MLB Player News
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Bryan Baker RP | TB
Rays' Bryan Baker: Dealt to Tampa Bay
The Rays acquired Baker from the Orioles on Thursday in exchange for the No. 37 overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Baker has been a dependable setup man for the Orioles this season, notching three holds, 11 holds and two saves while accruing a 3.52 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 49:9 K:BB in 38.1 innings. With Pete Fairbanks maintaining good health and excelling as the Rays' closer so far this season, Baker's path to saves isn't likely to get any clearer as he moves on to a new AL East locale, but he should be a key part of the bridge to the ninth inning in Tampa Bay.
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Austin Warren RP | NYM
Mets' Austin Warren: Serving as 27th man
The Mets recalled Warren from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.
Warren will be the 27th man on the roster for the Mets in Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles. The righty reliever has allowed one run in five frames for the Mets this season and has collected a 3.82 ERA and 38:12 K:BB over 30.2 innings with Syracuse.
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Javier Assad RP | CHC
Cubs' Javier Assad: Slowly ramping up rehab
Assad (oblique) has been completing bullpen sessions as part of his rehab work but has yet to throw live batting practice, which the team says is his next step, MLB.com reports.
Assad, who suffered a left oblique strain during spring training and then aggravated the injury during a rehab start in late April, has yet to throw a pitch for the Cubs this season. The righty is still targeting an August return, but after missing such a significant chunk of time, it wouldn't be surprising to see him eased into action via a long-relief role. Assad worked exclusively out of the rotation last year, compiling a 3.73 ERA in 29 starts (147 innings) for the Cubs. In 2023, he served as a valuable swing man and posted a 3.05 ERA across 109.1 innings while making 10 starts and 22 relief appearances.
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Mitch Spence SP | KC
Athletics' Mitch Spence: Lit up by Atlanta in loss
Spence (2-5) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing eight runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.
Spence's outing began in ominous fashion, as Ronald Acuna led off the contest with a solo home run against him. That set the tone for a disastrous outing by the right-hander, as he surrendered a career-worst five homers and eight earned runs. To his credit, Spence was at least able to preserve the Athletics' bullpen a bit by tossing six frames, but this was a continuation of a recent poor stretch for the 27-year-old. Spence has lost each of his past four starts, posting a 7.84 ERA and 1.60 WHIP while giving up nine long balls over that span.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Angels' Kenley Jansen: Notches first save in three weeks
Jansen earned a save against the Rangers on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.
After the Angels rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take an 11-8 lead, Jansen was summoned to close things out in the ninth. He gave up a one-out double but nothing more to nail down his first save since June 18. The save drought wasn't really of Jansen's doing -- he blew just one save during that span and hasn't given up an earned run in any of his past 10 appearances, notching a 13:2 K:BB over 10 innings during that stretch. The veteran closer has been effective in his first season as an Angel, converting 16 of 17 save chances while posting a 3.48 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 33.2 innings spanning 37 appearances.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Nabs 25th save
Estevez picked up the save Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout over a scoreless ninth inning.
Estevez hit the 25-save milestone for a third consecutive season, and he became the third closer in MLB to reach the threshold in 2025. The 32-year-old's ERA is down to 2.03 across 40 innings, and he owns a 33:14 K:BB on the year.
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Paul Sewald RP | ARI
Guardians' Paul Sewald: Claims second save Wednesday
Sewald picked up the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Houston, tossing a clean ninth inning. He struck out one.
Closer Emmanuel Clase had worked each of the past three days for Cleveland, so he earned a well-deserved rest Wednesday. His unavailability paved the way for Sewald to claim his second save of the season as he looks to settle in as a high-leverage arm for the Guardians. Through his first 14.2 frames, the veteran right-hander owns a 4.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB with four holds.
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Phil Bickford RP | DET
Phillies' Phil Bickford: Lands with Phillies
Bickford signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Wednesday.
After being released by the Cubs last Wednesday, Bickford will now give some depth to the Phillies' farm system. The 29-year-old righty is off to a great start in the minors this year with a 2.43 ERA and 0.72 WHIP, and if he continues to impress with his new organization, he could earn a spot in Philadelphia's bullpen.
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Ryan Brasier RP | TEX
Cubs' Ryan Brasier: Continues impressive streak
Brasier, who tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in Wednesday's loss to the Twins, has now logged 11 straight scoreless appearances dating back to early June.
In 17 appearances overall this season, Brasier has only been scored on twice, and he's now sitting with a stellar 1.10 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. The veteran righty didn't make his season debut until May 24 due to a strained left groin sustained in spring training, but he's been an effective relief option when healthy. He has no wins or saves and has only recorded one hold, so his fantasy value is capped, though Brasier could have some appeal in deeper leagues due to his strong ratios.