MLB Player News

Zerpa (1-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out four over three innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Athletics.

Zerpa served as more of an opener, allowing the Royals to ease Zack Greinke back in for his return from an elbow injury. Zerpa ended up giving up all the runs the Athletics scored during his time on the mound, and his future in the rotation for the rest of this season is likely in doubt. He's pitched to a poor 7.16 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 16.1 innings over six appearances (two starts).

May struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Royals.

May threw 14 pitches (eight strikes) to submit his second straight clean inning against the Royals. He's pitched three of the last four days, so it's possible he may not be available to close if Wednesday's day game presents a save opportunity. May is at a 4.37 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 29:26 K:BB with 13 saves in 16 chances over 35 innings this season. Lucas Erceg would be the most likely candidate to collect a save chance if May is resting Wednesday.

Harris (3-6) earned the win Tuesday in the Athletics' 5-4 victory over the Royals, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings.

Harris wasn't sharp, throwing 54 of 86 pitches for strikes in the bulk-relief outing, but he was able to keep the Athletics ahead after they took the lead in the second inning. It's an improvement on the eight runs in three innings he gave up Aug. 2 versus the Dodgers in his previous major-league outing. Harris has an uninspiring 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 56:28 K:BB over 63 innings through 14 appearances (six starts) in the majors this year. With Luis Medina (finger) on the injured list, Harris could stick as part of the rotation even if he continues to work behind an opener. Harris is tentatively lined up for a favorable road outing versus the White Sox over the weekend.

Robertson walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Padres.

Robertson took a blown save his last time out, allowing three runs in an inning versus the Dodgers on Saturday. It appears that was just a blip on the radar, as he was in much better form Tuesday while picking up his 18th save in 23 chances this season. The veteran right-hander has allowed multiple runs three times over eight outings in August, but he's still at a 2.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB through 53 innings between the Mets and the Marlins this year.

Diaz picked up the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Angels. He struck out one over a clean inning.

Diaz notched his first save since Aug. 7 -- his longest stretch without a save this season -- by registering a perfect ninth frame. Though Diaz hasn't been a save contributor as of late, he picked up a win in each of his previous two appearances and hasn't allowed a hit in the past 3.2 innings of action. Despite the drought, Diaz remains MLB's leader in saves, and he boasts a 2.30 ERA and a 75:24 K:BB across 54.2 innings.

Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with lower back tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ortega entered the game in the seventh inning and got two outs while walking three across 25 pitches. He grimaced after throwing a slider in the dirt and then exited the game. While the length of his absence is unclear, it's seemingly a positive that he avoided an arm issue.

Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with an apparent injury, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Ortega entered the game in the seventh inning and was seen grimacing after throwing a slider in the dirt. He left the mound shortly thereafter, but additional details have yet to emerge.

Lange worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Monday's 8-6 win over the Cubs. He struck out one.

After command issues seemingly bumped him from the closer role recently, it appears that Lange may be back in the saddle, as he's now recorded the team's last two saves. That gives the righty 19 saves for the season in 22 chances. Jason Foley worked the eighth inning Monday, but he could still some opportunities. However, Lange has the more overpowering stuff, and it seems like the Tigers want to see him stick in the role as long as he's throwing strikes.

Jameson (elbow) has been throwing from up to 90 feet, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Jameson has been sidelined by a UCL strain since July 7 and is currently on the 60-day injured list. While a return is still well in the future, manager Torey Lovullo said that there is hope that Jameson will be able to take the mound again in the current campaign.

Brentz's (elbow) rehab assignment was transferred to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday.

Brentz, who is on the road back from Tommy John surgery, made two appearances in the Arizona Complex League, striking out three while allowing an unearned run in 1.2 innings. The reliever will presumably make several more rehab appearances before potentially returning to the big leagues before the end of the season.