MLB Player News
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Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: Sets new career high in saves
Pagan allowed a hit and a run while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 21st save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Mets.
The 34-year-old righty established a career high in saves, surpassing the 20 he collected in 2019 -- the only other time he's reached double digits in his big-league career. Pagan is doing his best to improve his trade value as the deadline approaches, and over his last 10 appearances he's posted a 0.96 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 9.1 innings while converting all four of his save chances.
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Taijuan Walker SP | PHI
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Allows two homers in no-decision
Walker did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Angels, allowing three runs on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts over four innings.
Walker opened with three scoreless innings before giving up back-to-back homers in a three-run fourth. The 32-year-old threw 50 of 70 pitches for strikes but generated just four whiffs and has completed only four frames in both of his starts since rejoining the rotation July 8. He'll take a 3.75 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 53:25 K:BB across 62.1 innings into a tough matchup with the Yankees next weekend.
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Jeff Hoffman RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Notches 23rd save
Hoffman gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Giants.
After striking out the side Friday in a perfect ninth inning in a non-save situation, Hoffman came back the next day and shut down San Francisco once again. The right-hander has been tagged with earned runs in only one of his last 12 appearances, posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB over 11.1 innings during that stretch while converting six of seven save chances.
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Michael Kopech SP | LAD
Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Begins throwing
Kopech (knee) began a throwing program Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Kopech underwent surgery in early July to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He moved to the 60-day IL shortly afterward, so he isn't eligible to rejoin the active roster until Aug. 27, but the 29-year-old reliever said Saturday that he's optimistic he'll be ready by then.
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Brent Headrick RP | NYY
Yankees' Brent Headrick: Comes off minor-league IL
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre activated Headrick (undisclosed) from the 7-day injured list Saturday.
Headrick landed on the minor-league IL on June 26, but he's now healthy enough to pitch again. The lefty reliever got into 11 games with the Yankees earlier in the campaign, posting a 4.73 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB over 13.1 innings.
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Michael Arias RP | NYY
Yankees' Michael Arias: Activated from minor-league IL
The Yankees activated Arias (undisclosed) from the 7-day minor-league injured list Saturday and transferred him to Double-A Somerset.
Arias landed on the minor-league IL in April but was able to begin a minor-league rehab assignment in late June. In six games between the organization's Florida Complex League, Single-A and High-A affiliates, the righty hurler posted a 3.12 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings. Arias spent most of 2024 with the Cubs' Triple-A squad, and he could progress to that level with the Yankees before the end of the campaign if he makes a good impression at Somerset.
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Justin Slaten RP | BOS
Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Restarts throwing program
Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Slaten (shoulder) has resumed playing catch, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
The Red Sox pulled Slaten off his throwing program last week in an effort to focus on building strength in his shoulder. Now that the team is satisfied with his strength, the right-handed reliever will begin building back up. He remains without an official return timeline, but he figures to still be multiple weeks away from activation.
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Tanner Rainey RP | DET
Tigers' Tanner Rainey: Inks minor-league deal with Detroit
The Tigers signed Rainey to a minor-league contract Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Rainey got into 11 games with Pittsburgh earlier this season, posting an ugly 10.57 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with a 9:6 K:BB over 7.2 innings. The righty has spent most of his MLB career with the Nationals, with arguably his most productive season coming in 2022, when he racked up 12 saves. Rainey will look to get back on track with Triple-A Toledo in an attempt to make it back up to the majors.
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Yerry De Los Santos RP | NYY
Yankees' Yerry De Los Santos: Beginning rehab assignment
De Los Santos (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Saturday.
De Los Santos began throwing off a mound July 5 after being shelved with an elbow injury in mid-June. He'll now begin the final stage of his recovery by playing in minor-league games, and he may still be able to return to the Yankees' bullpen before the end of the month.
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Wikelman Gonzalez SP | CHW
White Sox's Wikelman Gonzalez: Summoned to big club
The White Sox recalled Gonzalez from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.
Gonzalez previously had a stint with the White Sox in late June and allowed two runs on three hits with a 5:4 K:BB over four innings spanning two outings. His call-up Saturday corresponds with rookie starter Shane Smith landing on the IL due to a left ankle sprain. Though Gonzalez has plenty of starting experience in the minors, all 16 of his outings in Triple-A this year have come in relief, and he'll presumably fill a role at the back of Chicago's bullpen while he's up with the team.