for the win in an inefficient performance -- although his bullpen eventually made that a moot point. Anderson did toss a season-high 89 pitches (54 strikes), and he's reached 70 pitches in four straight starts, posting a 3.37 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB over 18.2 innings. Detroit is currently running a six-man rotation following the promotion of rookie Andrew Sears, and Jack Flaherty (forearm) has begun ramping up in his recovery, so Anderson will need to keep pitching well to hang onto his spot. He lines up to make his next outing on the road next week in Minnesota.

Scott struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 20th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Tigers.

The southpaw reliever had been stuck with a loss in his previous two appearances, but Scott bounced back with a dominant effort in which he fired eight of 13 pitches for strikes. He's converted four straight save chances since Edwin Diaz (neck) landed back on the IL, and with manager Dave Roberts having already announced that Diaz will initially be used in low-leverage situations once he returns, Scott's latest stint as the Dodgers' closer could extend well into September. On the season, Scott has produced a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 67:12 K:BB through 55 innings.