MLB Player News

Staumont allowed a run on one hit and one walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning versus Houston on Wednesday.

Staumont picked up a hold in his appearance, though the Royals didn't end up holding onto the lead. Across 10.1 innings in August, Staumont has allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while racking up 13 strikeouts, a win and five holds. He's logged a 3.42 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 57:21 K:BB in 50 innings overall, in addition to five saves and nine holds while filling a versatile high-leverage role.

Antone (forearm) will undergo Tommy John surgery Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Antone was diagnosed with a right forearm strain Wednesday, and the issue will force him to undergo his second Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old missed the 2017 campaign due to the procedure and will be sidelined for most or all of 2022 after he goes under the knife Friday. The right-hander made 23 relief appearances in 2021 while battling injuries, and he posted a 2.14 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with three saves and eight holds in 33.2 innings.

Boston manager Alex Cora suggested Barnes may not be used in a save situation the next time he pitches, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Cora avoided using Barnes on Wednesday after Boston's closer failed to get out of the ninth inning the previous two days. Going back to the beginning of August, Barnes has an ugly 16.88 ERA with three losses and two blown saves. "We'll see how the games go, right? We'll use him accordingly," Cora said. "I don't want to say, 'He's not the closer,' or, 'He is the closer,' 'He's a setup guy.' We've got to get him right. That's the most important thing." That statement is ambiguous and open to interpretation, but it suggests Barnes may be used in a low-leverage situation, then Cora will go from there. Garrett Whitlock and Hansel Robles replaced Barnes in relief Monday and Tuesday and could be in line for more opportunities.

Hendriks was not available to pitch Wednesday and may not be ready to pitch in Thursday's series finale against Toronto, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Hendriks was not available Wednesday, after the closer threw 39 pitches for the final five outs in Tuesday's win. La Russa added it's possible he won't be ready for Thursday's afternoon game. Craig Kimbrel is ready to pitch the ninth inning should a save situation arise.

Kimbrel could operate as the closer Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Liam Hendriks, the team's primary closer, was unavailable Wednesday after throwing 39 pitches to close out the final five outs of Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays. The manager said it was possible Hendriks would be avoided for Thursday afternoon's series finale. Kimbrel was targeted to pitch the ninth Wednesday, but a save situation did not present itself.

Floro (5-4) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up one hit and striking out one in a scoreless 10th inning during a 4-3 victory over the Nationals.

With a save opportunity off the table, Floro entered a 3-3 tie in the top of the 10th and nearly allowed the phantom runner to score, but Carter Kieboom got thrown out at the plate on a Riley Adams single. Since taking over the closer role in August, Floro hasn't exactly been dominant, posting a 4.15 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB through 8.2 innings while converting three of four save chances.

Finnegan (4-5) took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals were downed 4-3 by the Marlins, recording one out and giving up an unearned run on one hit and two walks in the 10th inning.

The 29-year-old was essentially victim of the phantom runner rule in extra innings -- after Lewis Brinson laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Jesus Sanchez to third base to open the bottom of the 10th, Finnegan issued two intentional walks to load the bases only to give up a walkoff single to Jorge Alfaro. The right-hander has only allowed one earned run in nine August innings, picking up three saves on four chances plus a win and a hold, but he also has three losses on the month. Finnegan's 5:4 K:BB and five unearned runs are red flags that he's been more lucky than good as the Nats' closer.

Barlow was tagged with a blown save Wednesday versus Houston, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing no runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two.

While the right-hander wasn't charged with any runs in the contest, he gave up a two-out, game-tying single in the eighth inning after being called upon to try to preserve a one-run lead. Barlow recovered to hold Houston scoreless in the ninth, but Kansas City lost the game in the 10th frame. Barlow should remain the most likely pitcher to pick up save opportunities for the Royals, as he has allowed only one earned run over his past nine appearances.

Yarbrough allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out none across four innings Wednesday against the Phillies. He did not factor into the decision.

Despite not missing many bats, Yarbrough wasn't hit hard as he didn't allow any extra-base hits. His performance made it surprising that he was pulled after only 55 pitches, especially considering he had thrown 70 and completed five innings in his previous outing. Assuming he is allowed to work deeper into his next appearance, Yarbrough has shown some positive signs by not allowing any home runs across nine frames since being activated from the injured list Aug. 18. For the season, he has a 4.57 ERA with a 101:23 K:BB across 128 innings.

Gilbert allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four across five innings Wednesday against the Pirates. He did not factor into the decision.

Gilbert didn't allow a baserunner across his first three innings of work, but he ran into trouble later in his start. He loaded the bases in the fourth frame but avoided major damage. One inning later, he allowed multiple runners to reach scoring position but allowed only one additional earned run. In a tougher matchup, Gilbert likely would have had a more difficult time preventing runs, and he's now allowed 12 hits and four walks while striking out only six across 10 innings and two starts since tossing a no-hitter on Aug. 14.