MLB Player News

Trivino gave up two earned runs on three hits -- including a home run -- and a walk while strikeout out one over two-thirds of an inning in a 5-4 win over the Rangers on Friday.

The Athletics closer was called upon to protect a three-run lead heading into the ninth but things unraveled quickly and Trivino was pulled from the game with the tying run at second base. He was relieved by A.J. Puk who notched his first career save. Trivino is arguably the weakest pitcher who regularly closes games at the major-league level and his days in the closer role could be numbered. The 30-year-old veteran has an abysmal 6.83 ERA this season and could be replaced by Puk if Athletics manager Mark Kotsay feels the need to shake things up.

Puk hit one batter but pitched a scoreless third of an inning to earn the save in a 5-4 win over the Rangers on Friday.

Manager Mark Kotsay had originally called upon Lou Trivino to close out the game with the Athletics leading 5-2 coming into the ninth. Trivino struggled immensely, giving up two earned runs on three hits and a walk, including a home run to Nathaniel Lowe to nearly blow the save. Puk came on in relief with runners on first and second and proceeded to hit a batter before inducing a hard groundout to third for the final out of the game with the bases loaded. It was Puk's first career save. Trivino's 6.83 ERA is unsuitable for a closer and Puk could be the man who steps in to replace him if there is a changing of the guard in Oakland's bullpen.

Howard (1-2) gave up four earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings to take the loss in a 5-4 defeat to the Athletics on Friday.

Howard had another rough outing, this time surrendering two home runs off the bats of Ramon Laureano and Seth Brown. The performance raised his ERA to 7.11 over five starts and seven appearances. The right-hander ranks in the bottom first percentile of many key Statcast indicators, including xwOBA, xERA and xSLG. The Rangers may continue to hand him the ball as Dane Dunning recovers from an ankle impingement. Look for Howard to take the mound on the road against the Angels next week.

Rogers worked a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 27th save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Mets.

He did hit a batter with a pitch but otherwise Rogers was sharp, tossing 11 of 15 pitches for strikes. The southpaw may be over his early July struggles, as he's converted four straight save chances and turned in three straight scoreless appearances. On the season, Rogers sports a 3.72 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 44:7 K:BB through 38.2 innings.

Hudson (neck) threw a pain-free bullpen session Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Hudson's next step is likely to be a rehab assignment, though a date for that has yet to be announced. If all goes well, he could be activated for next weekend's series versus the Nationals. The Cardinals are expected to get by with a four-man rotation next week since they have both Monday and Thursday off.

Bautista (hand) struck out the side in a perfect inning in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Yankees.

Bautista dealt with a sore right hand before the All-Star break, but a week off served him well. He's put together 4.1 consecutive scoreless innings in his last four appearances. Bautista has a 1.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 47:13 K:BB with 12 holds, two saves, a blown save and a 3-2 record through 37.2 innings. He'll resume his role as a setup man to closer Jorge Lopez.

Neris allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn his first save of the season in Friday's 5-2 win over the Mariners.

Neris blew a save and picked up a win in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Yankees, but he received another chance to close out a contest just a day later. He delivered this time, working around a one-out double from Dylan Moore. Neris has mainly been a setup man for the Astros, but he's seen save chances lately with Ryan Pressly (personal) on the paternity list. Neris owns a 3.60 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 41:11 K:BB, 18 holds and two blown saves through 40 innings this year.

Long (1-3) took the loss Friday versus the Dodgers. He allowed four unearned runs on two hits, a walk and a hit batter while striking out one in one inning.

Long had some control issues, as evidenced by a wild pitch and his plunking of Jake Lamb before serving up a grand slam to Cody Bellinger. While this mess wasn't his alone, it was the third time Long's allowed multiple runs in his last five outings. The southpaw has a 2.92 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB through 37 innings in 23 appearances (six starts). With Jakob Junis back from the injured list and ready to rejoin the rotation, Long is likely to serve as a middle reliever capable of working multiple innings.

Arano (knee) allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks without recording a strikeout in one inning during Friday's 10-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Arano's return after more than a six-week absence wasn't a great one, though an error by Maikel Franco extended the Diamondbacks' eighth-inning rally. Arano allowed only one baserunner while striking out five over three innings in three appearances with Triple-A Rochester after his rehab progressed past rookie ball. The right-hander has a 5.18 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 25:6 K:BB in 24.1 innings this year, but he'll likely handle mostly low-leverage work for now.

King suffered a fracture in his right elbow Friday against the Orioles, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Sherman also reports that King is expected to miss the rest of the season, though further testing will confirm that. King was an excellent reliever for the Yankees while maintaining a 2.29 ERA and a 66:16 K:BB across 51 innings on the campaign.