MLB Player News

Vest (2-4) retired two batters via strikeout but also allowed two runs on two hits and a walk to blow the save and take the loss Thursday against the Mariners.

Detroit's top closing option, Jason Foley, had pitched each of the previous two games, so the Tigers turned to Vest on Thursday. The righty struggled as he blew his fifth save chance of the season. Vest still has a solid 3.16 ERA overall, and he should continue to see high-leverage work, but the late-inning situation in Detroit's bullpen remains murky. Foley hasn't recorded a save since July 10 but still leads the team with 15, while Vest, Tyler Holton and Shelby Miller are seem like candidates to get save opportunities down the stretch as well.

Fairbanks picked up the save over the Cardinals on Thursday, pitching a perfect ninth inning.

Fairbanks took the mound with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and retired the side on just eight pitches to lock down his 22nd save of the season. The right-handed reliever has yet to allow a baserunner in three appearances this month, and he's converted his last 12 save opportunities. Fairbanks has surrendered only one hit over his last six innings (six appearances) while posting four strikeouts over that stretch.

Green posted a save against the Orioles on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.

It didn't look like Green would be needed in the contest with Toronto carrying a 7-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning. However, reliever Zach Pop couldn't record an out while loading the bases, so Green was brought in to contain the damage. He didn't do remarkably well himself, as a fielder's choice, a double and a single allowed Baltimore to bring the deficit to within one run. However, Green was able to get Anthony Santander to fly out with the tying run on first base to end the threat and record his 10th save. Green hasn't blown a save this season and is firmly entrenched in the closer role with Yimi Garcia now in Seattle and Jordan Romano uncertain to return in 2024 due to an elbow injury.

Suarez picked up the save Thursday, allowing one run on two hits over one inning against the Pirates. He struck out two.

Suarez allowed a two-out double to Joey Bart followed by an RBI single to Rowdy Tellez but finished off his 25th save of the season by striking out Bryan De La Cruz on three consecutive heaters to end the threat. The outing marked just the fifth time in 45 appearances that Suarez, who now owns a 1.59 ERA, has allowed at least one earned run.

Bednar (3-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Padres. He struck out one.

Bednar couldn't finish the ninth, blowing his second save in as many days. It was the fifth blown save for the Pirates' closer, who allowed at least one earned run for the fourth consecutive outing, though it's the first time he's given up more than one earned run since April 26. Bednar once again struggled with his command, walking two to give him seven walks and a hit batsman over his last five appearances after having walked only seven batters over his first 37 outings. Bednar's ERA now stands at 5.77 with a 1.31 WHIP, though he had posted a 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 29 games prior to these last two performances against San Diego.

Ortiz did not factor into the decision, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk over six innings Thursday against the Padres. He struck out three.

Ortiz was touched up by Manny Machado in the first for a two-run blast, then David Peralta matched the favor in the second. That's now six homers and 13 runs allowed by Ortiz over his last three starts, though to his credit he's managed to complete at least five innings in each, including allowing no additional runs during his final four innings Thursday to keep the Pirates within striking distance. Despite the recent struggles, Ortiz has by and large pitched well for the Buccos this season, starting in seven of his 29 appearances while compiling a 3.40 ERA 1.16 WHIP and 68 strikeouts over 90 innings. His next start is scheduled to take place next week when the Pirates take on these same Padres in San Diego.

Doval (4-1) was credited with the win and charged with a blown save Thursday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks over one inning against the Nationals. He did not record a strikeout.

Doval entered the ninth with a three-run lead but walked two batters which set up Luis Garcia's two-out, two-strike homer to left that tied the game. It was the fifth blown save of the season for Doval, who was then bailed out when the Giants scored four in the top of the 10th to provide him with his fourth win. Doval is now 4-1 with 22 saves on the season, though the three runs allowed lifted his ERA from 4.29 to 4.70 to go along with a 1.61 WHIP and 56 strikeouts over 44 innings.

Bazardo was called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Bazardo will return to the big-league bullpen after being sent down to Tacoma on July 12. The right-hander has made 13 appearances with Seattle this season, posting a 6.62 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 17.2 innings, the latter of which suggests better results are ahead. Bazardo will replace Jonathan Hernandez on the major-league roster after Hernandez was designated for assignment Thursday.

Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opener during Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Hanifee has allowed two earned runs in four innings since having his contract selected from Triple-A on Aug. 1, and he'll now make his first MLB start after pitching the ninth inning of Wednesday's contest. The 26-year-old righty worked primarily as a starter throughout his minor-league career up until this season and is still capable of pitching multiple innings, but he will likely be pulled after a frame or two Thursday for Kenta Maeda, who is expected to pitch in bulk relief.

The Rays optioned Bigge to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 26-year-old righty will be squeezed out of the big-league bullpen as Richard Lovelady (forearm) returns from the injured list. Bigge has given up just one earned run in 7.1 MLB innings this season, and he has not been scored upon in four frames since joining the Rays.