MLB Player News

Swanson recorded his fifth hold in a win over the Diamondbacks on Saturday, firing a perfect seventh inning.

It's been a bit of a rocky road for Swanson during the second half of the season, with the right-hander giving up multiple runs in three appearances. Swanson had also yielded at least one run in four of his previous five trips to the mound entering Saturday, but the quick work he made of the Diamondbacks in his first appearance in a week was a reminder of how effective he's often been in a season during which he's forged a 2.48 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

The Twins designated Law for assignment Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Law, who's been on the injured list since July 17 with a right shoulder impingement, loses his 40-man roster spot to allow for Luke Farrell's return from the 60-day IL. Law has been decent with a 4.20 ERA in 15 relief innings this season, but his injury makes him unlikely to get claimed on waivers in the next couple days.

The Yankees recalled Abreu from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The righty was sent down to Triple-A on Aug. 29 after posting a 2.51 ERA and 17:5 K:BB in 14.1 innings during his month-long stint with the big-league club. He returns to the Bronx to help fill the bullpen void left by Jonathan Loaisiga (shoulder) going on the injured list.

Loaisiga was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained right rotator cuff, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander will be re-evaluated after not throwing for 10 days, suggesting he'll spend longer than the minimum time on the IL. His absence is a huge blow to the Yankees' bullpen, as he's arguably been the most reliable late-inning option for manager Aaron Boone throughout the season. Albert Abreu was recalled Sunday to pick up some of the slack left by Loaisiga.

Pivetta was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The righty had been scheduled to start Sunday's game against Cleveland, but obviously that won't be happening. How long Pivetta might be sidelined will depend on whether he tested positive and whether he's vaccinated, details that haven't been disclosed.

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.