MLB Player News
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Thomas Hatch RP | MIN
Twins' Thomas Hatch: Back in bullpen after spot start
Hatch made his most recent appearance in long relief during Saturday's 7-3 loss to the White Sox, striking out five over five innings while allowing three hits and no walks.
After tossing five innings of one-run ball in a winning effort over the Tigers in his first start of the season back on Aug. 17, Hatch shifted back to the bullpen last weekend while the Twins added a pair of trade-deadline pickups -- Mick Abel and Taj Bradley -- into the rotation. With Abel getting tagged for six runs over three innings Saturday in his team debut, Hatch effectively piggybacked him in the outing, even though that wasn't necessarily the Twins' plan heading into the day. Abel nor Bradley aren't guaranteed second turns through the rotation, but in spite of his strong performance Saturday, Hatch could end up sticking in the bullpen moving forward. The Twins will get another starter in Simeon Woods Richardson (illness) back from the injured list to start Wednesday's game in Toronto, and Pablo Lopez (shoulder) could be ready to come off the IL next week to further bolster the rotation.
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Pierson Ohl RP | MIN
Twins' Pierson Ohl: Dispatched to minors
The Twins optioned Ohl to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Ohl is clearing out to make room on the active roster for Simeon Woods Richardson (illness), who was activated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game versus the Blue Jays. The right-handed Ohl has collected a 5.66 ERA and 16:5 K:BB over 20.2 innings covering three starts and four relief appearances for the Twins.
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Jacob Latz RP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Drawing start versus Angels
Latz has been named the Rangers' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Angels in Arlington.
With Nathan Eovaldi (shoulder) set to go on the injured list with a likely season-ending rotator cuff strain, Latz will get the first chance to replace him in the rotation. Latz has previously made three starts among his 26 appearances for the Rangers, but he most recently worked out of the bullpen in an outing against the Royals on Aug. 20, when he struck out four over 3.1 scoreless innings. Latz should be able to build on the 43-pitch workload he handled in that contest, but the Rangers may not keep him in Wednesday's game long enough to qualify for a win.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Earns 35th save
Estevez earned the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the White Sox, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
The Royals rallied to combine for five runs in the eighth and ninth inning to take the lead over the White Sox, and Estevez closed the door with ease. He has not allowed a baserunner in each of his last six appearances and has now converted 10 consecutive save chances. Estevez is tied atop baseball with 35 saves and owns a 2.62 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 50:20 K:BB in 58.1 innings.
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Cade Smith RP | CLE
Guardians' Cade Smith: Notches eighth save
Smith gave up one hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his eighth save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Rays.
The right-hander has had a bumpy transition to closing, getting tagged for at least one run in three straight appearances prior to Tuesday, but the Guardians are committed to giving him a full audition over the rest of the season. Through 13.2 innings since Emmanuel Clase (personal) made his last appearance July 26, Smith has converted five of eight save chances while posting a 3.29 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB.
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Troy Melton RP | DET
Tigers' Troy Melton: Continues to shine in bullpen
Melton tossed three scoreless innings of relief in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Athletics. He allowed a hit and struck out one.
Melton has been a positive addition to the Detroit bullpen as a rookie. Across five appearances and 10.2 innings, he's posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. Melton has also made three starts for the Tigers. His first one was a struggle, as he allowed six runs over five innings, but the 24-year-old allowed no runs across 12 innings in his other two starts. While the long-relief role decreases his fantasy value, Melton has become a valuable pitcher for Detroit, and he'd get a boost if he were to reenter the rotation at some point.
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Will Vest RP | DET
Tigers' Will Vest: Takes blown save, loss
Vest (6-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks over one-third of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save versus the Athletics on Tuesday.
Vest couldn't find the strike zone, throwing just nine of 23 pitches for strikes. It was just the fourth time all year he's walked multiple batters in an appearance. Vest has allowed six runs (five earned) over 11.1 innings in August, converting three of his five save chances. With Kyle Finnegan yet to allow a run since being acquired from the Nationals, Vest can't afford to have too many shaky outings. Vest is 19-for-25 in save chances while adding three holds with a 2.81 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB through 57.2 innings this season.
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Osvaldo Bido RP | ATH
Athletics' Osvaldo Bido: Poor showing as starter Tuesday
Bido allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over three innings in a no-decision versus the Tigers on Tuesday.
Bido had posted a 3.18 ERA over 17 innings as a reliever since his July 10 call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas. He didn't fare as well as a starter, giving up a grand slam to Riley Greene in the third inning, though the Athletics were able to quickly reclaim the lead in their half of the frame. Bido threw 44 of 66 pitches for strikes in this outing. For the season, he's at a 5.66 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 54:27 K:BB through 68.1 innings over 20 appearances (10 starts). He's projected to make his next start at St. Louis and could stick in the rotation as the Athletics navigate the absences of Jack Perkins (shoulder), Jacob Lopez (elbow) and Luis Severino (oblique).