MLB Player News

Baumann (9-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and struck out one over one inning to take the extra-inning loss Tuesday versus the Blue Jays.

Baumann has been a pleasant surprise for the Orioles in a versatile relief role, but he was ambushed Tuesday. Brandon Belt launched a go-ahead two-run home run and Vladimir Guerrero scored on a wild pitch to account for the runs. With a 5.59 ERA over 9.2 innings in August, Baumann has started to regress. He's at a 3.82 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and 59:31 K:BB over 61.1 innings this season, though his 4.23 FIP suggests more regression could follow down the stretch.

Martinez is listed as the Athletics' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Royals, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Martinez has made 12 starts at Triple-A Las Vegas this season, but he's been working exclusively as a reliever across multiple stints with Oakland, compiling a 5.85 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 32.1 innings over 14 appearances. Since he's reached four innings just once this season for the Athletics and will be pitching on three days' rest after making a one-inning appearance Saturday against the Orioles, Martinez is unlikely to reach the five innings he would need Wednesday to qualify for a win. Instead, look for the Athletics to treat Martinez as a multi-inning opener in front of Kyle Muller, who is available to pitch on four days' rest.

Honeywell was designated for assignment Wednesday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Honeywell was claimed off waivers from the Padres earlier this month after the Friars had removed him from their 40-man roster. He didn't last long on the South Side, coughing up seven runs over 5.2 innings. Honeywell will now go through the waiver process again.

Peralta was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Peralta will provide the big club with a fresh relief arm. The 25-year-old has collected a 4.15 ERA and 5:3 K:BB over 4.1 innings in the majors this season.

Navarro was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Navarro yielded a couple runs while striking out five over three innings during an earlier stint with the White Sox. He figures to operate in middle relief for the Pale Hose.

Romano picked up the save Tuesday against Baltimore. He struck out two in a perfect inning.

After Toronto took a 6-3 lead in the top of the 10th inning, Romano shut the door in the bottom half of the frame, striking out a pair to strand the free runner at second base and earn his 31st save. The right-hander is 3-for-3 in save chances since returning from the IL on Aug 15, allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings. Overall, Romano sports a 2.60 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 56:16 K:BB across 45 innings this season.

Munoz notched his eighth save in a win over the White Sox on Tuesday, recording the final out of the game on a strikeout.

Despite its brevity, Munoz's save opportunity was anything but easy considering it involved retiring the dangerous Luis Robert with a man aboard. The right-hander got the job done on just four pitches, putting the prodigious slugger away swinging on a 97-mph sinker to convert his second straight save chance and generate his third consecutive scoreless appearance. Munoz appears to be settling into the primary closer role, although the ninth-inning job in Seattle isn't as centered on one pitcher as it is on other clubs around baseball.

Topa (3-3) got the victory over the White Sox on Tuesday, firing 1.1 perfect innings during which he recorded a strikeout.

Topa breezed through his brief time in the game, impressively firing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes while getting Eloy Jimenez on an inning-ending groundout with two aboard when he first entered in the seventh. The right-hander hasn't allowed a run since July 22, a span of 13.1 innings during which he's recorded two wins overall alongside seven holds.

Coulombe (biceps) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and struck out two batters over a scoreless inning.

The reliever is eligible to return from the 15-day injured list Thursday and would appear to be in line to rejoin the Orioles at that time or shortly thereafter. Coulombe has been terrific out of the Orioles bullpen this season, holding a 2.77 ERA and 48:9 K:BB over 39 innings.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Smith's recent bout of ineffectiveness was due to lack of command of his fastball, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "It's kind of been a one-plane pitch instead of working the four different quadrants of the strike zone," the manager said. "We need to get back and locate that fastball. Command, as I've said many times, is more important than velocity."

Smith has blown two saves and sports a 15.19 ERA over his last seven outings. He agreed with the manager that location is the reason for the recent struggles. Bochy did not give a clear answer when discussing the closing role, but the manager had Aroldis Chapman attempt to close Monday's game, which eventually went to extra innings where Smith blew the save. There was a stretch earlier this month when it looked like the back end of the bullpen was set with Josh Sborz, Chapman and Smith, in that order. However, recent events mean fantasy managers should understand that Smith is not guaranteed to close every game. The Rangers are off Wednesday, and the manager hopes the bullpen can reset.