MLB Player News

DeSclafani (1-1) allowed two walks and struck out three over four scoreless and hitless innings to earn the win over Pittsburgh on Friday.

Three Diamondback pitchers combined to limit the Pirates to one hit over 11 innings in a 1-0 victory. DeSclafani was the middleman, throwing scoreless frames from the seventh through 10th innings before Kevin Ginkel closed it out. DeSclafani has worked as a multi-inning reliever and pitched at least two innings in his seven relief appearances.

Wentz (2-2) took the loss Friday against the Rangers, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

Wentz set a season high in strikeouts, and he also managed to throw a season-high 81 pitches. The 27-year-old left-hander appears close to being fully stretched out to take on a starter's workload, which should enhance his streaming appeal in deeper leagues when he's set for a favorable matchup. Wentz owns a 5.56 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 42:23 K:BB across 45.1 frames, and he's next tentatively lined up to face a Royals team with an .888 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the start of July.

The Rangers released Jackson on Friday.

Jackson was DFA'd by Texas on Wednesday and wasn't claimed off waivers. He's now free to seek an opportunity elsewhere. Jackson was an impactful fantasy asset early this season when he saved eight games over the first month of the campaign, but he eventually lost the closer role in Texas and struggled in his final seven outings with the club, allowing seven runs (six earned) over 7.2 innings.

Helsley was awarded the save Friday against the Padres, allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Called upon to protect a three-run lead, Helsley worked around a single to notch his 21st save of the season and second in as many nights. While the 31-year-old has had some hiccups this year, converting 21 of 26 save opportunities, he's been sharp recently, giving up just one earned run across his last 10 appearances, as the Cardinals continue to lean on him in high-leverage spots.

The Yankees optioned Effross to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Effross was optioned after struggling in Friday's loss to Philadelphia, giving up four runs on four hits with one walk and no strikeouts over one inning. The outing continued a rough start to the second half for the right-hander, who has surrendered eight runs across 4.2 frames since the All-Star break. New York figures to bring up a fresh arm to replace Effross in the bullpen, but that move has not yet been made.

Duran logged a save during the Twins' 1-0 win over the Nationals on Friday after striking out one batter in a perfect ninth.

Duran was brought in to protect the Twins' slim lead and needed just six pitches (five strikes) to dismiss the heart of the Nationals' order, highlighted by his strikeout of James Wood. It was a nice bounceback performance for Duran, who yielded two runs on three hits across two innings in his last outing against the Dodgers on Tuesday. He has a 1.90 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 52:16 K:BB across 47.1 innings this season.

Halvorsen threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-5 win over the Orioles. He did not record a strikeout.

Halvorsen was asked to preserve a one-run lead in the ninth and did so on only 11 pitches. While a five-run blowup against the Red Sox on July 9 still lingers, the 25-year-old has converted five straight save chances and posted seven scoreless outings in nine appearances since last blowing a save June 19. For the year, he's 10-for-13 in save opportunities with a 4.89 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 35:18 K:BB across 38.2 innings.

Ginkel tossed a perfect 11th inning to earn the save in Friday's 1-0 extra-innings win over the Pirates. He did not record a strikeout.

Ginkel was called upon to protect a one-run lead and needed only six pitches to retire the heart of the Pirates' order. The 31-year-old has allowed just two earned runs in eight July appearances, closing out two games in that span. He owns an ugly 7.66 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB across 24.2 innings but should continue to see save chances with Shelby Miller (forearm) on the injured list.

Mears "wrenched" his back while warming up Friday and is getting imaging, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

The back injury may explain why Mears struggled in his relief outing Friday, as he gave up three runs (two earned) on one hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning versus Miami. Though he decided to take the mound after hurting his back, the Brewers are concerned enough about the issue to send him in for testing. Mears has been one of the team's top setup men this season, notching 13 holds while posting a 2.95 ERA with a 34:7 K:BB over 39 innings spanning 44 appearances.

Sborz (shoulder) had his minor-league rehab assignment transferred from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Sborz is three games into his rehab stint, which began with a one-game cameo with Round Rock before he moved to Frisco for two contests. Altogether, he's tossed 3.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits and compiling a 4:3 K:BB. Sborz underwent right shoulder surgery last November and could make his season debut with Texas before the end of July.