MLB Player News

Fluharty struck out one without allowing a baserunner over two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers.

Fluharty was stuck into one of the most fearsome situations after an unusually ineffective performance by Jeff Hoffman, who walked five batters Sunday. Fluharty inherited the bases loaded with one out, and he got Shohei Ohtani to strike out before inducing a grounder from Mookie Betts that was enough to end the game. Fluharty is now at a 5.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB through 43.2 innings while collecting a save and four holds. He's mostly served in a low-leverage role this year -- he was called upon for this save chance only because he was one of two relievers left in the bullpen after the Blue Jays had to empty the tank due to Eric Lauer's poor start.

Hoffman (7-4) walked five batters without allowing a hit or recording a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning, taking a blown save and picking up the win Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Hoffman allowed an inherited runner to score the tying run after being brought in with two outs in the eighth inning. Ernie Clement restored the lead for the Blue Jays with a solo home run in the ninth, and Hoffman stayed in the game but struggled again. He may have been rusty after not pitching since Aug. 3, ultimately throwing just 10 of 33 pitches for strikes, but Mason Fluharty was able to work out of the jam to make the lead stick. Hoffman is now 26-for-31 on converting saves this season while posting an uninspiring 4.50 ERA along with a 1.13 WHIP and 64:16 K:BB over 48 innings. He doesn't appear to be at risk of losing the closing job as long as Sunday's poor outing is an isolated incident.

Alexander (3-1) earned the win Sunday over the Yankees, allowing one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Alexander has been stellar of late, turning in back-to-back scoreless outings while allowing just four hits over 12 innings in that span. Overall, the 32-year-old right-hander sports a 5.02 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP and 29:18 K:BB across 37.2 innings between the Astros and A's this season. Despite his recent stretch, Alexander could soon be relegated to a bullpen role with Cristian Javier (elbow) slated to rejoin the rotation Monday.

Lauer allowed three runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four over three innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Sunday.

Lauer didn't have much command, throwing just 42 of 71 pitches for strikes. He served up solo home runs to Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in the first inning and walked in a run in the third before his exit. Prior to Sunday, Lauer had pitched pretty well, posting a 2.57 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 34:4 K:BB over his previous six outings. His struggles in this start can be chalked up to a tough opponent -- he's earned the benefit of the doubt. On the year, Lauer has a 2.82 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 83:22 K:BB through 83 innings over 19 appearances (13 starts). The left-hander is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rangers.

Akin (3-2) took the loss and a blown save in Sunday's 3-2 defeat to the A's. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two in the ninth inning.

Akin had converted his previous two save chances, allowing just one earned run over four innings in the absence of Felix Bautista (shoulder). Overall, the southpaw Akin sports a 3.56 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB across 43 innings. Despite the hiccup Sunday, Akin should remain Baltimore's primary ninth-inning option for the time being.

Torres went 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Angels.

Torres has been a bit sluggish in August with a .226 batting average across nine games, but this was his third time this month reaching base at least twice, and he remains an effective No. 2 hitter in a strong Detroit lineup. For the season, the infielder is slashing .271/.371/.421 with 13 home runs, 57 RBI and 61 runs scored in 105 games.

Greene went 2-for-5 with a home run, an additional run scored and three RBI in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Angels.

It's mostly been a struggle for Greene after the All-Star break, but he's been a bit better lately, as he's gone 5-for-18 over his last five games. Sunday's home run was also his second in his last 10 games, and he now has a team-leading 27 long balls for the season. Greene seems to be turning a corner, and his overall stat line suggests a strong finish to the year could be on tap.

Povich did not factor into the decision Sunday against the A's, allowing a run on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.

Povich was sharp in his second start since rejoining the Orioles rotation earlier this month. The left-hander held the A's scoreless through five innings before allowing a lone run in the sixth, though he managed to make it through the frame to pick up just his second quality start in 15 outings this season. Overall, Povich sports a 4.95 ERA through 76.1 innings with a 1.43 WHIP and 80:27 K:BB. He figures to remain in Baltimore's rotation while Zach Eflin (back), Kyle Bradish (elbow) and Tyler Wells (elbow) are sidelined -- Povich is currently lined up to face the Astros on the road his next time out.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two total runs scored and four RBI in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Angels.

Carpenter has been on a tear in August, as he's batting .320 with four home runs and 10 RBI across nine games this month. Overall, the slugging outfielder is batting .269 with an .843 OPS and 21 long balls in 90 games this season. Carpenter should be able to keep posting big stat lines batting in the heart of a potent Detroit lineup, particularly against right-handed pitching.

Bergert did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Twins, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.

Bergert was impressive Sunday, as he matched a career high with eight strikeouts while holding the Twins to two runs on a Ryan Fitzgerald homer in the third inning. The rookie right-hander hasn't provided much length this season (his 5.2 innings pitched matched a season high), though he's been effective overall, holding opponents to two runs or fewer runs in seven of his nine starts. Bergert's ERA sits at 2.87 this season with a 1.09 WHIP and 44:21 K:BB across 47 innings between Kansas City and San Diego. He figures to remain in the Royals rotation until Michael Lorenzen (oblique) is able to return though that could happen as soon as this week.