MLB Player News

Perez struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Tuesday's 9-5 win over the Astros.

Yennier Cano put two runners on, but Perez was able to escape the jam for his second save of the season. Over his last 23 appearances spanning 17.2 innings, Perez has allowed two unearned runs, 12 hits and two walks while striking out 17, though he has just one save, two holds and a win in that span. The southpaw had a rough start to the season, but he's now at a respectable 3.16 ERA despite a 1.48 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB through 51.1 innings overall. Perez has added 10 holds and a 4-1 record, and he's had more high-leverage chances since Felix Bautista (elbow) has been out.

Kelly (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Kelly has missed most of this season after undergoing a ulnar nerve transposition revision in his right elbow. He's made six rehab appearances and is nearly ready to rejoin Boston's bullpen following a lengthy absence.

Newcomb (knee) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Joey Estes. Newcomb is done for the season following left knee lateral meniscus surgery but is expected to be ready for spring training.

Sweet was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Sweet yielded two runs over two innings during his brief time with the Athletics after being claimed off waivers. He's clearing out to make room for Wednesday's starting pitcher, Joey Estes.

Santos was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right elbow inflammation.

Given that he last pitched Sept. 16, Santos will be ineligible to return this season. He was given an opportunity to run with the closer's role after the trade deadline, but Santos logged a 6.00 ERA and 1.47 WHIP while going 3-for-6 in save situations over the past six weeks. Bryan Shaw, who blew a save Tuesday, and Aaron Bummer are presumably next up for save chances the rest of the way.

Crochet (shoulder) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Crochet is returning from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte. The reliever has not made an appearance in the majors since June 15, when he suffered a shoulder injury. He struck out 10 while allowing one hit and zero walks over four scoreless innings during this latest rehab assignment.

Kelly (back) gave up three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning of relief in his return from the 15-day injured list in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Royals.

The Guardians opened up a spot on the 28-man active roster for Kelly when they exposed Matt Moore to waivers, with the southpaw reliever ultimately getting claimed by Miami. While making his first appearance for the big club in more than a month, Kelly was roughed up by the Royals and needed 28 pitches just to record three outs. He'll likely work in middle relief or lower-leverage spots over the rest of the season.

The Padres list Martinez as their probable starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Cardinals at Petco Park.

San Diego hasn't formally clarified its pitching plans for Saturday, but Martinez will likely be deployed in tandem with Pedro Avila after that pairing worked successfully this past Sunday in Oakland. In the Padres' 10-1 win over the Athletics, Martinez opened the game with five strikeouts over three scoreless, one-hit frames, while Avila followed with the exact same pitching line. Martinez could add an inning or two to his workload Saturday, though Avila would probably be the pitcher most likely to pick up a win if he ends up being available in bulk relief.

Assad (4-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 14-1 rout of the Pirates, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight.

A Ke'Bryan Hayes solo shot in the third inning was the only blemish on Assad's line as the 26-year-old righty set a new career high for strikeouts in a game. Since getting fully stretched out and locking down a spot in the Cubs rotation in mid-August, Assad sports a 2.68 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB through 47 innings. He'll likely next take the mound this weekend at home against the Rockies.

Finnegan picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over an inning.

The White Sox made things interesting in the ninth, cutting the Nats' lead to 4-3, but Finnegan ultimately got Elvis Andrus to fly out, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base. It's been a rocky stretch for Finnegan, who's now allowed eight runs over his last six appearances (5.2 innings). Still, the right-hander appears to have a solid grasp on the closing job in Washington as he improved to 26-for-34 in save chances this season. Through 66.1 innings on the campaign, Finnegan sports a 3.66 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB.