MLB Player News

Estevez (shoulder) started a throwing program Friday, per MLB.com.

Estevez had been shut down since receiving an injection July 1 for a right rotator cuff strain. While it's a positive sign to see the veteran back throwing, the extent of his activity is unknown and figures to be limited, with the Royals expected to proceed cautiously given the series of setbacks the right-hander has faced since landing on the injured list April 1, originally due to a left foot contusion. An exact timeline remains unclear and will depend on how he responds to the throwing progression, but Estevez likely won't be ready to return to the big-league roster until later in August.

O'Brien allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning to pick up the save Friday against the Diamondbacks.

The 31-year-old produced an eighth straight scoreless appearance and is once again tied with Mason Miller atop the National League with 25 saves. During that scoreless stretch, O'Brien has surrendered just three hits and three walks while recording seven saves, though he hasn't been particularly dominant with seven strikeouts.

Wells earned the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Astros, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Wells continues to come through for the Orioles in the ninth with Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the injured list. The right-hander stranded two Astros baserunners, locking down his third save of the year. In 36 games, the 31-year-old now has a 2.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB in 45.2 innings this season.

King (2-3) was charged with his fourth blown save of the season and also took the loss after pitching one inning, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out one batter in Friday's matchup with Baltimore.

King entered the game in the eighth, tasked with maintaining Houston's slim 2-1 lead, but he allowed the eventual game-winning homer to Taylor Ward. In 41 games, the 29-year-old lefty has posted a 3.27 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:16 K:BB in 44 innings.

Sanders (1-0) earned the win after pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning while striking out one batter against the Astros on Friday.

Sanders was called on in a high-leverage situation in his Orioles debut. He entered the game in the seventh, facing a bases-loaded jam. After striking out Isaac Paredes and getting Christian Walker to pop out, the 29-year-old was in line for the win when Taylor Ward hit the go-ahead homer in the eighth.

Dobnak will start Saturday's game against the Padres in Kansas City, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

After firing 5.2 shutout innings as a bulk reliever during his final outing of the first half July 8 against the Mets, Dobnak will now be rewarded with his first start with the big club. The 31-year-old righty will get a favorable draw Saturday, as he'll be facing a Padres lineup that's posted an MLB-worst .673 OPS and has also scored the fewest runs (385) this season.

Erceg (4-3) earned the win against the Padres on Friday, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits in one inning.

Erceg came into the game in the 10th with the game tied and allowed three runs to give San Diego a 6-3 lead before the Royals scored four runs in the bottom of the frame. In 39 games this season, the 31-year-old has posted a 5.21 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 27:21 K:BB through 38 innings.

Hart (0-2) blew the save and took the loss against the Royals on Friday, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits in one-third of an inning.

Hart came in for the 10th inning to protect San Diego's 6-3 lead before blowing his first save of the campaign. The 33-year-old allowed an RBI single to Michael Massey and an RBI groundout by Isaac Collins before Carter Jensen plated two runs to give the Royals the win. In 24 appearances this season, Hart has a 5.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB in 34 innings.

The Rangers are expected to reinstate Junis (hip) from the injured list ahead of Saturday's game against Atlanta, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Junis hasn't pitched since June 29 because of a right hip impingement, but he was with the team during Friday's loss and is now set to rejoin the bullpen Saturday without first heading out on a rehab assignment. The 33-year-old has been one of the most reliable members of Texas' pitching staff this season, posting a 2.80 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across 35.1 innings. He figures to resume working as a setup man for closer Jacob Latz.

Miles (4-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Friday, allowing six runs on six hits while striking out four across four innings. He did not issue a walk.

Miles got into early trouble, yielding five runs in the second inning, capped off by a two-run homer by Sam Antonacci. Miles was tagged for one more run on a bases-clearing double in the fifth, and his five earned runs tied a season high he set against the Orioles on May 31. He figures to get at least one more turn in the rotation, with his next start tentatively slated for next week at home against the Rays. However, that could be Miles' last start if Max Scherzer (back) is cleared to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list.