MLB Player News

Hicks struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Monday's 13-6 win over the Reds.

Hicks made his debut for the Red Sox after being acquired from San Francisco in the Rafael Devers trade and brought 100-mph heat to the table. Although Hicks entered with Boston ahead by four runs, manager Alex Cora told Christopher Smith of MassLive.com that the plan calls for the newly acquired reliever to pitch in high-leverage spots.

Miller struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Monday's 4-2 win over the Giants.

Miller has blown two of his last five save chances, allowing three runs over 5.2 innings in that span. However, he continues to rack up strikeouts while limiting walks -- he's punched out 10 batters without issuing a walk during that recent stretch, which hasn't even been his best pitching. The 34-year-old right-hander is now at a 2.10 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 39:11 K:BB while adding 10 saves, eight holds and five blown saves over 34.1 innings this year.

Nelson allowed two runs on five hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over 6.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Monday.

Nelson was cruising until he put two runners aboard in the seventh inning, both of which came around to score when Juan Morillo allowed a two-run double to Tyler Fitzgerald. That cost Nelson a chance at the win, but this was still another impressive start. He has allowed just five runs (four earned) over 22.1 innings while adding a 21:6 K:BB across his last four starts, so it's a bit unlucky he's come away with just two wins in that span. On the year, Nelson has a 3.61 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 59:21 K:BB through 67.1 innings over 18 appearances (eight starts). His next start is projected to be at home versus the Royals this weekend.

Miller picked up the save Monday, allowing just one hit while striking out one over an inning against the Rays.

Miller needed just eight pitches, six of them strikes, to finish off the Rays and earn his 16th save of the season. The 26-year-old's 4.70 ERA isn't pretty, but the closer's strikeout numbers remain among the best of the game. After picking up his 50th strikeout of the season Monday, his K/9 is up to 14.7, the third-best mark in MLB amongst relievers with at least 30 innings pitched.

Manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Cruz (oblique) has a "high grade" strain, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

"Obviously, that will be some time," Boone added. Cruz was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday after he was injured in the weight room Sunday. Cruz is likely looking at an extended absence. The 35-year-old holds a 3.00 ERA and impressive 54:14 K:BB across 33 innings of relief this season.

Hoffman earned the save in Monday's 5-4 victory over the Yankees, allowing one hit and no walks over a scoreless inning with one strikeout.

Hoffman worked around a two-out Jasson Dominguez single to notch his sixth June save. The Toronto closer wrapped the month with an impressive 1.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 10 frames after entering June with a dreadful 6.04 ERA in 25.1 innings. Hoffman has certainly rediscovered his All-Star form and is cemented as the Blue Jays closer.

The Red Sox optioned Kelly (oblique) to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Kelly was pulled from his relief appearance in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays due to right oblique tightness, and though he had been expected to move to the injured list, the Red Sox have instead deactivated him by sending him to the minors. While Kelly is still likely to miss some time as a result of the injury, the Red Sox's decision to option him could imply that the right-hander isn't expected to miss the full 15 days. Boston reinstated right-hander Jordan Hicks (toe) from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Yankees selected Hartlieb's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Hartlieb earned the promotion after collecting a 3.34 ERA and 38:10 K:BB over 35 innings with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The veteran reliever is likely to work in low-leverage spots.

The Yankees placed Cruz on the 15-day injured list Monday with a left oblique strain.

Cruz injured his oblique while warming up with a medicine ball in the weight room Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. He'll undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the strain. Geoff Hartlieb was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Cruz's spot in the bullpen.

The Reds recalled La Sorsa from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

He's absorbing the roster spot vacated by Ian Gibaut (shoulder), who has landed on the 15-day injured list. La Sorsa has made two appearances for the Reds this season, getting dinged for four runs.