MLB Player News

Clase struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 34th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The right-hander fired 11 of 15 pitches for strikes and worked around an error that allowed Daulton Varsho to reach base with one out. Clase has been tagged for earned runs in only one of 15 appearances since the All-Star break, posting a 1.84 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 14.2 innings in the second half.

Fujinami (6-8) allowed a hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings to earn the win Friday over the Rockies.

Fujinami threw 16 of 23 pitches for strikes and became the pitcher of record when Baltimore went ahead in the bottom of the eighth inning. The right-hander has strung together three scoreless outings spanning four innings. He's been inconsistent since joining the Orioles, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) across 17 innings, though his 21:9 K:BB in that span shows his potential for success. Overall, the right-hander has a 7.60 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 72:39 K:BB over 66.1 innings between the Orioles and the Athletics this year, and he's added a save and four holds.

Coulombe struck out the only batter he faced to pick up the save in Friday's 5-4 win over Colorado.

Orioles' closer Felix Bautista was called upon to close the ninth, but with two outs and the count at 2-2 against pinch-hitter Michael Toglia, Bautista was forced from the game with right-arm discomfort. Coulombe replaced Bautista and the lefty needed just one pitch to complete the strikeout against the switch-hitter and finish out the game. If Bautista ends up missing an extended period, Yennier Cano appears to be first in line to pick up save opportunities, though Coulombe could be used if the matchup is right. He holds a 2.75 ERA with 19 holds, two saves and 49 strikeouts over 39.1 innings.

Munoz allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-5 win over the Royals.

Munoz blew a save versus the White Sox on Wednesday, but he was able to preserve a two-run lead this time around. He's allowed multiple baserunners in six of his last 10 appearances, posting an 11:7 K:BB while allowing seven runs (three earned) and 12 hits over 10 innings in that span. Despite the dramatic nature of those outings, he's converted five of his seven save chances and added a hold. Munoz is at a 2.70 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 50:18 K:BB with nine saves and 13 holds over 36.2 innings this season.

Pressly allowed four runs on four hits over two-thirds of an inning to take a blown save in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Tigers.

Pressly struck out the first two batters of the ninth inning as he looked to preserve a one-run lead. It wasn't meant to be however, as he gave up three consecutive singles, the third one being a broken-bat hit by Javier Baez which plated the tying run. Parker Meadows then launched a walk-off, three-run home run. Pressly finished July in a rut but had been unscored upon in his first seven appearances in August before this bump in the road.

Bautista is undergoing tests after exiting Friday's appearance against the Rockies due to right arm discomfort, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bautista was just one strike away from a save when he was lifted from the outing after delivering a 102.3 mph fastball. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde declined to go into more specifics when asked about the exact nature of the righty's injury, adding only that "when the best closer in the game leaves the game, it's never a good feeling." Yennier Cano would be the obvious choice to step in as Baltimore's closer should Bautista need to miss time. Danny Coulombe got a one-out save in relief of Bautista on Friday and could also be in the mix.

Bautista was removed from a save appearance versus the Rockies on Friday with an undisclosed injury, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista was one strike away from putting the game on ice but evidently tweaked something while delivering a 102.3 mph fastball to Michael Toglia. The closer was visited by the trainer before exiting the field, and he'll likely be sent for testing. Danny Coulombe then needed just one pitch to strike out Toglia and secure an Orioles win.

Brentz (elbow) is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a left lat strain while on his rehab assignment, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Brentz began a rehab assignment earlier this month while working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but now a new injury ends his season before it started. The left-hander should have a relatively normal offseason, but even if he begins 2024 on time he'll have gone nearly two years in between major-league appearances.

Maton (elbow) is beginning a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Sugar Land, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maton is expected to make only one appearance with Sugar Land before returning to the Astros' bullpen Sunday or Monday. The 30-year-old right-hander was sporting a 3.04 ERA and 58:21 K:BB through 53.1 innings of work when he landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 12 with a bruised elbow.

Houston recalled Blanco from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

Blanco had an extended run in the Astros' starting rotation earlier this summer, but he will work in long relief in his return to the major-league roster. Brandon Bielak was optioned out in a corresponding move.