MLB Player News

Baumann (6-0) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday over the Marlins.

Baumann induced a double play in the sixth inning to get out of a two-on, one-out situation, then worked around a two-out triple in the seventh before the Orioles took the lead. Since the start of June, Baumann has a 3.29 ERA despite a 13:13 K:BB, and he's added four holds and two wins over 13.2 innings in that span. His 3.92 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 46:26 K:BB for the season don't inspire a ton of confidence in his long-term success, but he's been effective enough in a lower-leverage role this season.

Hernandez (0-5) took the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Rays, allowing a run on two hits while striking out one in one inning.

The Rays took the lead on a Luke Raley RBI single in the eighth inning, sticking Hernandez with his first decision since June 12. After some troubles in early June, the right-hander has settled down, allowing three runs (two earned) over his last 13.1 innings. He's at a 3.94 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 52:12 K:BB with five holds through 45.2 innings this season. Hernandez could be an option to take over the closer role if the Royals trade Scott Barlow before the deadline, though save chances on a last-place team are likely to remain sparse.

Kelly (elbow) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Kelly has been on the shelf since July 6 with right elbow inflammation, and he projects to return from the injured list when first eligible Thursday. The 35-year-old reliever holds a 4.82 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 28 innings this season alongside 10 holds and six blown saves.

Loaisiga (elbow) is close to throwing a live bullpen session, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Loaisiga underwent surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow in early May and was subsequently moved to the 60-day IL. The righty reliever began a throwing program in mid-June and recently progressed to mound work. Throwing to live hitters will represent another step forward in Loaisiga's recovery, and a minor-league rehab stint may follow soon thereafter. There is a possibility that Loaisiga could return to the big-league bullpen before the end of July.

The Royals optioned Snider to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Snider was recalled from Omaha at the start of July and has since allowed four earned runs over 4.2 innings while walking four batters and striking out three. Max Castillo will come up from Omaha to take Snider's spot in the bullpen.

The Royals recalled Castillo from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Castillo was sent to Omaha in late May and has since posted a 3.52 ERA and 0.89 WHIP to go with a 28:5 K:BB through 38.1 innings. He's been used primarily as a starter in the minors but figures to serve as a multi-inning reliever while with the Royals. Collin Snider was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Garcia picked up the save Saturday against the Diamondbacks, allowing two hits while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

With Jordan Romano still recovering from a lower back injury, Garcia entered the contest with a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning and got into trouble early after allowing singles to Lourdes Gurriel and Jake McCarthy. However, the right-handed reliever managed to pitch his way out of it, needing just four pitches to retire the final two batters and secure his second save of the season. Garcia is now 2-for-2 in save opportunities and has not allowed a run since June 17 against the Rangers.

Bautista struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 25th save of the season during Saturday's 6-5 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander failed to fan multiple batters for the first time since June 18, but he remained dominant as he topped out at 101.6 mph with his fastball and needed only 10 pitches (eight strikes) to breeze through the heart of Miami's order. Bautista has been scored upon only once in his last 18 appearances, and the 28-year-old closer has a minuscule 1.02 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 87:19 K:BB through 44 innings on the season.

Smith struck out two batters over 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings to earn a hold in Saturday's 2-0 win over Cleveland.

Smith, who needed just 19 pitches to get those five outs, shepherded the lead to the ninth inning for Aroldis Chapman, who was as efficient as Smith in picking up his first save since joining Texas. Earlier in the day, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy announced that Smith and Chapman would be co-closers, per Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com. Smith's value obviously takes a hit with the new arrangement, but he's converted 15 of 17 save opportunities and is a trusted arm.

Chapman allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless ninth inning to record a save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Guardians.

Chapman threw 10 of 12 pitches for a strike to record his first save since joining the Rangers at the end of June. Texas manager Bruce Bochy announced earlier in the day that Chapman will share the closer role with Will Smith, and the manager wasted no time giving the recent bullpen addition his first opportunity. Smith was used as the bridge, getting five outs before Chapman took over. Bochy said whichever reliever gets the call to close out games will depend on the set of hitters due up. Both are lefties, so it will not be solely based on lefty-righty matchups.