MLB Player News

Kimbrel (3-4) worked around one hit and struck out three over a scoreless seventh inning to pick up the win over Kansas City on Saturday.

Kimbrel came on the seventh inning because that's when a potential threat loomed. Salvador Perez, who had homered twice already, was due up fourth, and manager Tony La Russa wanted Kimbrel to face him if a runner got on. After Kimbrel fanned the first two batters, Nicky Lopez singled to left on a check swing, bringing Perez to the plate. Kimbrel threw one fastball among the five pitches thrown, none in the strike zone, and got Perez to chase three of them. It was just the second time all season that Kimbrel has pitched in the seventh inning.

Hendriks pitched a perfect inning against the Royals on Saturday, striking out one to earn the save.

The White Sox closer threw eight of 11 pitches for strikes in setting the side down in order. Hendriks has successfully converted six straight save opportunities since Aug. 16, holding opponents to a single run while posting a 13:1 K:BB across 10 innings over that span. He appears to be back on track after a rough two-game stretch in mid-August during which he gave up six earned runs across 1.1 frames.

Lopez did not factor in the decision against Kansas City on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out one batter.

Lopez entered the contest fresh off five perfect relief innings his last time out, but he was much less effective Saturday. The right-hander was given an early 6-0 lead but gave half of the lead back in the third frame, with two runs coming on a long ball by Salvador Perez. Lopez's ERA rose to a still-superb 2.08, and there's a chance that he could make another start depending on the status of Lucas Giolito, who is currently dealing with a hamstring injury. if Giolito is able to come back in time for his next start, Lopez will likely return to the bullpen.

Sulser (4-3) struck out one in 1.1 perfect innings to earn the win Saturday over the Yankees.

The right-hander got Anthony Rizzo to fly out in the eighth inning, and Baltimore went ahead in the ninth. Sulser had no trouble in the bottom of the ninth, securing his first win since July 25. The 31-year-old lowered his ERA to 2.98 with a 1.17 WHIP and 66:21 K:BB through 51.1 innings. He'll continue to see high-leverage usage over the final month of the season, as he's logged six saves and three holds in 50 appearances.

Ottavino (5-3) allowed three runs on three hits with one strikeout through one inning, miraculously picking up the win (and a blown save) in Saturday's 4-3 victory over Cleveland.

There might be a 'W' next to Ottavino's name, but he isn't feeling like a victor tonight. The right-hander inherited a 3-0 lead in the top of the ninth and got Cleveland down to its final strike before Franmil Reyes demolished a hanging slider to tie the game at three. Fortunately for Ottavino and fantasy managers alike, the Red Sox picked him up in the bottom half of the inning to walk it off. The win is the 35-year-old's second in as many days, but his scoreless streak of 7.1 innings is over.

Shaw (6-7) allowed one run on one hit and one walk through 1.1 innings, taking the loss in Saturday's 4-3 defeat to the Red Sox.

Shaw worked a snappy eighth inning before conceding a base hit to Travis Shaw (unrelated), who would eventually come around to score the winning run for Boston. While this outing does break the right-hander's streak of four straight scoreless appearances, there's no sign that Cleveland will be removing high-leverage duty from his plate anytime soon.

Morgan allowed three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts through 5.2 shutout innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Red Sox.

After getting pulled just three innings into his last start Aug. 29 against Boston, Morgan managed to go much deeper into the game this time around. While the four walks were a career high, the 25-year-old managed to keep a potent Boston lineup off the board and deserved a better fate in terms of the decision. His next chance likely comes Friday against the Brewers.

Chapman (5-4) took the loss Saturday, giving up one run on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning as the Yankees fell 4-3 to the Orioles. He struck out three.

The veteran closer struck out Ryan Mountcastle to begin the ninth but watched him take first on a wild pitch, and Chapman then loaded the bases on a single and a walk to set up an eventual game-winning sacrifice fly by Pedro Severino. It's his first loss since July 4, and since the All-Star break Chapman has a 2.20 ERA and 27:11 K:BB through 16.1 innings while converting all nine of his save chances.

Hartlieb was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox on Saturday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Hartlieb was designated for assignment by the Mets on Thursday, but he'll join Boston's 40-man roster. The right-hander had been pitching at the Triple-A level before he was DFA'd, and the Red Sox will have to make an additional roster move if they intend to bring him up to the majors.

Howard (undisclosed) is back with the team Saturday and should be activated to start sometime during the Rangers' current road trip, which runs through Sept. 12, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Howard hit the COVID-19 injured list in late August. He tossed two innings in a rehab outing Thursday, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three batters. It remains unclear exactly when he's expected to return.