MLB Player News

The Rangers are prepping King to potentially join the starting rotation, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

King, who has been a starter in the minors, has served as a multi-inning reliever for the Rangers in 2021, including a three-inning, season-high 38-pitch effort against Minnesota on Saturday. "He's got multiple pitches. He's got good command. He can get through innings quickly because of his sinker. It made sense to us to see what that at least looks like going into the second half of the season and see what we've got," manager Chris Woodward said. The Rangers will likely push King's pitch count higher the next time out. It may make sense for Texas, losers in 19 of the last 22 games and 20 games below .500, to move on from veterans Mike Foltynewicz (5.59 ERA, 17 HR, 74 IP) and Jordan Lyles (5.68 ERA, 16 HR, 71.1 IP).

Clase recorded a perfect inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 2-1 win over Pittsburgh.

The hard-throwing right-hander needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to preserve a one-run lead in the eighth inning. Clase (11-for-12 in saves) has held a slight edge in closing duties compared to James Karinchak (8-for-9) this season, but both relievers have pitched well in high-leverage roles. Clase has a 0.91 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 32:13 K:BB across 29.2 innings. He's added three holds and a 3-2 record.

Brebbia (elbow) pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout in Sunday's 11-2 win over Philadelphia.

Now recovered from his June 2020 Tommy John surgery, Brebbia was able to make his San Francisco debut. He did well in the final inning of a blowout win. The right-hander last pitched in the majors in 2019, when he had a 3.59 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 87:27 K:BB and 12 holds across 72.2 innings with St. Louis. He'll likely be eased back into action with low-leverage assignments at first, but he could become a key piece of San Francisco's bullpen in the second half of the season.

Swanson (groin) will throw a bullpen session Monday and is likely headed to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma shortly thereafter, the Associated Press reports.

The 27-year-old was projected for an extended absence when first placed on the injured list May 29, and although he's still expected to be on the shelf into July, he appears to be making steady progress. If all goes well with Sunday's session, Swanson could potentially embark on his rehab assignment before the coming week is out.

Montero (5-2), who secured the victory in an extra-inning win over the Rays on Sunday with a perfect 10th frame, has recorded wins in consecutive games.

Montero also worked the 10th in Saturday's 6-5 win over Tampa Bay and turned in a perfect frame in that instance as well. The right-hander's two wins over the weekend series were a welcome sight, considering Montero had allowed a combined five earned runs in two of his previous three appearances. Montero still sports a bloated 5.29 ERA on the season, but the veteran's victories help make up for the fact he hasn't secured a save since May 29.

Robles pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save in Sunday's 4-2 win over Texas.

Robles picked up his first save since June 5 -- in his last six outings, he had three holds, two wins and a loss. He was called on for ninth-inning duties because Taylor Rogers had pitched on three of the last four days, though Robles also gets the initial save call sometimes as well as part of a timeshare. Robles is now 6-for-8 in save chances with 12 holds, a 2.84 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 34:19 K:BB across 32.2 innings this year.

Long (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Phillies.

Long made his first career start Sunday and turned in a strong performance to pick up a memorable victory. The only damage against him was a two-run blast by J.T. Realmuto in the third inning, but his offense provided plenty of run support. The 25-year-old rookie owns a 4.20 ERA and a 16:3 K:BB through 15 innings this season. Long could get another turn in the rotation next weekend at home against Oakland.

Smith recorded the save in the second game of a 1-0 doubleheader win against the Cardinals on Sunday, throwing a perfect seventh with two strikeouts.

Smith came in for the game's final inning and retired all three batters he faced to notch his 13th save of the season and protect a one-run lead. He's been a bit rocky thus far in 2021 with a 4.08 ERA, but a 3.03 FIP suggests better appearances lie ahead.

Iglesias (4-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk over 1.1 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking a loss against Detroit.

Iglesias worked through a perfect ninth inning but coughed up a two-run, go-ahead single in the 10th. The 6-foot-2 righty has given up a run in each of his last four outings, boosting his season ERA to 4.30 through 29.1 innings. It was his first loss since April 23 and he's blown just one of his last 11 save chances.

Fulmer allowed one walk and struck out three batters in a scoreless 10th inning Sunday, earning a save over the Angels.

Fulmer put runners on the corners after a two-out walk to Shohei Ohtani but escaped with the 5-3 lead intact and picked up his sixth save of the season. It was a strong bounce-back outing after he gave up two runs in a close save Wednesday. The 28-year-old righty is now 6-for-7 in save chances with a 3.55 ERA this season.