MLB Player News

Slaten struck out one over a scoreless inning in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Toronto.

Slaten, who was activated from the 15-day injured list earlier in the day, made his first appearance for the Red Sox since July 7. He came on in the fourth inning and worked around an infield error. The Red Sox have felt Slaten's loss, and they hope the right-hander can stabilize what has been a shaky bullpen in the second half.

Kinley earned a save against the Marlins on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Kinley was called upon with Colorado holding a slim one-run lead in the ninth frame, and he cruised with a 1-2-3 inning on 15 pitches (11 of which were strikes). The righty reliever claimed his first save since Aug. 1 and his seventh in eight chances this season. Kinley has worked primarily in a setup role for most of August, but he could be in line for at least short-term save opportunities due to Victor Vodnik (biceps) landing on the injured list last week.

Little allowed a hit in 1.1 scoreless innings against Boston on Monday. He struck out one and earned a save.

Little needed just 13 pitches (nine strikes) to record four outs and earn his first career MLB save. The Blue Jays went up 7-3 in the ninth inning and Chad Green pitched Friday and Saturday, so the team opted to leave Little out there for the four-out save. Little owns a 3.78 ERA with a 27:14 K:BB through 33 innings this season. He had given up four earned runs over his last nine innings entering Monday's contest.

Holton pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Monday's 6-3 win over the White Sox.

Top closing option Jason Foley pitched an inning on Friday and Sunday, so the Tigers turned to Holton instead Monday. The lefty needed just 11 pitches to retire Chicago in order and record his fifth save of the season. Holton has been effective with a 2.38 ERA and 0.81 WHIP across 75.2 innings this season, though his fantasy upside is capped somewhat due to the lack of regular save opportunities.

Kelly did not factor in the decision Monday against Toronto after issuing two walks over three scoreless innings as the opener. He struck out four batters during the loss.

Kelly retired the first seven batters he faced before walking a pair in the third inning. He worked around the traffic before turning the ball over to Justin Slaten in the fourth inning. Kelly matched his longest MLB outing by recording nine outs and dropped his ERA to 2.58 across 52.1 innings. He's turned in 5.2 straight scoreless frames after yielding an earned run in each of his previous three appearances.

Holmes threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Nationals on Monday.

Holmes entered the game with a 5-2 lead and pitched a 1-2-3 frame against the Nationals. Holmes leads MLB with 10 blown saves, but he also ranks among the top five in the league with 28 saves. The 31-year-old has a 2.72 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 53 innings this season.

The Cubs placed Smyly on outright waivers Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Smyly will now be available to be claimed off waivers by the 29 other teams in the league after producing a 2.84 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 43 strikeouts over 50.2 innings in 39 appearances out of the bullpen with Chicago. The left-hander will likely have no shortage of teams interested in him and a postseason contender could use his services to bolster their bullpen down the stretch.

The Phillies placed Alvarez on the restricted list Monday as he deals with a personal matter, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear at this point how long Alvarado will be away from the club. The lefty reliever has had an up-and-down season and has mostly struggled since the All-Star break, posting a 5.40 ERA and 12:9 K:BB over 13.1 innings. Michael Mercado was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Alvarado's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen.

The Blue Jays recalled Eisert from Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

Toronto is designating Eisert as its 27th man for a de facto doubleheader with Boston, after the two teams previously completed a game earlier Monday that had been suspended in the second inning back on June 26. He'll provide a fresh relief arm for the nightcap Monday and will presumably be returned to Triple-A once the contest concludes.

The Tigers optioned Sammons to Triple-A Toledo following Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Sammons earned the win while serving in bulk relief Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.1 frames. Though he now holds a 1-1 record with a 3.62 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 27.1 major-league innings this season, the Tigers didn't have a spot in the rotation available for him moving forward. In addition to Ty Madden getting called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move to make his first MLB start Monday in Chicago, the Tigers are also expected to get Casey Mize (hamstring) back in the rotation later this week.