MLB Player News

Hearn allowed one run on one walk while striking out one over 2.1 innings of relief in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Tigers.

Hearn was needed for multiple innings out of the bullpen when starter Mike Foltynewicz was yanked after four innings and three home runs. The Rangers earlier in the day said they plan to stretch out Hearn as a long reliever, but that could be a stop on the way to becoming a member of the rotation. Hearn, who was a starter in the minors, has made one start for Texas this season, memorable for all the wrong reasons; he gave up four runs and three walks in two-thirds of an inning. As a reliever, Hearn has delivered a 3.97 ERA over 45.1 innings. If the Rangers flip Kyle Gibson at the trade deadline or decide that Foltynewicz (6.11 ERA, 2.6 HR/9) or Jordan Lyles (5.20 ERA, 2.9 HR/9) isn't working out, Hearn could join the rotation in August.

Bender hit a batter and struck out one in a scoreless inning during Thursday's 3-2 loss to San Diego. He did not factor in the decision.

Bender was effective in the first inning as the opener ahead of Jordan Holloway. Thursday was Bender's first major-league start, and the scoreless inning lowered his ERA to 2.20 with a 0.92 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB through 32.2 innings overall. The 26-year-old has been an effective reliever, although he's picked up only one save, five holds and two blown saves across 32 appearances.

Melancon struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 3-2 win over Miami.

The 36-year-old has now posted back-to-back clean innings after struggling in his two appearances adjacent to the All-Star break. Melancon upped his league-leading saves total to 29, six more than the White Sox's Liam Hendriks and the Cardinals' Alex Reyes. Through 42 innings, Melancon has a 2.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB.

Shaw (3-4) allowed an unearned run on two hits in one inning, taking the loss versus Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Shaw may have been lucky to limit the damage to one run, but Cleveland wasn't able to even the score in its half of the 10th inning. The 33-year-old has had an adventurous last few outings, racking up one save, two holds, a blown save, a win and a loss in his last five appearances. He owns a 2.91 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 53:29 K:BB through 43.1 innings. The right-hander could see more high-leverage work if James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase continue to struggle as they have for much of July.

Karinchak allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with one strikeout in one inning, taking a blown save in Thursday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to Tampa Bay.

Karinchak was tasked with protecting a two-run lead in the ninth inning, but he allowed a solo home run to Yandy Diaz and and an RBI double to Brandon Lowe to tie the game. Through eight appearances in July, Karinchak has yielded four runs, seven hits and four walks while going 2-for-4 in save chances. The 25-year-old's ERA ticked up to 2.91 with a 1.06 WHIP and 69:24 K:BB through 43.1 innings. Both Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase have struggled in the ninth inning lately, which could leave more opportunities for Bryan Shaw or Nick Wittgren.

Fairbanks (3-3) earned the win Thursday, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless inning versus Cleveland.

After collecting two saves and two holds in his last four outings, Fairbanks added a win to the collection. The 27-year-old kept the game tied in the ninth inning before Tampa Bay pulled ahead in the 10th. The right-hander has been decent with a 3.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB across 30 innings this season. He'll remain in the mix for save chances, having picked up five saves and 10 holds through 32 outings.

Patino allowed four runs on five hits and three walks with four strikeouts in 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus Cleveland on Thursday.

Patino was in line for the loss when he exited the contest, but the offense got him off the hook by rallying to tie the game in the ninth inning. The right-hander's ERA rose to 5.26 with a 1.25 WHIP and 28:8 K:BB across 25.2 innings this season. Considering manager Kevin Cash suggested Patino would need a strong performance to stick in the rotation going forward, it wouldn't be surprising to see the 21-year-old end up either in the bullpen or back at Triple-A Durham after an unimpressive start.

Reyes allowed one walk and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Cubs.

Reyes suffered his first blown save Tuesday, but manager Mike Shildt didn't hesitate to turn to his closer to protect a one-run lead Thursday. The right-hander rewarded his manager's faith with the save, his 23rd in 24 chances this year. While he's allowed six runs across seven innings in July, there's little reason to think Reyes will lose his grip on the closer role. The 26-year-old has a 2.01 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 58:38 K:BB across 44.2 innings overall.

Moore (0-2) allowed six earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four across six innings to take the loss Thursday against Atlanta.

The majority of the damage Moore surrendered came in the third inning. He retired the first two batters he faced but allowed two singles and a walk before serving up a grand slam to Dansby Swanson. This was Moore's longest outing of the season, which at least offset the damage of his outing to some degree. Moore now has a 5.79 ERA with a 37:20 K:BB across 42 innings on the campaign.

Long (back) threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session Thursday, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Long threw a bullpen session Friday and has now taken the next step towards his return to the mound by facing live hitters. He'll likely have to continue to ramp up his workload prior to being activated, though it's unclear if that will require a rehab assignment.