MLB Player News

Long recorded his first save in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Brewers, firing a perfect 10th inning.

Long breezed through his one frame on 15 pitches, 10 which he threw for strikes. The southpaw and first-year Athletic has mostly been a bright spot for manager Mark Kotsay, and he's now allowed just one run over seven innings covering his last four appearances while also recording a hold in addition to Saturday's save.

Fujinami (3-6) got the extra-inning win against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing a walk and recording a strikeout during a scoreless ninth inning.

The frequently embattled right-hander got through his one frame on an efficient 15 pitches, nine of which found the strike zone. Outings like Saturday's are quietly becoming more of the norm for Fujinami, who may finally be finding his stride against MLB hitters following a successful career in Japan. The towering 29-year-old has now allowed one or no earned runs in five of the last six appearances, a six-inning span during which his 4.50 ERA represents a monumental improvement over the 12.69 figure he went into that stretch with. He's also notably been called upon in higher-leverage scenarios in each of his last two outings and responded by allowing one unearned run on a hit and three walks over 2.2 scoreless frames.

Chicago recalled Banks from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Banks was recalled after the White Sox placed Liam Hendriks on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. Banks has been effective at the major-league level with a career 3.10 ERA in 61 innings over 39 appearances, and he'll likely be a multi-inning middle relief option for the White Sox while he's with the club.

Chicago placed Hendriks on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right elbow inflammation, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hendricks will miss at least two weeks while he recovers from the injury, although elbow injuries to pitchers often require a longer stay on the IL than that minimum amount of time. The right-hander has registered a 5.40 ERA with one save over five appearances since returning to the White Sox after completing treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Tanner Banks was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to replace Hendriks on the 26-man active roster, but it's likely that Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly see most of the save chances for the White Sox while Hendriks is on the IL.

Jackson earned a save against Philadelphia on Saturday, allowing three hits and striking out three batters over three scoreless innings.

Jackson was called up earlier in the day and was deployed in the seventh inning after rookie Bobby Miller gave Los Angeles six scoreless frames. Jackson preserved the shutout and was credited with a save, throwing 30 of 39 pitches for a strike without walking any batters. The right-hander has notched two saves this season and four in his career, all of which have been three innings in length. His latest call-up is a result of Shelby Miller going on the bereavement list, so Jackson may head back to the minors before long.

Toronto optioned Francis to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Francis provided 2.2 innings of relief in Saturday's loss to the Twins, and since he likely wouldn't be available for the next few days, the Blue Jays recalled a fresh arm in Thomas Hatch from Buffalo to take his place on the roster. The 27-year-old Francis should settle back into a spot in the Buffalo rotation upon returning to the minors.

Toronto recalled Hatch from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Hatch will provide a fresh arm for the Toronto bullpen. The 28-year-old has made two scoreless appearances for the Blue Jays in 2023 with a 3:1 K:BB over 1.1 innings of work. Bowden Francis was optioned back to Durham in the corresponding transaction.

Tampa Bay optioned Lopez to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Lopez will head back to the minors after he made his MLB debut in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Rangers, striking out two while allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk over two innings. The Rays will replace Lopez on the 26-man active roster with a fresh arm in right-hander Ryan Thompson, who was called up from Durham in a corresponding move.

Houston recalled Gage from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Gage takes the place of fellow reliever Ryne Stanek (personal), who was placed on the family medical emergency list Saturday. In four relief innings with Houston earlier in the season, Gage allowed a pair of earned runs. He's likely a mid-to-late-inning option for the big club while he's on the roster.

Cleveland optioned Herrin to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Herrin was removed from the 26-man active roster to make room for Cody Morris after Morris was activated off the 60-day injured list by the Guardians on Sunday. Herrin was with the club for only a day as he was recalled by Cleveland prior to Saturday's affair, and he'll likely be up and down for the Guardians throughout the 2023 campaign.