MLB Player News

Jax picked up a save against the Athletics on Wednesday by striking out the only batter he faced.

Jhoan Duran worked the seventh inning Wednesday, giving Dallas Keuchel and Jax an opportunity to cover the final two frames. Keuchel pitched a scoreless eighth but put two runners on base in the ninth to bring the winning run to the plate, prompting Jax's entrance. Jax answered the call, striking out rookie phenom Zack Gelof to end the threat and notch his fourth save of the season. Two of those saves have come over his past three outings, but Duran's closer role is secure, so Jax should work primarily as a high-leverage setup option in the playoffs.

The Rangers reinstated Sborz (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Sborz had been on the injured list since Sept. 5 due to a strained hamstring. He threw one inning during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock, during which he gave up two hits and struck out three batters. The 29-year-old righty has put up a 5.80 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 49.2 frames this season and figures to be in the mix for high-leverage outings as the Rangers push for a postseason spot. Jake Latz was optioned to Round Rock in a corresponding move.

The Angels transferred Loup (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Kelvin Caceres, who has earned the call to the Angels' big-league bullpen. Loup was shut down last week with a left shoulder strain.

The Angels optioned Marte to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Marte has allowed 10 runs -- nine earned -- in 9.1 major-league innings this season. Kelvin Caceres will fill the vacant spot in the Angels' bullpen ahead of Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Brash secured his 25th hold in a win over the Astros on Tuesday, firing two scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts.

Brash threw 19 of 25 pitches for strikes while extending his scoreless appearance streak to 13 outings. The right-hander continues to primarily see seventh- and eighth-inning work, although he's arguably been more trustworthy overall in the last month-plus than primary closer Andres Munoz. If the Mariners do make it into the postseason, how manager Scott Servais distributes high-leverage assignments will be something to monitor.

Clarke (3-6) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Tigers.

Clarke gave up back-to-back solo home runs to Akil Baddoo and Parker Meadows in the eighth inning, and he couldn't settle down after that. Jackson Kowar later allowed an inherited runner to score. Clarke has taken on a share of the closing committee in Kansas City, but the numbers haven't been pretty -- he has an 8.64 ERA over 8.1 innings in September and a 5.90 ERA with a 1.60 WHIP and 65:24 K:BB through 58 innings overall. The reliever has added three saves, 12 holds and three blown saves.

Karinchak (2-5) allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Reds.

Karinchak had posted 3.2 scoreless innings over his first four appearances back in the majors before faltering in the fifth inning Tuesday. The right-hander is now at a 3.29 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 52:25 K:BB with 13 holds and two blown saves over 38.1 innings this season. Karinchak is mostly seeing low-leverage work to finish the campaign.

Silseth (concussion) is scheduled to return from the 7-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Athletics at Angel Stadium, MLB.com reports.

Silseth's availability for the rest of the season looked to be in question after he suffered a concussion Aug. 26 when he was struck on the head by an errant throw, but he cleared up any concerns about his health by making rehab starts with Triple-A Salt Lake on Sept. 17 and 22. In his most recent outing with Salt Lake this past weekend, Silseth tossed 60 pitches and 3.1 scoreless innings, so he should be capable of giving the Angels something close to a traditional start as he steps back into the rotation for the final series of the season.

Patino is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Prior to being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Sept. 1, Patino had made five starts for the White Sox's top minor-league affiliate, but he never covered more than four innings in any of those outings. He's since worked exclusively in relief following his call-up, topping out at four innings and 66 pitches over five appearances. Given his recent workloads, Patino might not be stretched out enough to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win even if he's economical with his pitch count. The White Sox have another multi-inning reliever in Deivi Garcia available on six days' rest, and he may be a better bet than Patino to qualify for a win if Chicago requires some length out of the bullpen.

Fairbanks struck out the side without allowing a baserunner to earn the save Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Fairbanks entered the game having blown his last two save chances while allowing three earned runs across two innings of work. He returned to dominance Tuesday, however, striking out all three batters he faced on swinging strikes. Despite his recent struggles, Fairbanks has racked up an impressive 68:19 K:BB while maintaining a 2.64 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 44.1 innings.