MLB Player News

Romano (3-4) took the loss in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Red Sox. He allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one inning.

After entering the 4-4 ballgame in the top of the ninth, Romano surrendered a solo home run to Alex Verdugo on the very first pitch. The long ball was the second Romano has dished out over the last four games, a stretch in which he's given up three runs with three strikeouts over 3.1 innings. Despite taking his fourth loss of the year, Romano remains tied for the league lead in saves with 24.

Perez (2-1) earned the win Sunday over the Twins, striking out one in a perfect inning.

Perez had allowed at least one baserunner in each of his last 13 appearances, giving up 10 runs (eight earned) on 16 hits and seven walks over 12.2 innings in that span. He was an effective setup man last season, but Perez's regression with walks (4.7 BB/9) has made it a difficult first half of 2023 for the southpaw. He has a 4.45 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB over 30.1 innings while adding eight holds through 33 appearances. Perez will still get some late-inning work, but he's no threat to Felix Bautista's closer role, whiel Danny Coulombe has surpassed Perez as the Orioles' top lefty reliever.

Estevez allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Estevez allowed at least one baserunner in seven of his 10 outings in June, though he was able to convert all seven of his save chances in the month. He continues to work around traffic effectively -- he has a 1.85 ERA despite a 1.26 WHIP while racking up 42 strikeouts through 34 innings this season. He's converted 21 saves and added two holds while operating as the Angels' primary closer.

Pressly struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

Pressly had no trouble protecting a two-run lead. He's converted five saves and added a win since his blown save June 14 versus the Nationals. The right-hander is 17-for-20 in save chances with a 2.72 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB through 36.1 innings overall. Pressly continues to enjoy stability in the closer role for Houston.

Dubin allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings, taking a no-decision in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Rangers.

Dubin worked up to 68 pitches (39 strikes) in his first big-league start, and he did an effective job of quieting a strong offense. The run on his line came on an Adolis Garcia sacrifice fly in the first inning. It's unclear if Dubin will stick in the Astros' rotation beyond Sunday -- Framber Valdez (ankle) is questionable to pitch again before the All-Star break. If Dubin starts again, it'll likely be during a four-game home series versus the Mariners.

Leclerc (ankle) was assigned to Double-A Frisco on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment.

The 29-year-old landed on the shelf with a right ankle sprain June 21, and his quick return to game action indicates the injury was never a serious concern. Leclerc will be eligible to be reinstated from the injured list Thursday.

Bautista picked up the save Sunday against the Twins, striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

Bautista's now converted 14 of his last 15 save chances, allowing just one run in that span (14.2 innings) while striking out 31. He's up to 22 saves on the season with a 1.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and an eye-popping 79:17 K:BB across 38.2 innings.

Lovelady (elbow) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

Lovelady landed on the shelf in mid-June with a left-elbow strain, but he spent just one day over the 15-day minimum on the IL. He's been a solid late-inning option for Oakland this year with four holds and a 3.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB across 21 innings.

The Astros optioned Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Since Blanco wasn't scheduled to make another start during the final week before the All-Star break, the Astros opted to swap him off the 26-man active roster in favor of a fresh bullpen arm in Parker Mushinski, who was recalled from Sugar Land in a corresponding move. While serving as a starter in each of his last five appearances for Houston, Blanco went 2-0 with a 4.82 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB across 28 innings. Unless Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is ready to return from the 60-day injured list coming out of the All-Star break, Blanco will likely rejoin the Astros once the team requires a fifth starter for the first time in the second half.

Barria will start Monday against the Padres in San Diego, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

As the holder of the final slot in a six-man rotation, Barria's role and routine tend to fluctuate. The right-hander didn't see action for 10 days between a relief appearance June 18 and a start June 28, and he's now being asked to pitch on four days of rest so that Shohei Ohtani, who's dealing with a cracked fingernail, can get an extra day before his next start. Of course, four days is typical rest in many big-league rotations, and Barria tossed just 59 pitches his last time out, so he should be fresh for Monday's start.