MLB Player News

Poche didn't allow a baserunner while throwing a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Thursday against the Cubs.

Thursday's appearance marked Poche's fourth outing since being activated from the injured list. He has only two strikeouts while issuing two free passes across four innings in that span, though he has yet to surrender an earned run. Poche will remain in a high-leverage role, but he isn't likely to factor significantly into the saves picture for the Rays, barring an injury to Pete Fairbanks.

Leiter (2-4) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while retiring just two batters to take the loss Thursday against the Rays. He struck out one.

Chicago starter Justin Steele tossed six scoreless innings, but his effort was quickly wasted by Leiter, who couldn't get out of the seventh. The righty reliever has allowed runs in each of his last two appearances, which has pushed his ERA up from 3.20 to 4.44. Leiter had a sub-4.00 ERA each of the last two seasons for the Cubs, so while he's struggled some lately, his track record suggests that better days will be ahead.

Miller (4-4) allowed a run on one hit across 1.1 innings of relief but managed to earn the win Thursday against the Nationals.

Miller was charged with his fifth blown save of the season but picked up the win since the Tigers scored five times in the bottom of the seventh inning. The veteran righty has been mostly solid this season, compiling a 3.80 ERA and 20 strikeouts across 21.1 innings. Miller would have more fantasy value if he was seeing regular save opportunities, though he has some appeal in deeper formats given his high-leverage role.

Brasier (calf) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Brasier strained his right calf April 29 and has resumed playing catch. He'll officially be out until the end of June with this move, though it's not clear when he'll be ready for game action.

Hernandez was traded from the Pirates to the Dodgers in exchange for cash Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates designated Hernandez for assignment Tuesday after he struggled for much of the season at Triple-A Indianapolis. He'll likely start his time with the Dodgers at Triple-A Oklahoma City, though he could contribute at the big-league level this summer.

Fairbanks earned a save against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing one walk in a scoreless ninth inning.

Entering with a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning, Fairbanks walked Michael Busch with one out but induced a game-ending double play to secure the save. Since returning from an arm injury in mid-May, Fairbanks is 6-for-6 in save chances and has not allowed an earned run in 14 innings of work. On the season, he is 9-for-10 in save opportunities with a 3.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB in 21 innings.

Borucki (wrist) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

The session marked Borucki's first time throwing off a slope since he landed on the injured list in early April. He has additional bullpens set for Saturday and Tuesday, after which he may be ready to begin a rehab assignment.

Holmes (1-2) allowed two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Royals.

Holmes was one out away from his 20th save of the season before serving up a two-run double to Maikel Garcia. The 31-year-old closer had gone nine straight appearances without allowing a run and still carries an impressive 1.80 ERA for the season. As the ninth-inning man for the club with the most wins in MLB, he remains one of the safest options at the position, with his 19 saves being tied for third most this season.

Iglesias allowed one hit while tossing a scoreless ninth inning to collect the save Thursday against the Orioles.

Iglesias hit the first batter he faced, then allowed a one-out single but settled down to record the final two outs and pick up his 17th save in 19 attempts. Iglesias has only allowed one run over his last nine outings since May 17, with each appearance lasting exactly one inning. He's gone 7-for-7 in save opportunities over that span.

Stratton was removed from Thursday's appearance in St. Louis with an apparent right shoulder injury, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Stratton was facing his second batter after entering in the bottom of the eighth inning and immediately grabbed at his shoulder after delivering a pitch to Brendan Donovan. The Pirates should have more on the reliever's condition after the game.