MLB Player News

The Rangers acquired Pennington from the Royals on Monday in exchange for right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

Pennington, 26, has made one scoreless appearance in the majors this season and boasts a 2.26 ERA and 79:20 K:BB across 59.2 innings at the Triple-A level in 2024. The left-hander will be assigned to Triple-A Round Rock for now but could contribute to the Rangers bullpen in the second half.

Lee (3-2) picked up the win Sunday over the Mets, allowing three hits over two scoreless relief innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The southpaw took the mound to begin the fourth inning after Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) exited the game after only 57 pitches, and Lee was credited with the decision in an eventual 9-2 rout. He's been tagged with just one earned run over his last 12 appearances, posting a 0.64 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB in 14 innings during that stretch, but Atlanta's deep bullpen has no room for Lee in a high-leverage role -- he has zero holds or saves in that time.

Chapman (3-4) picked up the win Sunday against the Diamondbacks after pitching a scoreless ninth.

Chapman was called upon to pitch the ninth with the game tied at two after manager Derek Shelton opted to go with David Bednar in the eighth. The left-hander retired the side on just six pitches and was credited with the win after the Pirates went on to win 6-5 in 10 innings. After a rocky start to the month, Chapman has allowed just one run over his last six appearances, during which he's racked up two wins, two holds and a save while posting a 6:2 K:BB. The 36-year-old is still overpowering hitters in his 15th MLB season, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 60:34 K:BB in 38.2 innings.

Fleming elected free agency Sunday.

Fleming cleared waivers after being removed from the Pirates' 40-man roster, but he refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis and instead chose to become a free agent. The left-hander has posted a 4.02 ERA and 17:14 K:BB across 31.1 frames with the Pirates this season. He'll be able to find work in another organization but likely will have to settle for a minor-league contract.

Munoz walked one batter in a scoreless inning and picked up a save against the White Sox on Sunday.

Munoz struggled with his command a bit after Saturday's four-out save; he threw 11 of 20 pitches for strikes but still finished off the 6-3 win. He extended his scoreless streak to 10.1 innings and is now 18 for 21 in save chances this season. Munoz lowered his ERA to 1.28 alongside a 51:19 K:BB through 42.1 frames.

Perez (2-0) hit one batter but did not allow a hit or a walk over a scoreless inning to earn the win Sunday over the Padres.

The Orioles never trailed Sunday, but starter Albert Suarez came up one out short of qualifying for the win. Jacob Webb also struggled in his relief appearance, leading to Perez being awarded the win. Perez has bounced back from a rough patch right out of the All-Star break, earning a save and a win over two scoreless innings across his last two appearances. For the year, he has a 4.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 29:15 K:BB with two saves and 13 holds across 31.2 innings.

Herrin (4-0) retired the only batter he faced to earn the win Sunday versus the Phillies.

Herrin got a groundout from Garrett Stubbs to end the sixth inning before Steven Kwan's solo home run put the Guardians ahead in the seventh. He hasn't featured in a prominent role, but Herrin has been effective this season with a 1.30 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 42:20 K:BB over 41.2 innings. He's added 10 holds and two blown saves.

The Rangers released Pruitt (knee) on Sunday.

Pruitt had been on the shelf since April 24 with a right meniscus injury and was cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment June 28. Between stops in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Triple-A Round Rock, Pruitt posted a 7.71 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB in 9.1 innings. With Pruitt's 30-day rehab window coming to a close Sunday and with the Rangers not willing to reopen a spot for him on the roster after he struggled on his rehab assignment, the 34-year-old right-hander will be given the chance to search for an opportunity elsewhere. Pruitt will most likely have to settle for a minor-league deal with his next organization.

Pop earned the save Sunday, tossing a perfect 1.1 innings against the Rangers.

Pop made his second appearance since being recalled from Triple-A, coming on with runners on second and third and two outs in the eighth and inducing a Jonah Heim groundout to end the inning. He then stayed on for a perfect ninth to complete his first career save. Chad Green remains the closer for Toronto, but with the Blue Jays losing Jordan Romano to injury, Yimi Garcia being shipped out to the Mariners, and the potential for more arms to leave prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, Pop has an opportunity to earn a prominent role at the back end of the bullpen.

The Padres released Otto (undisclosed) on Sunday.

The Padres announced earlier Sunday that Otto had been designated for assignment, and the right-hander quickly passed through waivers before San Diego elected to let him explore options elsewhere rather than outrighting him to the minors. Otto made 39 appearances (33 starts) with the Rangers over the past three seasons but didn't see any game action for the Padres in 2024 after opening the season on the injured list due to a right teres major strain before he was optioned to Triple-A El Paso in late June once his rehab assignment concluded. He was later placed on El Paso's IL on July 21 with an unspecified injury, so Otto may not catch on with another team until he's back to full health.