MLB Player News

Akin (2-1) allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday over the Brewers.

The Orioles rallied ahead in the eighth inning with Akin in the game, giving him his first win since April 23. The southpaw has been alright as a middle reliever, allowing a run on seven hits with a 5:1 K:BB over his last 5.1 inning since he was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk in late May. He's at a 4.50 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB with three holds through 16 innings this season.

Banks was returned to Triple-A Charlotte after the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Banks was added as the 27th man for the second game of the twin bill. He did not appear in the contest but is likely to serve as bullpen depth at some point during the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

Hudson (knee) kicked off a rehab assignment with the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League team Tuesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Hudson tore the ACL in his left knee in June of last year and has been slowly working his way back to action. There was some hope during spring training that the reliever could return by the end of April, but his progress has been slower than anticipated. The Dodgers have the fourth-worst bullpen ERA in the majors this season, so they could certainly use Hudson's help, especially if he can come anywhere close to his 2022 performance, which included a 2.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 30:5 K:BB over 24.1 innings. According to manager Dave Roberts, the veteran right-hander is still weeks away from a return, per MLB.com, but he could ascend to a high-leverage role relatively quickly upon his activation.

Lange (3-2) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while retiring just two batters to blow the save and take the loss Thursday against the Phillies.

Lange allowed four earned runs while retiring just a single batter in his last outing Sunday, and he struggled again Thursday, blowing his second save of the year in 12 chances. Before this rough two-game stretch, he had a dominant 1.11 ERA, but that has jumped to 3.20. Lange should still have some wiggle room as the team's closer, but continued poor play could lead to Jason Foley or Jose Cisnero potentially seeing some save opportunities.

Boxberger (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Boxberger will head to the Cubs' spring training facility to throw his second bullpen session in the last week. It's unclear how much longer he'll need to ramp up before returning to game action, though he is expected to go on at least a brief rehab assignment before being activated.

Doval picked up the save Thursday against Colorado, logging a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Doval has converted his last 12 save opportunities, improving to 16-for-17 on the season. He's allowed just two earned runs in that span (16.2 innings) while striking out 26. The 25-year-old Doval has been a top-tier closing option this season -- his ERA is down to 1.95 with a 0.94 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB through 27.2 innings.

Banks was added to the White Sox roster as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

The White Sox used five pitchers in their Game 1 win over the Yankees, including several of their high-leverage relievers. Banks could reasonably be expected to see game action in the nightcap as a result, and he has performed well at the big-league level across the last two seasons by maintaining a 3.10 ERA and 54:20 K:BB across 61 frames.

Rockies manager Bud Black said after Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Giants that Johnson's status as the primary closer will be "addressed," Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Johnson was called into Thursday's game with the Rockies leading 4-3 in the top of the ninth inning and promptly gave up three earned runs on two hits and two walks while recording only two outs. He's blown two saves in the last week and his season ERA has risen to 7.50. Justin Lawrence, Jake Bird, Brent Suter and Brad Hand are among the other options at closer for Colorado. Daniel Bard could maybe even get another shot.

Moll will serve as the Athletics' opening pitcher Friday against the Brewers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Luis Medina had been the listed starter for Oakland, but he'll instead operate in bulk relief. Moll owns a 4.57 ERA through 21.2 innings this year, working exclusively out of the bullpen.

Bautista picked up the save in Thursday's 6-3 victory over Milwaukee. He allowed a hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Bautista has allowed just one earned run in his last 14 appearances (15.1 innings), striking out 34 in that span. The 6-foot-8 right-hander has emerged as one of the elite closing options in the league since Baltimore traded Jorge Lopez at the trade deadline last summer. Bautista is 16-for-20 in save chances this season, with Thursday's performance lowering his ERA to a pristine 1.20 with a 1.10 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB through 30 innings.