MLB Player News

Wingenter was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

This is the corresponding move to accommodate Andrew Vasquez, who was claimed off waivers Friday. Wingenter has a 6.48 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in 8.1 innings this season.

Hicks struck out one in 1.1 perfect innings of relief Friday to record his ninth save of the season, and first as a Blue Jay, in a 7-3 win over the Red Sox.

The Jays held a three-run lead when Hicks took the mound in the bottom of the eighth, and the insurance run they tacked on in the ninth didn't cause him to take his foot off the gas -- the right-hander needed only nine pitches, all strikes, to get the four outs and he topped out at 99.9 mph with his power sinker. Toronto is using a closing committee with Jordan Romano (back) on the shelf, and while Hicks will likely continue to split save chances with Yimi Garcia and Erik Swanson depending on availability and matchups, performances like this will make manager John Schneider very comfortable deploying his newest high-leverage option at the end of games.

Duran allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning Friday, striking out one and earning a save over the Diamondbacks.

Duran has been shaky recently, but he's still converted three straight save chances. Over his last four appearances, he's given up six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks but has been charged with just one blown save during that stretch. His season ERA still sits at 2.89 with a 59:18 K:BB through 43.2 frames.

Phillips allowed one run on one hit over 1.1 innings to earn the save in Friday's 10-5 win over the Padres. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Phillips entered with two outs and two on in the eighth inning and escaped the jam to protect a three-run lead. The Dodgers then tacked on three runs in the ninth, though Phillips gave one of them back on a solo home run by Juan Soto. Phillips is up to 14 saves in 16 chances this season while serving as the Dodgers' top high-leverage option, and the fact that the team didn't make any high-profile additions at the trade deadline gives him some job security. He's added a 2.36 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 47:9 K:BB with six holds over 42 innings.

Cox allowed no hits or walks while striking out one in a scoreless ninth to pick up the save Friday against Philadelphia.

After hitting Kyle Schwarber to start the frame, Cox struck out Alec Bohm, then induced a double play off the bat of Bryce Harper to secure his first career save. With Scott Barlow no longer around and presumed frontrunner Carlos Hernandez pitching in the seventh, the closer position in Kansas City is up for grabs. Cox made a great first impression with his performance and it would not be surprising if he gets the next save opportunity for the Royals.

Brash allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 9-7 win over the Angels.

He allowed the first two batters he faced to reach base before settling down. Andres Munoz had converted the Mariners' first two save chances since they traded away Paul Sewald, but he'd pitched three of the last four days, allowing Brash to step up in a high-leverage spot. The 25-year-old righty has two saves and 15 holds this season while pitching to a 3.28 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 80:20 K:BB over 46.2 innings. Brash has the stuff to be an effective late-inning reliever, though he's still got some strides to make with his control.

Littell (2-2) earned the win Friday, allowing three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings against Detroit. He struck out one.

The Rays gave Littell a nice cushion early and he cruised, completing six frames on 74 pitches. It wasn't a dominant performance in terms of whiffs -- Littell induced just five swinging strikes -- but the right-hander was efficient and kept the ball on the ground. With Shane McClanahan moving to the 15-day injured list this week with forearm tightness, Littell would seem to be locked into the rotation as long as he keeps delivering solid performances.

Finnegan picked up the save Friday against the Reds. He struck out two in a perfect 10th inning.

After the Nationals took the lead against Alexis Diaz in the top of the 10th, Finnegan closed the door, firing 13 of his 15 pitches for strikes. The right-hander lost the closer job earlier this season, but Hunter Harvey is now on the injured list with an elbow injury and the Nationals have made it clear that they will be cautious with the oft-injured hurler. Finnegan, for his part, has looked a lot more worthy of save chances of late, allowing just two hits over eight straight scoreless appearances.

The Yankees optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Friday's game.

A roster spot had to be freed up with Nestor Cortes (shoulder) returning Saturday. Ramirez has been highly effective with a 2.48 ERA so far this season, but he's going to be unavailable for a few days after covering 2.1 innings in Friday's loss to Houston, and the Yankees need all hands on deck over the remainder of the weekend. Expect Ramirez to be back with the club before too long.

Soriano will take the ball to start Saturday's game against the Rangers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soriano has been excellent in 11 appearances out of the Miami bullpen this season, posting a 1.98 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 27.1 innings, and he will be rewarded with his first career start in the big leagues. The 24-year-old has thrown as many as four innings in an appearance this season and will be well rested, but it's a stretch to think he could pitch deep enough into Saturday's game to qualify for a win.