MLB Player News

Walker (4-2) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out two over one inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Rays.

Walker has given up just two runs (one earned) over 8.1 innings across seven appearances in August while continuing his role as a frequent opener. This was his 10th start of the season, though he's yet to exceed three innings in any appearance. Walker has a 2.23 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 50:13 K:BB over 44.1 innings, and he'll likely continue to see time either as an opener or a low-leverage reliever the rest of the way.

Hader allowed a hit and struck out two without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Hader went over two weeks between save chances and saw just one appearance in that span. He's been dominant over recent months, allowing just one unearned run over 20.1 innings across his last 22 appearances. For the season, the closer is 27-for-31 in save conversions while pitching to a 0.84 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 65:22 K:BB through 42.2 innings overall.

Coleman (0-1) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Mariners.

Coleman loaded the bases with an error, a hit and a walk, and then yielded a sacrifice fly. The Mariners held the lead the rest of the way, sticking Coleman with his first loss in 21 major-league appearances this year. He's avoided taking more defeats simply because the Royals are often already behind when he pitches. For the year, he's managed an awful 8.31 ERA, 2.02 WHIP and 20:18 K:BB through 17.1 innings, though he's also managed to earn four holds.

Wittgren elected free agency Wednesday.

Wittgren was sent to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, but was able to elect free agency due to the fact he had no more minor-league options left. The 32-year-old righty holds a 4.97 ERA and 1.41 WHIP through 29 innings this season and will now look to contribute elsewhere as bullpen depth.

Brash allowed one run on a hit and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Royals.

Brash has followed up a nine-inning scoreless streak with three runs allowed over his last 1.1 frames. He took a blown save and loss Monday against the Royals, but he was able to maintain the lead this time around with Andres Munoz down following a 42-pitch outing Tuesday. Brash is up to three saves, 17 holds, five blown saves, a 3.46 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 85:22 K:BB through 52 innings this season.

Kelly (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Kelly landed on the injured list Sunday due to inflammation in his right forearm and is set to resume throwing off a mound after nearly a week. Kelly will still have to remain out for at least another week following his bullpen session Friday.

Kittredge (elbow) will rejoin the Rays during their upcoming series against the Angels, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Kittredge has been out all season while recovering from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in June 2022. He's played in 12 rehab games with Triple-A Durham, putting up a 5.40 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with nine strikeouts and three walks through 13.1 frames. The 33-year-old righty has collected 13 saves and seven holds since 2021, though he will likely have to be eased back into high-leverage situations as he gets reacclimated to the majors.

Wittgren is expected to elect free agency after being sent to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Kansas City announced Wednesday afternoon that Wittgren had been optioned to Omaha, but it would appear that the 32-year-old right-hander didn't actually have any minor-league options left. He had pitched to a 4.97 ERA and 18:11 K:BB through 29 innings of work this season out of the Royals' bullpen.

Jackson is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Twins in Minnesota, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The right-hander will get a second straight turn through the rotation despite a rocky showing in his first MLB start versus the Reds this past Sunday, when he struck out five while allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings en route to taking a no-decision in the second game of a doubleheader with Cincinnati. Over 26.1 innings in the majors this season, Jackson has posted a stellar 28:5 K:BB, but most of his other ratios (5.47 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 2.1 HR/9) are less impressive.

Thompson (knee) will head to Double-A Harrisburg later this week to begin a rehab assignment, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Thompson has been on the injured list since Aug. 5 due to a left knee contusion, so he'll likely require only one or two tune-up outings in the minors before getting cleared to rejoin the Nationals' bullpen. Though he's been one of the team's top setup options this season, he had struggled throughout July (9.00 ERA, 2.13 WHIP in eight innings) prior to landing on the shelf.