MLB Player News

Quijada (0-2) was tagged with the loss against Kansas City on Tuesday as a result of allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk over one inning. He struck out one batter.

The wild contest featured 14 combined runs between the sixth and ninth inning, and the teams went into extra frames with the score tied 10-10. Both clubs went scoreless in the 10th, but the Royals scored twice off Quijada in the 11th and went on to claim a one-run victory. This was only the second time this season that Quijada has allowed an earned run, and he holds a 2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over nine innings on the campaign.

Otto (illness) rejoined the Rangers at Globe Life Field on Wednesday and will likely be activated from the COVID-19-related injured list to start in Sunday's home game against the Nationals, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Otto returned to Arlington after he made a rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Round Rock. Though Otto was roughed up for four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 2.2 innings, the fact that he didn't stick around with Round Rock suggests the Rangers are preparing to have him back in the rotation this weekend. According to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, the Rangers already announced that No. 5 starter Taylor Hearn will be available out of the bullpen this weekend, which seemingly supports the notion that Otto will be cleared to make his first start for the big club since June 4.

Stephan (3-2) walked one and struck out three in one scoreless inning to earn the win over the Twins on Tuesday.

Stephan walked Byron Buxton to lead off the bottom of the 10th inning, but he bounced back to strike out Carlos Correa, Max Kepler and Gary Sanchez in order. The Guardians pulled ahead in the 11th and Emmanuel Clase made it stick to earn Stephan his first win since April 29. He's kept runs off the board in six of his seven appearances in June and now owns a 3.65 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 24.2 innings overall. Stephan has added a save, four holds and a blown save, though he only occasionally sees high-leverage spots.

Hearn will be available out of the bullpen during the Rangers' weekend series against Washington, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Hearn's first 13 appearances of the season came as a starter, but he posted a 7.02 ERA and 1.83 WHIP in 33.1 innings over his last seven starts. While the Rangers haven't revealed their rotation for their weekend series, Hearn will shift to the bullpen for now. It's not yet clear whether he'll rejoin the starting rotation next week.

Foster (personal) was reinstated from the bereavement list Wednesday.

Foster was away from the White Sox since Sunday, but he'll rejoin the team after spending the minimum amount of time on the bereavement list. Davis Martin was sent down to make room for Foster on the active roster.

Clase pitched a perfect 11th inning while striking out one to pick up the save in a 6-5 extra-innings win over the Twins on Tuesday.

The Guardians' 24-year-old closer has been very effective in 2022, and his clean frame in extra innings earned him his 16th save of the year. That total ties him for fifth in the majors, and it comes on the back of elite ratios. His ability to limit the long ball has been a key part of his success this season, evidenced by his sparkling 0.31 HR/9 rate.

Poche gave up two earned runs on a walk and a home run while striking out one to pick up his fifth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Yankees on Tuesday.

Rays manager Kevin Cash called on Poche to protect a three-run lead in the top of the ninth, and he got the job done to earn his fifth save of the season despite giving up a two-run home run to Marwin Gonzalez. The Rays are known for their closer-by-committee approach, but Poche appears to be the top man in the bullpen for now. He has two wins and three saves in June, and he should continue to see continued high-leverage usage with J.P. Feyereisen (shoulder) on the IL and Andrew Kittredge out for the season with Tommy John surgery.

Strahm gave up a run on one hit while striking out one batter in two-thirds of an inning Tuesday to record his eighth hold of the season in a 5-4 win over the Tigers.

Getting the call to begin the ninth inning with Boston nursing a two-run lead, Strahm saw his cushion evaporate immediately when Jonathan Schoop took him deep for a solo shot. The lefty then got the hook with two outs and right-handed hitters Javier Baez and Miguel Cabrera due up for Detroit, instead watching as John Schreiber pick up his second save of the season. Strahm has stumbled a bit through eight appearances in June, posting a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB over six innings, but he still has two saves and four holds during that stretch and his high-leverage spot in the Red Sox bullpen appears to be fairly secure.

Schreiber gave up a hit before recording the final out of Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Tigers to record his second save of the season.

Matt Strahm got the call to begin the ninth inning with Boston protecting a two-run lead, but after Jonathan Schoop led off the frame with a solo shot, the lefty wasn't given the chance to earn the save, getting the hook with two outs and right-handed hitters Javier Baez and Miguel Cabrera waiting. Schreiber has reeled off 10 straight scoreless appearances while establishing himself as a high-leverage option for the Red Sox, posting a 1.04 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB through 8.2 innings over that stretch with seven holds, However, he still remains behind Tanner Houck and Strahm in the pecking order for saves.

Clarke logged a hold with one perfect relief inning in Tuesday's 12-11 extra-innings win over the Angels.

Clarke worked the eighth inning without trouble, but the game got chaotic after that. The 29-year-old is up to four holds in 26 appearances this season, maintaining a mid-leverage role in the Royals' bullpen. He's added a save, two blown saves, a 4.88 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 23:3 K:BB across 27.2 innings, but he's not expected to be in serious contention for regular save chances.