MLB Player News
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Tyler Holton RP | DET
Tigers' Tyler Holton: Earns win in relief
Holton (4-3) tossed 2.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Friday's 2-1 victory over the Guardians. He allowed one hit and struck out four.
After starter Reese Olson (finger) logged 4.1 innings in his return from the injured list following about six weeks on the shelf, Holton stepped in and provided valuable relief. The lefty has had a few rough outings this season, but he's now made five straight scoreless appearances (7.2 innings) and has lowered his ERA to a solid 3.86 overall. The 29-year-old has also contributed eight holds to go along with his four wins. Holton is one of Detroit's top bullpen arms with a flexible role, giving him some fantasy value in deeper formats.
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Jack Perkins RP | ATH
Athletics' Jack Perkins: Secures another three-inning save
Perkins allowed two runs on three hits and struck out five without walking a batter over three innings to earn the save in Friday's 11-2 win over the Giants.
Perkins was scored upon for the first time in his major-league career when he gave up a solo home run to Brett Wisely in the eighth inning. He's maintained a starter's schedule despite pitching out of the bullpen in all three of his appearances with the Athletics, allowing just two runs on five hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts so far. He's also earned a pair of saves, but he's not in contention for closing duties while serving as a multi-inning reliever. There's no path to a starting role just yet, but Perkins has made an excellent first impression and will be a candidate to make starts if a rotation spot opens up.
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Ben Casparius P | LAD
Dodgers' Ben Casparius: Hit hard in loss
Casparius (6-3) allowed six runs on nine hits and struck out three over three innings to take the loss versus the Astros on Friday.
Casparius had made his last two appearances as a bulk reliever behind Shohei Ohtani. His return to a starting role didn't go any better than his last turn out of the bullpen, as the Astros tagged Casparius for three home runs. He's now yielded seven long balls on the year while adding a 4.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 57:12 K:BB across 59.2 innings through 26 appearances (three starts). Casparius continues to provide multi-inning abilities for the Dodgers as they put together a patchwork solution for their rotation. With Tyler Glasnow (shoulder) nearing a return and Emmet Sheehan expected to be called up to pitch Sunday, it seems like Casparius is on borrowed time to stay in the rotation.
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Kody Funderburk RP | MIN
Twins' Kody Funderburk: Headed to Triple-A
Funderburk is expected to be optioned to Triple-A before Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, MLB.com reports.
Funderburk threw a scoreless inning in Thursday's loss at Miami, his only appearance since he was called up Wednesday. He'll likely continue to shuffle between Triple-A and the majors when the Twins need an extra lefty in the bullpen.
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Anthony DeSclafani RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Anthony DeSclafani: Getting start Sunday
DeSclafani will start Sunday's game against the Royals at Chase Field, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
The 35-year-old righty has made four appearances out of the bullpen since joining Arizona in mid-June, but he'll make his first start of the season Sunday. During his time in the bullpen, DeSclafani logged a 4.82 ERA through 9.1 innings, but he could be in position for a bounce-back outing against a Kansas City offense that owns a .666 OPS on the season (26th in MLB). Though he's worked three innings or fewer out of the Arizona bullpen, DeSclafani should be able to provide a little bit of length beyond that Sunday after tossing six innings in his final start at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees organization on June 10 prior to being granted his release from his minor-league deal.
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Travis Adams RP | MIN
Twins' Travis Adams: Expected to pitch Saturday
The Twins plan to recall Adams from Triple-A St. Paul to serve as a starter, a bulk reliever behind an opener, or as a reliever in a bullpen game Saturday versus the Rays, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.
The Twins have an open spot in their rotation after Bailey Ober (hip) was placed on the injured list Wednesday, and Adams looks like he'll get the first chance to fill the void. Adams has started in five of his 19 appearances with St. Paul this season, logging a 3.68 ERA with a 21.8 percent strikeout rate and 7.5 percent walk rate. Adams most recently covered 2.2 innings for St. Paul on Tuesday, and because he'll be pitching Saturday on three days' rest, the Twins may be more inclined to use him out of the bullpen rather than as a traditional starter.
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Joel Kuhnel RP | MIL
Yankees' Joel Kuhnel: Signs with Pinstripes
Kuhnel signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Friday.
Kuhnel didn't have to wait long to find his next gig after being released by the Phillies on Thursday. The 30-year-old reliever turned in a 3.62 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 32.1 frames at Lehigh Valley and will remain an organizational depth piece upon joining his new club.
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Phil Bickford RP | DET
Phil Bickford: Cut by Cubs
The Cubs released Bickford on Wednesday.
Bickford has spent all season with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate in Iowa, logging a strong 2.43 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 37 strikeouts over 29.2 innings. The 29-year-old's impressive performance should be enough to draw attention from other clubs, and continued success could buy him another shot in the big leagues.
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Blake Treinen RP | LAD
Dodgers' Blake Treinen: Could be close to rehab stint
Treinen (forearm) is scheduled to throw to hitters Saturday, and his following step could be a minor-league rehab assignment, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
Treinen first threw to live hitters Wednesday and is lined up to throw one simulated inning Saturday. If all goes well in that session, his next appearance on the mound could take place in a minor-league game. Treinen hasn't pitched in a contest since April 13, so he'll presumably need to make multiple rehab outings before he's ready to return to the Dodgers' bullpen.
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Will Vest RP | DET
Tigers' Will Vest: Nabs four-out save
Vest picked up a four-out save, allowing one hit and one walk while also picking up a strikeout, during Friday's 2-1 win over the Guardians.
Vest worked more than an inning for the first time in his past nine appearances. The 30-year-old put out a fire in the bottom of the eighth, then worked around allowing a baserunner in the ninth on his way to his 14th save in 17 tries this year. The right-hander picked up at least one strikeout in his ninth straight outing for a total of 12 in his last 8.2 innings. Vest hasn't surrendered a run in five straight appearances, and his ERA is now at 2.25 for the season.