MLB Player News

Duffey allowed no runs with no hits or walks while striking out four over 1.2 innings Thursday against the Guardians, and the addition of a changeup to his arsenal has contributed to his recent improvement, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Duffey has thrown nine scoreless innings over his last six appearances with a 8:2 K:BB. It's a stark turnaround after he began the season with a 6.38 ERA and 24:8 K:BB in his first 24 innings, a rough stretch that saw him relegated to low-leverage opportunities. Duffey has switched his pitch mix, relying less on a high fastball and using the changeup more frequently. He could return to a key setup role if he continues performing well.

Feyereisen (shoulder) has begun one-armed plyo ball exercises, Ethan Diamandas of MLB.com reports.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Feyereisen is continuing to feel better, but the bone bruise in his shoulder has not yet fully healed. As a result, he has yet to resume throwing and appears to still be at least a few weeks from returning to the mound.

Thornton gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning Thursday to record his second hold of the season in a win over the Rays.

With closer Jordan Romano getting a rest, Adam Cimber handled the ninth inning and David Phelps the eighth, opening up a high-leverage setup spot for Thornton as he protected a 2-1 lead. The right-hander is prone to occasional blowups, but he posted a solid 4.08 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB through 17.2 innings in June, and his ability to work in a variety of roles should keep him busy in the second half for Toronto.

Bracho reported to Atlanta and will be active for Friday's contest versus the Reds.

After he was traded to the team from the Red Sox on Thursday, Bracho will be available out of the bullpen Friday. Over 18 games in Triple-A this season he posted a 3.16 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 36 punchouts over 31.1 innings. The right-hander will likely be used in low-leverage situations.

Tarnok gave up two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings Thursday for Double-A Mississippi, tying his career high as a professional with 12 strikeouts.

The right-hander got stronger as the start progressed, and Tarnok fanned eight of the final nine batters he faced while striking out the side in the fourth and fifth innings. The 23-year-old had a shaky start to the season, but over his last five appearances he's posted a 2.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB through only 17.2 innings. Tarnok has yet to put everything together after being the 80th overall pick in the 2017 Draft, but his fastball sits in the mid-90s and his curveball has flashed plus, and he may still have some development left in his athletic 6-foot-3 frame.

Kimbrel earned the save against the Padres on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Kimbrel was asked to protect a two-run lead, and he did so successfully without allowing any baserunners. The veteran threw nine of 14 pitches for strikes and fanned multiple batters for the sixth time in his past nine outings. Kimbrel finished June with a 2.70 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over 10 innings during the month. He picked up four saves in five chances along with one win.

White pitched 4.2 innings against San Diego on Thursday, allowing one run on six hits and one walk while striking out three. He did not factor in the decision.

White got off to a rough start in the contest, allowing a run to score in the first inning on a Manny Machado double and a Nomar Mazara single. However, that was the only score the Padres could muster off the right-hander, who has taken over a rotation spot while Andrew Heaney (shoulder) is on the injured list. White hasn't been spectacular, but he's pitched well overall for the Dodgers this season, posting a 3.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB over 34.1 frames.

Martinez (1-1) took the loss against Seattle on Thursday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings.

Martinez was called up early in the day to make his second career start. His first outing went well -- he pitched 5.1 scoreless frames -- but it was a much different story Thursday, as the right-hander couldn't get out of the fifth inning. Martinez was torched for a pair of homers and a triple among the seven hits he allowed, and he managed to induce only one swinging strike across his 83 pitches. It's unclear if he'll remain in the rotation for another start, but he'll likely need to begin missing more bats to be successful at the major-league level.

Sewald earned a save against the Athletics on Thursday, allowing a run on one hit while striking out three over one inning.

Sewald was summoned with Seattle up by three runs in the ninth inning, and he struck out the side around a one-out solo homer off the bat of Ramon Laureano to secure the save. The veteran has emerged as the Mariners' preferred ninth-inning option, notching a save in each of his past four outings while posting a 7:0 K:BB and allowing just one hit and one run over that span. Sewald leads the Mariners with eight saves on the campaign, doubling the number of his nearest competitor (Diego Castillo).

Pressly struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in the ninth inning to record his 17th save of the season Thursday against the Yankees.

Pressly successfully protected a one-run lead to earn the save Thursday. Since blowing an opportunity against the Yankees on June 23, Pressly has not allowed a baserunner across three innings -- and three appearances -- while recording five strikeouts. On the season, Pressly has a 3.68 ERA and a 20:8 K:BB across 22 frames.