MLB Player News

Mears (shoulder) began a throwing progression this week and could progress to a bullpen by the end of the week, MLB.com reports.

Mears was placed on the injured list May 29 with a right shoulder impingement, and this marks the first notable update on his status since then. The right-hander appears to be trending in a positive direction, and if his progression remains on track, he likely won't require much more time on the injured list. Prior to being sidelined, Mears pitched to a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Latz earned the save Wednesday against the Royals, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless 10th inning.

Working on five days of rest, Latz was tasked with protecting a two-run lead in the 10th inning and quickly found himself in serious trouble. With the automatic runner already on second base, he allowed a leadoff single to Jac Caglianone and then walked the next batter to load the bases with nobody out. The left-hander responded brilliantly, striking out the next hitter before inducing a game-ending double-play grounder to escape unscathed and secure his 10th save. Latz has now converted a save in each of his last five appearances and owns a 1.80 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and a 30:10 K:BB across 30 innings this season.

Hudson earned the save Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing a walk and no hits with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

After Chicago leaned heavily on its bullpen Tuesday, Hudson was asked to handle the ninth inning Wednesday and protect a one-run lead. The left-hander worked around a one-out walk to Eli White and successfully closed out the victory for his third save of the season. The save comes on the heels of a rare rough patch, as Hudson had allowed multiple runs in back-to-back appearances after holding opponents scoreless in 26 of his previous 27 outings. Despite those recent hiccups, he still owns a strong 2.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB across 31 innings and should continue to operate as a setup man for Chicago.

Alvarado struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Brewers.

The right-hander was trusted to lock things down in the ninth inning while pitching for the second day in a row, becoming the fifth different Athletics' pitcher to record a save since May 30. Alvarado struggled early in the season after making the Opening Day roster and was demoted in mid-April, but he's allowed just one hit while striking out nine over 4.1 innings across three appearances since returning to the majors last week. He's collected a save, four holds and a 2-0 record on the year despite a 5.79 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 14 innings. Alvarado is the ninth pitcher overall to earn a save for the team this season, as the closer situation remains a muddled committee for the A's.

Perkins allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over four innings in a no-decision versus the Brewers on Wednesday.

Perkins was a little better this time out, but he still wasn't very efficient in his second start of the year. He threw 56 of 89 pitches for strikes and allowed two home runs while pitching at hitter-friendly Las Vegas Ballpark. In his two starts, he's allowed eight runs on 10 hits and five walks while striking out 10 over eight innings. Combined with his work out of the bullpen this season, Perkins has a 6.25 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB through 36 innings over 19 appearances. If the Athletics still need his help in the rotation, Perkins would be tentatively lined up for a home start in Sacramento against the Pirates next week.

Gomez picked up the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Tigers, allowing one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout over one inning.

The saves leader for the Twins secured another one Wednesday despite a shaky ninth inning that saw him give up his first earned run since May 24. Gomez has now converted all five of his save chances with Minnesota this season as he maintains a light grip on the closer role. Since coming over from Tampa Bay in early May, the right-hander has given up only two earned runs with a 19:7 K:BB across 15 innings.

Paredes allowed a run on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts over three innings during Wednesday's win against the Tigers. He did not factor in the decision.

Paredes stepped into a starting role for the Twins after two long-relief outings to begin his big-league career. The 25-year-old set a season-high in strikeouts and now has a 4.35 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB across 10.1 major-league innings. Parades has not pitched more than five frames with Triple-A St. Paul or the Twins this season, so his potential upside as a starting pitcher is limited until he can work deeper into games.

Brieske worked around three hits and a walk to toss 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.

Brieske wasn't particularly sharp, but it was still a step in the right direction for him, as he had allowed three runs in each of his first two outings of the season. The righty had been on the injured list all year after suffering a left adductor strain toward the end of spring training, and it looks like he's still shaking off some rust after being reinstated in late May. Brieske should see his bullpen role grow as he settles in, though he may have limited fantasy upside working in middle relief.

Crochet said Wednesday that his lat strain "is a lot worse" than the Red Sox originally thought, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Crochet also said that he has "no idea" when he'll be cleared to begin throwing. The 26-year-old southpaw was diagnosed with a low-grade lat strain June 2 that was initially expected to keep him sidelined until at least July, though his latest comments suggest he could be in for even longer of a wait. He's slated to undergo further imaging later in the week, at which point the team will have a better idea of the true severity of his injury and possibly a rough timeline for his return to the rotation.

Chivilli (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Right shoulder discomfort has kept Chivilli out of action since late April, but after beginning a throwing program in late May, he's already been cleared to begin pitching in minor-league games. He'll presumably make multiple appearances with the RailRiders before returning to the Yankees' bullpen.