MLB Player News

Romano picked up his 10th save of the season in Sunday's 9-8 win over the Red Sox, fanning two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Romano needed 17 pitches to get the job done, with 12 of his offerings finding the strike zone. The right-hander looks to be manager Charlie Montoyo's preferred option for saves at the moment, even after Toronto acquired a proven closer at the deadline in Brad Hand.

Stephan has allowed nine runs in his last 11.1 innings.

In that span, which covers eight appearances, Stephan has only kept opponents off the board three times. He's also yielded four home runs. The rookie right-hander has a 4.70 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 44:20 K:BB across 38.1 innings. With an FIP of 6.06, it's safe to say Stephan has gotten a little lucky this season, which doesn't bode well for his chances of pitching himself into a high-leverage role in the last two months of the season.

Karinchak struck out one in a perfect eighth inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 7-5 win over Detroit.

After a nightmarish July saw him allow nine runs in 11 innings, Karinchak has strung together three straight scoreless innings to begin August. The 25-year-old's slump last month did some damage to his ratios, which now sit at a 3.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 74:28 K:BB in 48.2 innings overall. He's added 11 saves and 10 holds in a high-leverage role, but it appears Emmanuel Clase, who pitched a scoreless inning to earn the save Sunday, has a slight edge for save chances under acting manager DeMarlo Hale.

Shaw (5-5) allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Sunday versus Detroit.

The right-hander worked the seventh inning, and he was the beneficiary of Cleveland pulling ahead on a two-run blast by Bradley Zimmer in the home half of the inning. Shaw has allowed just one hit, one walk and a hit batter in his last four innings, adding a pair of wins in that span. He's posted a 3.02 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 57:30 K:BB through 50.2 innings, while his two saves and 14 holds show that he's trusted in high-leverage situations.

Clase allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 7-5 win over Detroit.

The right-hander had no trouble protecting a two-run lead to earn his fifth save in his last six appearances. Clase's scoreless streak is up to 9.1 innings, and he's allowed just four hits while striking out nine in that span. He's up to 16 saves, a 1.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB across 46.1 innings. Cleveland has often used one of Clase or James Karinchak -- who logged a perfect eighth inning for a hold Sunday -- in the closer role this season.

Merryweather (oblique) said Monday that he's completed multiple bullpen sessions and is close to facing live hitters in batting practice, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Initially placed on the injured list April 14 with a left oblique strain, Merryweather has experienced multiple setbacks in his recovery that have pushed back his potential return date far longer than the Blue Jays anticipated. Though he had been part of the Blue Jays' closer mix prior to getting hurt, Merryweather's lengthy stint on the IL means that he may have to prove himself in a lower-leverage role upon returning before being trusted in bigger spots. Until Toronto figures out where Merryweather fits into their bullpen, he'll first have to steer clear of any further setbacks while facing hitters and eventually heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. He doesn't appear likely to be activated until late August or September.

Barnes (6-4) allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one to take the loss Sunday against the Blue Jays.

For the second time in the series against the Blue Jays, Barnes was on the mound for a gut-punch loss. He served up a walkoff home run to Marcus Semien in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, then ex-UConn teammate George Springer took him deep for a three-run shot in the eighth inning Sunday to wipe out all the good work Boston's offense did in a 9-8 loss. The Red Sox are coming apart at the seams right now, who lost of eight of 10 on a road trip, including six of seven to division rivals Toronto and Tampa Bay.

Barlow (4-3) earned the win Sunday versus St. Louis. He allowed two hits and struck out one without allowing a run in two-thirds of an inning.

Barlow wasn't great in this appearance, but all three runs that crossed the plate on his watch were inherited runners from Greg Holland. When Kansas City regained the lead after a rain delay in the ninth inning, Barlow ended up in line for the win. Through 52.2 innings, he's posted a 2.73 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 69:21 K:BB while adding six saves, 14 holds and three blown saves. The right-hander is likely to continue seeing high-leverage work despite allowing multiple baserunners in three of his last five appearances.

Tate allowed two runs on a hit and a walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning versus Tampa Bay on Sunday. He was charged with a blown save.

The right-hander entered the game in a difficult spot with one out and the bases loaded after a terrible appearance from Paul Fry. Tate then gave up a sacrifice fly, a walk and a grand slam to Brett Phillips, although only two runs were charged to Tate. The 27-year-old is expected to see more high-leverage outings over the last two months of the season, but he's now given up six runs over his last 1.2 innings across three appearances. His ERA is up to 4.82 with a 1.31 WHIP and 41:19 K:BB with two saves and five holds in 46.2 innings overall.

Trivino fired a scoreless ninth inning, walking one and striking out one to earn the save in the win over the Rangers on Sunday.

Trivino hasn't allowed any earned runs in his last five appearances and has surrendered only two runs in his last 14.1 innings. The 29-year-old hasn't blown a save since May 31, and he's 18-for-20 in save opportunities this year. He carries a 1.88 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 47 strikeouts in 52.2 innings.