MLB Player News

Payamps (calf) retired the only batter he faced on a groundout to earn a hold in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Yankees.

Payamps has pitched twice since suffering a calf bruise in Thursday's game. He's made four scoreless appearances spanning 4.1 innings since he was claimed off waivers from Kansas City. In that stretch, he's given up four hits, struck out three and earned one win. Payamps has a 2.87 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB through 47 innings across 33 appearances between the A's and the Royals this year, mainly as a low-leverage option.

Puk struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Yankees.

Puk gave up two unearned runs in one inning versus the Yankees on Saturday, but he bounced back with a sharp effort Sunday. This was his fourth save of the season, all of which have come since July 22. He's had his ups and downs in August, but the southpaw has a clearer path to saves after Dany Jimenez (shoulder) was shut down for the season on Saturday. Zach Jackson will also be part of the closing committee, though save chances with the 48-81 Athletics could be tough to come by. Puk has a 2.53 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 60:16 K:BB while adding 17 holds, three blown saves and a 3-1 record through 53.1 innings this year.

Martinez (3-3) allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings to earn the win over the Yankees on Sunday.

Martinez spent three weeks at Triple-A Las Vegas, but he was brought up Sunday to replace Zach Logue in Oakland's rotation. Against a tough opponent. Martinez turned in an impressive start and picked up his first win since July 5. The right-hander has logged a 5.28 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB through 29 innings across six starts this year. The 25-year-old likely earned himself another start with this outing, which is tentatively expected to be a road matchup in Baltimore.

Montero recorded the save Sunday against Baltimore, allowing a run on three hits while striking out two in the ninth inning of a 3-1 victory.

Montero gave up a double to Anthony Santander and an RBI single to Austin Hays to account for Baltimore's first run of the game. After another single and with the winning run at the plate, the 31-year-old punched out Rougned Odor on a 3-2 pitch to end the game. With Ryan Pressly (neck) out, Montero has received the last two save chances for Houston and has nine saves on the year. Pressly will be out until at least Sept. 6, and Montero is likely to get the bulk of the save opportunities in his absence.

Junis (4-4) took the loss Sunday in Minnesota, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out two in 4.1 innings.

Junis failed to make it through five innings for the fifth time in seven starts since the All-Star break. The 29-year-old held the Twins scoreless through the first two frames but allowed a run-scoring double in the third, a two-run homer in the fourth and three more runs in the fifth. Five of the nine hits he allowed went for extra bases. Since the break, he's compiled a 5.68 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 31.2 innings. His next start will likely be next weekend against Philadelphia.

Jimenez earned the save Sunday in Texas, striking out one in two-thirds of an inning in a 9-8 victory.

Jimenez entered the game with one out and a runner on first after the Rangers scored three runs off Gregory Soto to get within a run of the Tigers. Jimenez struck out Adolis Garcia and retired the next batter to end the game. It was his second save of the season and first since July 4. With Soto struggling, Jimenez may receive the occasional save chance over the last part of the season.

Mata was promoted to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Mata missed the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery and spent the start of this year continuing to recover. However, he performed well after being activated at Double-A Portland, posting a 1.85 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 48.2 innings over 10 appearances (nine starts). He's expected to make his first start at Worcester sometime this week.

Bard struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save Sunday against the Mets. He allowed one hit and did not walk a batter.

Bard worked around a Pete Alonso single to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn his 27th save on the season. The 37-year-old is now seventh in the majors in saves and well over the 20 he recorded in 2021. He now owns a strong 2.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP on the campaign.

Voth (4-2) took the loss Sunday in Houston, allowing a run on a hit and three walks while striking out four in six innings.

Voth allowed a leadoff double to David Hensley in the third but otherwise kept Houston's bats silent. He faced two batters over the minimum through the first six frames thanks to two double-play groundballs. He was removed after a walk to begin the seventh, and that runner later came around to score. It was the second time in three starts that Voth pitched six innings and allowed one run or fewer without recording a win. Since the All-Star break, he has a 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 28:12 K:BB in 36 innings across seven starts. His next start will likely be next weekend against Toronto.

Davidson did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and five walks over four innings in an 8-3 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out five.

The only damage on the scoreboard against Davidson came on a Matt Chapman double in the fourth inning, but Davidson was all over the place as he allowed five walks on the day. In fact, he was pulled from the game after allowing a walk in the fifth inning. This was his second effort with five walks this season, and he has failed to record fewer than two in any single start. The southpaw will look to find his command in his next start, which is scheduled for next weekend against Houston.