MLB Player News

Lopez gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 14th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Rangers.

The right-hander fired 11 of 14 pitches for strikes as he snapped a streak of three straight appearances in which he allowed runs, and picked up his first save since June 24. Despite those recent stumbles, Lopez still has a 1.83 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB through 39.1 innings on the year, numbers which could make him an attractive trade target for a contender looking to bolster its bullpen.

Otto (4-5) took the loss Wednesday as the Rangers fell 2-1 to the Orioles, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

Both runs crossed the plate in the second inning, as with two outs and two runners in scoring position, Corey Seager attempted to make a bare-handed play on a soft grounder, only to throw the ball away and allow two runs to score instead of just one on the infield single. Otto got the hook after 91 pitches (58 strikes) and no further damage, but the Rangers' offense couldn't erase the deficit. It was the right-hander's best effort in three starts since returning from the COVID-19 list, but on the season he still carries a shaky 5.26 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 40:32 K:BB through 51.1 innings.

Texas manager Chris Woodward said Howard is expected to get another start after re-entering the Rangers' rotation Tuesday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports. "His stuff is good enough to get anybody out. It (was) his first start back so I figured there might be some inconsistency to it, and hopefully the next time out, he's better," Woodward said.

Howard gave up four runs over four innings against the Orioles on Tuesday. Other than the second inning, when he allowed all the runs to score, Howard made a positive impression on Woodward. The right-hander has pitched well in the minors, posting a 3.69 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 10 starts, but the results against MLB hitters has been the opposite (10.97 ERA, six HR in 10.2 IP). Having removed Taylor Hearn from the rotation, the Rangers are looking at Howard and Glenn Otto to take hold at the back end of the rotation.

Bard (3-3) allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk without recording an out to take the loss Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Bard entered in the ninth inning of a tie game and was unable to maintain the score. He wasn't hit particularly hard -- the game-winning hit didn't leave the infield -- but Bard has now allowed five hits and three walks while giving up two earned runs across his last three appearances. He went through a similar shaky stretch in mid-May and was able to rebound by not allowing an earned run in his next 13 appearances. More importantly, there is no indication that the Rockies are considering removing him from the closer role.

Lawrence was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Lawrence was recalled by the Rockies on July 4 and threw a scoreless frame the same day. However, he was optioned Wednesday to make room for Jose Urena, who allowed one earned run across 6.2 innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday. Lawrence has a 5.17 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 20:13 K:BB across 15.2 frames in the big leagues this season.

Mantiply (1-2) allowed three runs on two hits and a hit batsman over one inning, taking the loss to San Francisco on Wednesday.

Mantiply came on to start the eighth inning with the Diamondbacks holding a 4-2 lead but was unable to preserve it for closer Mark Melancon. A narrow eighth-inning lead normally falls under the purview of Ian Kennedy, but a calf injury landed him on the 15-day injured list. Mantiply has been one of the better arms out of the Arizona bullpen, posting a 1.13 ERA before Wednesday's outing bumped it to 1.91 ERA (2.20 FIP) over 33 innings.

Hendriks did not allow a baserunner while striking out two in a clean ninth inning Wednesday against the Twins.

Hendriks made his second appearance since being activated from the injured list July 4. He threw in the eighth inning in his initial outing but returned to the traditional closer role Wednesday to appear in the top of the ninth frame in a tied game. Hendriks hasn't shown any signs of rust, as he has yet to allow a baserunner while striking out five across two innings since his return.

Minter picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals, allowing no runs on one hit while striking out one and walking none across one inning.

Minter picked up his second save of the season in Wednesday's outing. Both of his saves have come with Kenley Jansen on the injured list. Prior to Jansen's stint on the IL, Minter was used primarily as a set-up man, and he will likely return to that role once Jansen returns. Minter has pitched well this year, as his ERA sits at 1.80.

Kimbrel (2-4) earned the win against the Rockies on Wednesday, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Kimbrel was forced to sit out two days due to a sore back after being nailed by a line drive Sunday, but he received a clean CT scan and was cleared to return to action Wednesday. The veteran closer came in with the score tied 1-1 in the ninth inning, and he made quick work of three Colorado batters, retiring them in order on five combined pitches. Kimbrel was then credited with the win as a result of Los Angeles scoring the winning run in the bottom of the frame. The positive result was likely a sigh of relief for Kimbrel's fantasy managers given the injury scare and the fact that he had blown two of his previous three save chances.

White did not factor in the decision against Colorado on Wednesday, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing one unearned run on one hit and four walks while striking out six batters.

White had some control issues in the outing, but he held Colorado hitless for 5.1 frames before Brendan Rodgers broke the spell with a single to center. Cody Bellinger committed an error on the play that allowed Kris Bryant to score from first base, and White was lifted after retiring one more batter. He ended up with a no-decision thanks to a late-game Dodgers comeback, but the righty hurler deserved a better outcome for his superb outing. White has found a home in the rotation due to injuries to Walker Buehler (elbow) and Andrew Heaney (shoulder), and he's been effective with a 2.22 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 26:11 K:BB over 28.1 innings in six appearances since May 26.