MLB Player News

Slaten struck out one and walked none over a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold in Boston's 5-3 win over Tampa Bay in the second game of Friday's doubleheader.

Slaten held the lead for Aroldis Chapman to pick up the save. The former had a bumpy ride during the month of June (10.13 ERA) but appears to have stablized in July. Slaten earned a hold in his fourth consecutive appearance and remains a vital part of the setup crew along with Garrett Whitlock. Both relievers were considered potential closer fill-ins for Chapman when the Red Sox were projected to be sellers at the trade deadline, but Friday's doubleheader sweep of the Rays extended Boston's win streak to 11 straight and put them in a tie for the final wild-card spot.

Santillan (oblique) received a PRP injection July 9 and is undergoing further treatment, MLB.com reports.

The Reds are doing their most to speed up Santillan's healing process, although the report only estimates a return during the second half of the season. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list in late June with what manager Terry Francona described as a significant strain.

Yates (0-5) was tagged with the loss and a blown save in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers. He allowed two runs on a hit and a walk across two-thirds of an inning while also hitting a batter.

Yates entered the game in the top of the ninth looking for his fourth save of the season, but instead he got tagged with his third blown save and fifth loss. He had recorded two outs and had runners on first and second when Hao-Yu Lee unleashed a two-run double that ended up giving Detroit the victory. Yates has made five appearances in July but owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across four innings.

Ashcraft (elbow) is on a throwing program, which will have him throw from 105 feet beginning July 20 at the Reds' training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.

Ashcraft will eventually move out to 120 feet and possibly begin bullpen sessions Aug. 2. The right-hander landed on the 60-day injured list in late May and should return at some point during the month of August.

Scott struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 14th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Yankees.

The southpaw fired eight of 11 pitches for strikes and fanned Jazz Chisholm to preserve the victory. Scott has been scored upon in only one of his last 12 appearances dating back to June 11, converting eight of nine saves chances during that stretch while posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over 12 innings.

Saalfrank (shoulder) has begun a throwing program, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The throwing program began with Saalfrank tossing out to 60 feet. The left-hander underwent shoulder surgery ahead of spring training and is considered out for the season.

Estevez (shoulder) started a throwing program Friday, per MLB.com.

Estevez had been shut down since receiving an injection July 1 for a right rotator cuff strain. While it's a positive sign to see the veteran back throwing, the extent of his activity is unknown and figures to be limited, with the Royals expected to proceed cautiously given the series of setbacks the right-hander has faced since landing on the injured list April 1, originally due to a left foot contusion. An exact timeline remains unclear and will depend on how he responds to the throwing progression, but Estevez likely won't be ready to return to the big-league roster until later in August.

O'Brien allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning to pick up the save Friday against the Diamondbacks.

The 31-year-old produced an eighth straight scoreless appearance and is once again tied with Mason Miller atop the National League with 25 saves. During that scoreless stretch, O'Brien has surrendered just three hits and three walks while recording seven saves, though he hasn't been particularly dominant with seven strikeouts.

Wells earned the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Astros, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Wells continues to come through for the Orioles in the ninth with Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the injured list. The right-hander stranded two Astros baserunners, locking down his third save of the year. In 36 games, the 31-year-old now has a 2.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB in 45.2 innings this season.

King (2-3) was charged with his fourth blown save of the season and also took the loss after pitching one inning, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out one batter in Friday's matchup with Baltimore.

King entered the game in the eighth, tasked with maintaining Houston's slim 2-1 lead, but he allowed the eventual game-winning homer to Taylor Ward. In 41 games, the 29-year-old lefty has posted a 3.27 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:16 K:BB in 44 innings.