MLB Player News

Ramirez picked up the save Sunday against the Guardians. Michael Tonkin began the ninth inning with a three-run lead but gave up two runs. Ramirez replaced him to retire the final two batters for a save in his first appearance of the season.

Cole Sands was thought to be Minnesota's new closer after the top five options in the bullpen were traded Thursday, but it was Tonkin who was given the first opportunity. Despite the save, Ramirez isn't likely to be used to close games. However, Sunday's game may be a sign that manager Rocco Baldelli will use a committee approach at the end of games with no set closer.

Duran struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Tigers.

Duran has converted a save in each of his first two appearances for the Phillies after being traded from the Twins at the deadline. The right-hander had a bit of a bumpy July to close out his Minnesota tenure, allowing four runs on 14 hits and four walks over 12 innings last month. Duran's save quantity should take a step up now that he's pitching for a contender, and he's unlikely to be challenged for closing duties. He's maintained a 1.93 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 54:18 K:BB through 51.1 innings while converting 18 of 20 save chances this season.

Tonkin entered the ninth inning of Sunday's win at Cleveland in a save situation but couldn't hold a three-run lead. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning before being pulled for Erasmo Ramirez, who recorded the final two outs for the save.

Tonkin was given the team's first save chance after the Twins traded their top five relievers at the trade deadline, but he struggled and may have lost his shot to become the closer. Still, it looks like manager Rocco Baldelli may use a committee to close games the rest of the season, and Tonkin could still be part of the mix.

Cantillo (2-2) yielded four runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings Sunday, striking out nine and taking a loss against the Twins.

Cantillo rebounded from a nightmare first inning to turn in a respectable final line. He coughed up four runs in the first frame, capped off by a two-run single from Trevor Larnach. Cantillo did not allow another runner to reach scoring position for the rest of his outing. He generated 19 swinging strikes on 91 pitches, including 11 on 14 swings against his changeup. It was the first time this season he punched out more than seven batters in an outing. Cantillo now owns a 4.37 ERA with a 72:30 K:BB across 55.2 frames. He's in line for a road matchup against the White Sox next weekend.

Sands threw a scoreless eighth inning, allowing a walk while striking out two to earn his ninth hold Sunday against Cleveland.

Sands was thought to be the presumptive closer after the top five options were traded away at the deadline, but he was used in the eighth inning with the Twins having a three-run lead. Michael Tonkin was used to begin the ninth inning but struggled, and Erasmo Ramirez got the final two outs for the save. It's possible Sands was used in the eighth inning to face the heart of the order and is still thought of as the top option in the bullpen. However, after one game it looks like manager Rocco Baldelli may use a committee in save situations.

Dominguez (2-4) allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and a walk in Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Royals. He did not record an out.

Dominguez entered a 2-2 contest in the 10th inning and was immediately greeted with an RBI double by Kyle Isbel on the first pitch of the frame. Dominguez then hit Jonathan India, walked Bobby Witt on four pitches and had his outing come to an end after Tyler Tolbert's two-run single. It was Dominguez's fourth appearance as a Blue Jay after throwing 3.1 scoreless frames in his first three outings. His season ERA jumped up to 3.60 with a 58:25 K:BB through 45 innings.

The Orioles released Webb on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Webb will become a free agent after posting a 4.33 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 27 innings in 16 appearances with Triple-A Norfolk this season.

Atlanta optioned Waldrep to Triple-A Gwinnett after Sunday's 4-2 win over the Reds in the MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol, Tenn., Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports.

Waldrep was called up to serve as Atlanta's 27th man for the continuation the Speedway Classic, which was suspended in the first inning Saturday. He ended up serving as a de facto starter for Atlanta, covering 5.2 innings and earning the win while allowing an earned run on three hits and two walks. The outing was his first major-league appearance of the season, and he made a good impression for an Atlanta squad that has struggled to find healthy bodies for the rotation. The right-hander will return to Gwinnett, but he'll be a strong candidate to rejoin Atlanta to make a spot start or serve as a bulk reliever in Saturday's doubleheader with Miami.

Stephenson (biceps) threw a bullpen session featuring his full repertoire Saturday, MLB.com reports.

The side session was Stephenson's second in less than a week, but he incorporated his full arsenal Sunday after throwing only fastballs Wednesday. According to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, Stephenson is slated to throw three more bullpen sessions before he advances to facing hitters and then heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Given all the checkpoints he still needs to hit in his recovery process, Stephenson appears unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list until late August at the soonest.

Akin (3-1) took the loss in Sunday's 5-3 contest against the Cubs, yielding two runs (one earned) on one hit while failing to retire a batter.

The Orioles southpaw entered the game with the score knotted at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth. After Dansby Swanson reached on a throwing error, veteran Justin Turner cracked a walk-off, pinch-hit long ball on the first pitch he saw. Akin converted a save Saturday to stake a claim as Baltimore's go-to closer while Felix Bautista (shoulder) is out of action, but this performance could add uncertainty to his control over that position. He has pitched to a solid 3.38 ERA and 9.0 K/9 in 40 total innings and remains in a battle with Corbin Martin and Yennier Cano for the closer role.