MLB Player News

Sousa struck out one in a perfect 10th inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Angels.

Josh Hader worked the ninth to keep the game tied at 2-2, and with Bryan Abreu having handled the eighth, Sousa got the call to close things out after Houston grabbed the lead in the top of the 10th. The southpaw's first save came in a nearly identical scenario, as he wrapped up a 10-inning win over the Guardians on June 7 after Hader got the ninth. Sousa hasn't allowed a run in June, posting a 0.31 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB in 9.2 innings, and he appears to be working his way onto the fringes of the high-leverage picture for the Astros.

Gipson-Long is slated to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Brant Hurter in Saturday's game against the Rays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Gipson-Long remains part of the Detroit rotation but will be working out of the bullpen for his third straight appearance. After giving up three earned runs over 3.2 innings against the White Sox on June 4 in his lone start for the Tigers following his return from the 60-day injured list, Gipson-Long has posted a 2.35 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB in 7.2 innings over his last two outings.

Hurter will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Rays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Hurter will draw his fourth start of the season, but as was the case in the previous three outings, he'll be operating as an opener once again Saturday rather than a traditional starter. The southpaw tossed 23 pitches in his most recent relief appearance Thursday against the Pirates, so the Tigers are unlikely to ask him to cover more than 2-to-3 frames Saturday. Once Hurter exits the game, right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long is expected to work in bulk relief.

Manager Terry Francona said that Suter will serve as the Reds' opening pitcher in a bullpen game Saturday against the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Suter is stepping into the rotation spot vacated by left-hander Wade Miley (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday. The 35-year-old Suter has previously opened two games for the Reds, but since he'll be taking the hill on one day's rest and has maxed out at 3.2 innings and 63 pitches over his 23 appearances on the season, he's unlikely to stay in the game for more than one turn through the batting order. The Reds are expected to call up right-hander Chase Petty from Triple-A Louisville prior to Saturday's game, and he could be tasked with covering multiple innings in relief once Suter exits the contest.

Alexander (4-7) was the pitcher of record in Friday's 7-1 win over the Blue Jays after striking out two batters while giving up four hits and no walks in four innings of relief.

Davis Martin had initially been scheduled to start Friday, but he was instead placed on the injured list prior to the game due to a right forearm strain. As a result, the White Sox had right-hander Grant Taylor step in for a spot start, though he covered just one inning before turning the game over to Alexander. The veteran lefty delivered a quality performance in the extended relief outing, retiring 12 of the 14 batters he faced on 49 pitches. The White Sox will have an opening in the rotation the next time Martin's turn comes up Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks, and Alexander might have performed well enough Friday to serve as a starter or primary pitcher in that outing over Mike Vasil, who was roughed up for six runs in 3.2 innings against the Cardinals on Thursday.

Bautista struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to come away with the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Yankees.

Bautista needed 17 pitches (11 strikes) to convert the save opportunity, forcing a flyout from Trent Grisham before striking out Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm. Bautista has converted on each of his last nine save opportunities, and over that span he sports a 0.82 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB across 11 innings. His 16 saves are tied with Emmanuel Clase and Trevor Megill for eighth most in the majors this season.

Weaver (1-2) took the loss against the Orioles on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter in two-thirds of an inning.

Weaver was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Friday's game. He was brought in for the eighth inning with the game tied at 3-3, but things quickly got out of hand as he gave up a solo home run to Ramon Urias before being tagged for another run later in the frame. It was a less-than-ideal return for Weaver, given that he was deployed in a high-leverage situation and is expected to split closing duties with Devin Williams.

Chapman struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Chapman has been perfect over his last five outings, striking out eight over 4.2 innings while earning three saves and a hold in that span. He's given up just one unearned run with a 14:1 K:BB across nine innings in June. For the season, the closer is 14-for-15 in save chances with a 1.41 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 45:9 K:BB across 32 innings. He's added two holds and a 3-2 record.

Birdsong allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Red Sox on Friday.

Birdsong ran into trouble in the third inning and also was scored on in the fourth and fifth frames. The Giants tied the game in the bottom of the fifth to spare him from staying on the hook for the loss, but it was another mediocre outing for Birdsong. The right-hander hadn't pitched since June 12 -- no reason was provided for the extended gap between starts, though the Giants' rotation has been in flux between the trade that sent Kyle Harrison to Boston and Justin Verlander's recent return from a pectoral injury. Birdsong has failed to complete five innings in three of his last five outings and now has a 3.25 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 55:20 K:BB through 52.2 innings over 17 appearances (six starts) this season. He's tentatively projected to make his next start at home in a favorable matchup versus the Marlins.

Scott allowed a run on one hit over one inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-5 win over the Nationals.

Scott had to face the top of the Nationals' order and gave up a solo home run to CJ Abrams, but he was able to preserve the lead after that. This was the first earned run Scott had given up since June 2 versus the Mets, and it was the first time he's allowed a baserunner since June 9 in San Diego. The left-handed reliever is up to 15 saves this year while adding seven holds and five blown saves. He's maintained a 3.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 40:4 K:BB over 35.2 innings as the head of the Dodgers' closing committee.