MLB Player News

Herget (shoulder) could be activated by the Angels on Sunday or Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Herget has been rehabbing with Double-A Rocket City, most recently pitching two perfect innings for the minor-league club Friday. The right-hander now appears set to rejoin the Angels after spending over a month on the IL. Prior to the injury, Herget had posted a 3.72 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 34:6 K:BB over 36.1 innings. He's notched two wins, one save and two holds on the season.

Jax threw a scoreless inning while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Padres to earn his 10th hold.

Jax has become a key setup man after transitioning from being a starting pitcher last season. He's improved both his average fastball velocity (95.3 mph from 92.7 mph last season) and strikeout rate (9.6 K/9 from 7.1 K/9 last season). Despite Minnesota's struggles to find a steady closer at times, Jax hasn't been used at the end of games, however.

Shaw is listed as the Guardians' starting pitcher for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

While making his first start in 733 MLB appearances in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox, Shaw covered 2.1 innings, so he's likely to work more than a traditional opener while he picks up his second start of the week. Even so, Shaw probably shouldn't be expected to work any more than 3-to-4 innings, so he'll have a tough time qualifying for the win unless the Guardians race out to an early lead and maintain it throughout. Kirk McCarty is the primary option to work in long relief behind Shaw and is a likelier candidate to factor into any decision.

Sewald pitched the ninth inning without giving up any runs, hits or walks to pick up the save in a 5-4 win over the Astros on Saturday.

After the Mariners pulled ahead in the top of the ninth with a two-run inning, manager Scott Servais called on Sewald to protect a one-run lead. Sewald pitched a smooth three-up, three-down frame to earn his 13th save of the season. It was a nice bounce-back performance for Sewald after he gave up a couple of runs and blew the save his last time out against the Rangers. Sewald is in the midst of a career-best season and boasts a 2.72 ERA.

Pressly (3-3) gave up two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two over one inning of work to take the loss in a 5-4 defeat to the Mariners on Saturday.

Pressly had been very good in July, tallying two wins and two saves while posting an ERA of 2.00 coming into Saturday's game. However, he wasn't able to protect a one-run lead over the Mariners and gave up the game-winning hit on a two-out, two-RBI single to Abraham Toro. Despite being saddled with his third loss of the season, Pressly should get a chance to redeem himself shortly.

Heasley (1-6) allowed six runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out one across 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Yankees.

Heasley made his first start since July 9 after spending three weeks on the injured list. He received a rude welcome from the Yankees, as both DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge took Heasley yard to account for three of his earned runs. Heasley has had an up-and-down season for the Royals, allowing at least four earned runs in four of his last five appearances after logging a 3.62 ERA through his first six outings. That has resulted in a 5.50 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 52.1 innings on the campaign.

Fairbanks allowed two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Saturday against the Guardians.

Fairbanks successfully protected a two-run lead despite allowing the tying run to reach base. He now has two saves on the season and has served as the closer in each of the Rays' last two victories. Though it's difficult to project the ninth-inning role in Tampa Bay, it appears as if Fairbanks is the preferred option for the time being.

Martin (0-7) took the loss and a blown save in Saturday's 9-7 defeat against the Angels. He was charged with two runs on a hit and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.

Dennis Santana made a mess of things early in the eighth inning, allowing three of the four batters he faced to reach base. Martin wasn't able to settle things down, uncorking a wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score before giving up a two-run double to Luis Rengifo. In his last six outings, Martin has allowed at least one run five times and multiple runs in three of those appearances. He now has a 4.24 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB in 34 innings this season. He's picked up three saves and four holds, but he now has three blown saves, and the southpaw could soon be shuffled out of the closer role if he can't get back on track. Per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, manager Chris Woodward was saving Jonathan Hernandez for the ninth inning Saturday, which suggests he could be the next man up for closing duties if Martin loses the job.

Otto allowed four runs on four hits, three walks and two hit batters while striking out five in five innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

Otto struggled to find the zone, throwing 43 of 73 pitches for strikes. He's gone 0-5 with two no-decisions in his last seven starts, and he's allowed at least three runs in six of those outings. The right-hander owns a 5.50 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 57:38 K:BB in 72 innings across 15 starts this year. Otto is projected for a home start against the White Sox next week.

Iglesias earned the save in Saturday's 9-7 win over the Rangers, striking out one and allowing a hit and a walk in one scoreless inning.

Iglesias went a month between save conversions, as his last was June 29. He had a spotty stretch with a blown save and two losses in mid-July, but he's settled down with no runs allowed in his last four appearances spanning four frames. The Angels' free fall in the standings has seen them win just six times in July, which has undoubtedly limited Iglesias' high-leverage opportunities. He owns a 4.11 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 48:9 K:BB across 35 innings while converting 16 of 19 save chances this year.