MLB Player News

Jax (3-1) earned the win over the White Sox on Tuesday by completing six innings, during which he allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 10.

The right-hander looked strong in handling a talented White Sox lineup, inducing 14 swinging strikes and registering a career-best 10 punchouts. He allowed two homers and three runs in the third inning but otherwise kept Chicago off the scoreboard. Jax's ERA still sits at an untidy 5.45, but he has allowed only six earned runs while posting an 18:5 K:BB over 20.1 innings covering his past four starts. He's tentatively lined up to take on Cleveland at home early next week.

Martin (3-3) picked up the win against the Mariners on Monday, allowing an unearned run on two hits in 1.1 innings.

Martin entered with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth and induced a Kyle Seager flyout to send the game to extras. After Texas took the lead, manager Chris Woodward opted to stick with the lefty for the tenth, and Martin delivered by recording three straight outs following a run-scoring single. Martin has lowered his ERA from 3.83 to 3.38 with five straight strong outings.

Melancon picked up the save in Tuesday's 6-5 triumph against the Marlins, allowing a hit and striking out two in 1.1 innings.

Melancon entered in the eighth with the tying run on first base and struck out Jorge Alfaro on three pitches, then surrendered a leadoff double in the ninth before recording three straight outs to lock down his 34th save. An efficient 14 strikes on 18 pitches assisted the All-Star closer in delivering his first outing requiring more than three outs since May 12.

Akin (0-6) allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five in three innings as he took the loss versus Detroit on Tuesday.

The southpaw's first start since July 16 didn't go very well, as he allowed four extra-base hits that generated runs. Akin has done somewhat better in a relief role, but he has an 8.23 ERA and 1.79 WHIP through 54.2 innings overall. It's unclear if he'll stay in the rotation -- Baltimore has had trouble from the fifth starter spot -- but if he gets another turn, it would likely be in a challenging road matchup in Boston this weekend.

Chafin snagged his first save of the season Tuesday night, striking out one in a scoreless inning of work to wrap up a 4-3 victory over Cleveland.

Summoned to protect a one-run lead in extra innings with a ghost runner behind him, Chafin needed just seven pitches to emerge from the high-leverage spot with his first save of the season. The self-described "failed starter" has been pretty dang successful since moving from the Cubs to the Athletics, as he has yet to allow a run or walk a batter in seven appearances with Oakland this season.

Wittgren (2-5) was charged with his fifth loss of the season Tuesday night after allowing one unearned run in one inning of work while walking one and striking out one in Cleveland's 4-3 loss to Oakland.

Wittgren was called upon to start the 10th inning against the Athletics on Tuesday night. With ghost runner Elvis Andrus lurking behind him, the right-hander got off to a good start with a strikeout of Mark Canha before Starling Marte moved Andrus over to third on a groundout. After Wittgren intentionally walked Matt Olson, Jed Lowrie came through with an RBI double to give Oakland the lead. Although Wittgren would limit the damage to one run, it was all the Athletics needed to secure the win. While the 30-year-old does sport an inflated 4.79 ERA, his 49:9 K:BB means he's at least finding the zone.

Curtiss was removed from Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs with right elbow discomfort, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Curtiss recorded two outs and allowed a run on two hits while recording a strikeout before leaving the field with an athletic trainer. The right-hander attempted to remain in the contest but was ultimately pulled by manager Craig Counsell. He should be considered day-to-day until the specifics of the injury are known.

Trivino (5-4) picked up his fifth win of the season Tuesday night, working a scoreless inning while walking one in Oakland's 4-3 victory over Cleveland.

Trivino was called upon to protect a 3-3 tie in the ninth inning Tuesday night. After walking Owen Miller to start his outing, it was smooth sailing for the right-hander, as he would retire the next three batters he faced. Oakland scored the winning run in the 10th to snag the comeback victory. Trivino now hasn't allowed an earned run in six straight appearances and takes a sterling 1.84 ERA into play Wednesday.

Smith worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning, earning the save in the win over the Reds on Tuesday.

It wasn't any easy save for Smith, who allowed runners to reach first and second base with one out. However, he was able to get Mike Moustakas to ground out into a double play to end the game. Smith struggled in his last appearance, allowing three runs in a blown save against the Nationals. The 31-year-old still has a 3.55 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with a 10.5 K/9 in 45.2 innings.

Manaea allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts through 1.2 innings, taking a no-decision in Tuesday's 4-3 win over Cleveland.

On an extremely humid night in Cleveland, Manaea struggled mightily with his command. Despite pulverizing the rosin bag in search of any iota of extra grip, the left-hander needed 69 pitches to get five outs and worked himself into five full counts. While this marks the second consecutive rough outing for the 29-year-old, the conditions played a huge part in Tuesday night's meltdown. Manaea and fantasy managers alike will be glad to know that his next start is expected to come in the climate-controlled confines of Globe Life Field against the lowly Rangers on Sunday.