MLB Player News

The Rays selected Lopez's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lopez will join the bullpen, likely in a multi-inning role, after registering a sharp 2.67 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 110:41 K:BB through 84.1 frames (19 starts, two relief appearances) this season between Triple-A and Double-A Montgomery. The 25-year-old left-hander was a 26th-round pick of the Giants in the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.

Brentz (elbow) is expected tobegin a rehab assignment Wednesday with Kansas City's rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

Brentz has been out of action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2022, but he has made good progress in his recovery and is nearly ready for the final phase of his rehab program. If all continues going as planned, chances are he will return from the 60-day injured list and get a look out of the big-league bullpen before the 2023 campaign comes to a close.

Tarnok (undisclosed) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Tarnok appeared set to make another start for Oakland, but he will instead spend at least a couple weeks on the injured list. It's unclear what is ailing him, so a precise target date for his return is uncertain.

Thornton (0-1) took the extra-inning loss against the Orioles on Sunday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits over one inning. He struck out one.

Thornton's outing was actually better than his final line would indicate, as his one major mistake was a four-seam fastball that Cedric Mullins deposited in the right-field bleachers with Gunnar Henderson aboard for what would prove to be the game-winning homer. Thornton owned a solid 2.53 ERA and 9.3 K/9 across 10.2 innings between his time with the Blue Jays and Mariners coming into Sunday, so he's largely been a trustworthy bullpen option. It's worth noting his appearance in such a high-leverage spot was atypical and the byproduct of Justin Topa, Matt Brash and Andres Munoz all having already worked an inning apiece earlier in the game.

Holmes (4-3) took the loss against the Marlins on Sunday, allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out one batter in one-third of an inning.

Holmes had been on a post-All-Star-break tear coming into Sunday, collecting eight saves in nine chances and allowing just two runs while posting an 18:3 K:BB over 15.2 frames. Yankees manager Aaron Boone thus turned to him in the ninth inning while holding a four-run lead, but things didn't go as planned. Holmes allowed a single, double, triple and walk in the frame and also contributed to his own demise with a throwing error. Luis Arraez's two-run three-bagger tied the score and resulted in Holmes getting the hook, and the righty hurler took the loss when Arraez crossed the plate after his departure. Holmes should still have a firm grasp on the closer role considering his recent run of success, but Sunday's blowup increased his season ERA from 2.01 to 2.80.

Snead (1-1) took the loss against the Nationals on Sunday, allowing an unearned run on a hit and a walk without recording an out.

Snead was called on to put out the fire after Trevor May was bounced around for five runs (three earned) over two-thirds of an inning, but the left-handed Snead wasn't up to the task, either. He issued a bases-loaded walk to the first batter he faced, Dominic Smith, and then saw the final three runs cross the plate courtesy of a fielding error by Nick Allen and a Jeter Downs game-winning RBI single. Snead hadn't allowed a run in the previous 3.1 innings covering his last four appearances, and despite the stumble Sunday, he still carries a solid 3.38 ERA over his first seven outings.

Zerpa is scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Mariners at Kauffman Stadium.

Though Zerpa is lined up to make his first start of the season, he's essentially making his second straight turn through the rotation as a replacement for Zack Greinke (elbow). In his most recent outing Friday versus the Cardinals, Zerpa was deployed in bulk relief behind opener Dylan Coleman and picked up the win despite giving up five runs (four earned) on five hits and one walk over four innings. He won't make for an especially trustworthy streaming option during his upcoming outing versus the Mariners.

Tarnok is listed as the Athletics' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game in St. Louis.

The Athletics could end up changing course and deploy Tarnok behind an opener, but the 24-year-old right-hander at least appears to be locked into a rotation spot for the time being. After going 2.2 innings in his first career start July 26, Tarnok has worked in bulk relief in his last two appearances, covering 2.1 innings on Aug. 1 and four scoreless frames this past Wednesday. Tarnok tossed 69 pitches his last time out, and while he's still likely to have a workload restriction in place to some degree Tuesday, he should be stretched out enough to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win if used as a starter.

Smith (1-4) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit while striking out a batter in two-thirds of an inning Sunday against the Giants. He blew the save and took the loss.

Smith was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the 10th and nearly accomplished it after retiring the first two batters he faced. The lefty made a good pitch with an inside fastball to Patrick Bailey, but Bailey jumped on it and just cleared the fence in left field to give the Giants the win. Sunday was Smith's first blown save and loss since July 3 even though he's allowed runs in three of his last four outings. Aroldis Chapman has thrown six shutout innings while recording a 15:2 K:BB this month and could be making a case to get a look at the closer role if Smith's struggles continue.

Estevez struck out two during a 1-2-3 ninth inning Sunday to slam the door on the Astros and pick up his 25th save of the year.

Estevez locked down his second save of the week and needed just 12 pitches to send the Astros down in order. He struck out Grae Kessinger and Yainer Diaz before getting Jose Altuve to fly out to end the game. The 30-year-old seems to be getting back on track after some rough showings over the past few weeks. Estevez now holds a 3.42 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 58:27 K:BB in 47.1 innings.