MLB Player News

Alvarez allowed two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out four over four-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Tuesday.

Alvarez had displayed fairly good control in his first six appearances this season, but he didn't deliver in that area Tuesday. Luckily for him, the Giants' offense didn't capitalize much against him -- the two runs on his line came when Brad Lord allowed both inherited runners to score in the fifth inning. Alvarez is now at a 3.70 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB across 24.1 innings over seven appearances (two starts) in the majors this season. Maintaining his control will be critical for Alvarez to keep a spot in the rotation. His next start is tentatively projected to be at home versus the Royals.

Barnett struck out four over two perfect innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Brewers.

Barnett wasn't utilized in Monday's slugfest, leaving him fresh to pitch Tuesday while the bullpen was short. He delivered a tidy outing, collecting his six outs on 31 pitches (20 strikes) for his first career save. Barnett has allowed just two hits with a 12:4 K:BB across eight innings over three relief appearances this season. The Athletics have a hole in the rotation currently, but it may not be an issue until next week. Barnett came up through the minor leagues as a starter, which could make him a candidate for a spot start at some point later in the year. For now, he can be considered a long reliever.

Teng (3-5) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out five batters over four innings against the Angels.

Teng was ambushed early, as the Angels got to him for seven runs over the first two innings. The right-hander closed out his outing with two scoreless frames, but the early damage was more than enough to send him to defeat. Teng did manage to keep the ball in the park, and five of the seven hits against him were singles, but he issued three free passes and hit two batters on a night when his control was clearly lacking. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated to be a home matchup versus Detroit.

Finnegan tossed 1.2 scoreless innings and earned a hold in Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Twins. He walked one and struck out three.

Finnegan got the last two batters of the seventh inning and then worked through the eighth for the Tigers. With Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the IL, Finnegan has gotten some run as Detroit's closer, but he's blown four saves in five chances this year. The Tigers have seemingly turned to Will Vest to end games instead, though Finnegan has been effective overall with a 2.01 ERA across 31.1 innings out of the bullpen this season. The righty also leads the team with nine holds.

Cruz earned the save Tuesday against Cleveland, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts and a walk as New York held on for a 3-2 win.

With David Bednar having worked the previous two nights, Cruz was summoned in the eighth inning with one out and two runners aboard after Jake Bird ran into trouble -- Cruz immediately extinguished the threat by retiring the next two hitters. The right-hander returned for the ninth, and after issuing a leadoff walk, settled in by striking out the next three batters to secure the win. The outing was a reflection of the season Cruz has put together, as he has now held opponents scoreless in 13 of his last 14 appearances and sports a 1.84 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 37:15 K:BB across 29.1 innings. Cruz has earned additional save chances whenever Bednar is unavailable.

Warren will serve as the Mets' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports.

Warren has turned in an impressive 2.01 ERA and 1.12 WHIP through 22.1 innings with the Mets this season, and the team will now entrust him with getting through the top of St. Louis' order in Wednesday's contest. The team hasn't yet announced which pitcher, if any, will work in bulk relief once Warren exits the game.

Lange earned a save against the Rangers on Tuesday, walking one batter and striking out two over one scoreless inning.

Lange was called upon to close things out with Kansas City up by two runs in the ninth inning. The right-hander threw just 10 of 19 pitches for strikes, hurled a wild pitch and walked a batter, but he also struck out the final two batters he faced and got out of the frame without allowing any runs. Lange now has four of the Royals' past five saves and is clearly the team's preferred ninth-inning option. He's earned that role by registering nine consecutive scoreless outings. Since April 22, Lange has a 1.77 ERA and 17:10 K:BB over 20.1 innings spanning 20 appearances.

Duran (1-3) blew the save and took the loss in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Toronto, allowing two runs on three hits while failing to record an out.

Duran was brought out to close things out after the Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth. The right-hander had converted each of his first 16 save chances of the season, but he did not have that same success in Toronto. The game was tied at 2-2 on a wild pitch that brought Myles Straw home before Duran yielded a walk-off single to Brandon Valenzuela. This marks the first time this season that Duran has given up multiple earned runs, and he now sits at a 2.08 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 33:5 K:BB across 21.2 innings.

Varland (3-1) was credited with the win Tuesday against the Phillies after giving up one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the ninth inning.

Varland was brought out for the ninth with the game tied at 1-1, but he gave up just his second run of the season on a two-out RBI double to Bryson Stott. Luckily for Varland, that was the only run he gave up in the inning, and he came away with the win after the Blue Jays scored two runs in the bottom of the frame, capped up off by a walk-off single from Brandon Valenzuela. Varland now sits at a 0.50 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 46:10 K:BB across 35.2 innings this season and has converted all 11 of his save opportunities.

Baker earned the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox after tossing a perfect ninth inning.

Baker was brought in to close things out for a second straight night, and he needed just 13 pitches (seven strikes) to do so Tuesday. He's converted seven straight save opportunities, and his 18 saves are tied with Mason Miller for second most in the majors behind Cade Smith (21). Given that he's come out of the bullpen in two consecutive games, it's unlikely that Baker will be deployed for Wednesday's series finale against Boston.