MLB Player News

Stephan pitched 2.1 perfect innings with three strikeouts in Friday's 6-3 loss to Houston.

The 25-year-old was able to settle things down after another rough start from Sam Hentges. Stephan has had some shaky performances of his own lately, allowing two runs in each of his prior two outings. The right-hander has a 4.31 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 37:18 K:BB across 31.1 innings while mainly working in a low-leverage role.

Hentges (1-3) took the loss versus Houston on Friday. He allowed six runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 2.2 innings.

For the second straight outing, a half-dozen runs were charged to Hentges. The southpaw continues to struggle in a starting role this year. Through 14 outings (seven starts), he's posted an 8.22 ERA, 2.06 WHIP and 41:22 K:BB across 38.1 innings. Hentges will likely stay in the rotation until one of Zach Plesac (thumb) or Shane Bieber (shoulder) is ready to come off the injured list. Hentges tentatively lines up to pitch versus Kansas City next week.

Pressly allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-3 win over Cleveland.

Pressly hasn't given up an earned run in his last 11 innings, collecting six saves and two wins in that span. The Houston closer has a strong 1.59 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 43:5 K:BB across 34 innings this season. He's now 13-for-14 in save chances and should continue to enjoy a fair amount of job stability in the ninth inning.

Iglesias (5-3) struck out two batters over 1.2 perfect innings and earned a win over the Orioles on Friday.

Iglesias needed just 17 pitches (14 strikes) to roll through five straight Orioles in Friday's victory. The veteran righty has been untouchable as of late, striking out 13 over seven perfect innings in his last five appearances. He's 1-0 with three saves during that span and has lowered his season ERA to 3.47.

Akin yielded four runs on seven hits and a walk over three innings in Friday's loss to the Angels. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

Most of the damage against Akin came via the long ball; he coughed up a two-run shot to Jose Iglesias in the second inning before serving up a solo homer to Shohei Ohtani in the third. The lone positive from Friday's outing is that he halted his four-start losing streak. In seven starts this season, the 26-year-old lefty owns an unsightly 7.92 ERA. Akin is currently lined up to face the Blue Jays at home next week.

Ottavino earned a save after allowing a hit in a scoreless 10th inning in Friday's win over Oakland.

After Matt Barnes blew a save chance in the ninth inning, Ottavino converted his sixth save of the year in the 10th. He gave up a single to Jed Lowrie before escaping the jam. The 35-year-old has converted six of his nine save opportunities this season and lowered his season ERA to 2.65.

Barnes (4-2) gave up a run and struck out two batters in one inning Friday, earning a win after blowing the save against Oakland.

Barnes coughed up a leadoff, game-tying homer to Elvis Andrus in the ninth inning. It was just the second long ball he's given up in his last 17 appearances. He had converted his previous four save chances and hadn't been charged with an earned run since June 15. His ERA bumped up to 2.75 with a 61:9 K:BB through 36 innings this season. Barnes has 18 saves in 22 opportunities.

Jax will start Saturday's game against the Royals, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Jax earned his first win in his last appearance, and he'll make his first career start in Saturday's contest. The right-hander has lasted at least 3.1 innings in each of his last three outings, so he could be able to handle a fairly significant workload against Kansas City if he can pitch effectively. Jax has posted a 7.82 ERA in 12.2 innings across his first four major-league appearances in 2021.

Patino was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino started Friday's game against the Blue Jays and allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out five in 5.1 innings to take the loss. He now carries a 1-2 record in the majors this year and will head back to the Triple-A club following his lackluster start. It's not yet clear whether he could be called back up to make another start prior to the All-Star break.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Lakins is dealing with a significant elbow injury, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Lakins exited Tuesday's game against the Astros with right elbow discomfort and was placed on the injured list a day later. While the exact nature of his injury isn't yet clear, he appears to be in line for an extended absence following Hyde's update. The Orioles haven't yet announced who could take Lakins' spot in the rotation going forward.