MLB Player News

Smeltzer (4-1) earned the win over Cleveland on Thursday, pitching six scoreless innings during which he gave up three hits and struck out three batters.

Smeltzer was pummeled for six earned runs over 4.1 frames in his worst outing of the season in his previous appearance, but he responded with one of his better performances of the campaign Thursday. This was the second time in 2022 that the left-hander tossed a scoreless outing, and he kept the ball in the park for the first time in his past four appearances. Smeltzer hasn't struck out many batters this season -- he has 22:11 K:BB over 44.1 innings -- but he has managed a solid 3.05 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while registering a 4-1 record.

Lopez struck out both batters he faced to earn the save in Thursday's 4-0 win over the White Sox.

With a four-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning, manager Brandon Hyde left Dillon Tate in the game initially. Tate put two on with one out, and Lopez was summoned to escape the jam, doing so with strikeouts of Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn. This extended Lopez's scoreless streak to 9.1 innings in his last eight appearances, and he's given up just one unearned run in June. The closer is 12-for-14 in save chances this year with a 0.77 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 36:13 K:BB through 35 innings overall.

Pressly (1-2) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in one-third of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Yankees.

Pressly walked the first two batters he faced, then served up a game-tying three-run home to Aaron Hicks. It didn't get better from there, as Pressly allowed two more singles, though Isiah Kiner-Falefa was caught stealing. Ryne Stanek fared no better, allowing a walkoff single from Aaron Judge, with the run going down as the fourth on Pressly's line. This poor outing ended a five-inning scoreless streak for the Astros' closer, who saw his ERA rise to 4.26 with a 1.37 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB through 19 innings overall. He's 14-for-17 in save chances, though he's likely built up enough trust to maintain the role after what's for now an isolated bad outing.

Puk allowed two inherited runners to score on two walks and two wild pitches, taking a blown save in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Mariners. He pitched one-third of an inning.

While the runs and the loss went on Zach Jackson's line, Puk was very clearly responsible. Both walks and wild pitches he gave up came with two outs, and the southpaw's struggles are highlighted by the fact he threw only seven of 17 pitches for strikes. Through nine outings in June, Puk has allowed three runs, seven hits, three hit batters and two walks in 8.2 innings. He still has a 1.91 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 28.1 innings overall, but the shaky showing Thursday wasn't a great first audition for more save chances with Dany Jimenez (shoulder) on the injured list.

Jackson (1-2) was charged with two runs on two walks and one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Thursday versus the Mariners.

After eight innings of two-hit ball from starter Frankie Montas, Jackson ran into trouble in the ninth. He put two batters aboard with walks before A.J. Puk entered the game, and it was Puk who walked two more and threw two wild pitches to allow both inherited runners to score. The loss will go on Jackson's ledger, and both of his defeats this year have been in the only two appearances in which he's allowed multiple runs. The 27-year-old reliever has a 3.90 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 39:23 K:BB across 27.2 innings, though he's also picked up 12 holds as a high-leverage option in the Athletics' closer committee.

Sewald struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Athletics.

After the A's bullpen butchered a save chance, Sewald promptly retired the side in order, and he needed just 11 pitches to convert his fifth save of the season. The right-hander's only blemishes during June came in a pair of games versus the Red Sox -- he's kept runs off the board in his other seven outings this month while continuing to function in a high-leverage role. Sewald has a 2.81 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB with four holds and two blown saves through 25.2 innings this year.

Pruitt fired a perfect eighth inning in a loss to the Mariners on Wednesday, recording a strikeout.

The right-hander got through his perfect frame on just 13 pitches, bouncing back from an ugly appearance Tuesday when he gave up four earned runs on four hits, including three home runs, in just one-third of an inning. Pruitt has given up four runs on two occasions overall in June, but he hasn't been scored upon in the 7.2 innings covering his other six appearances during the month.

Hendriks (forearm) began throwing this week and is recovering well, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

After throwing from 60 feet Monday, Hendriks was quoted as saying, "Everything is exactly where we are expecting it to be. Now the challenge on my behalf tends to convince them that I can come back quicker than they are trying to let me." Hendriks is targeting July 1 for his return from the 15-day injured list. In the meantime, Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly will mix in for save chances, with Kelly recently tallying the first Chicago save in Hendriks' absence.

Tapia was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Tapia was recalled Tuesday and made one one appearance during his time on the roster, allowing two runs in 2.1 innings of relief Wednesday against the Mariners. He's now given up six earned runs in 3.2 major-league innings this season, which doesn't help his case for a return to the roster. Sam Moll returned from the COVID-19 injured list in a corresponding move.

Moll (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday.

Moll played catch on the field prior to Thursday's game against the Mariners, and he'll be available out of the bullpen after spending a few days away from the team due to the league's health and safety protocols. The southpaw has been dominant for the Athletics this year, picking up six holds while posting a 1.27 ERA, 29:13 K:BB and 1.27 WHIP in 21.1 innings over 26 relief appearances.