MLB Player News

Lopez (2-12) allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk with four strikeouts in four innings Friday, taking the loss in a 12-1 defeat against the White Sox.

The righty now has a stunning nine losses in his last 10 decisions. Lopez did fairly well in limiting the White Sox to a pair of runs, but he required 87 pitches to complete the four frames before turning things over to the Orioles' bullpen, which proceeded to give up 10 runs. He's lasted six innings on just three occasions this season, so his likelihood of tallying a quality start and earning a win are similarly low in a given outing. Lopez also strikes out less than a batter per inning -- combined with the other factors, that makes him an entirely unappealing fantasy option after the All-Star break.

Brentz (2-2) allowed a walkoff solo home run and recorded his only out via strikeout while taking the loss Friday versus Cleveland.

Brentz was called upon to get the last out of the eighth inning, and he fanned Franmil Reyes. In the ninth, Bobby Bradley took the southpaw deep for Cleveland's second straight walkoff win over Kansas City. Brentz has hit a rough patch, allowing eight runs (seven earned) in his last nine innings. He still has a solid 2.95 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB across 39.2 innings, but he may see more lower-leverage assignments until he works through his recent struggles.

Clase allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in one inning, taking a blown save in Friday's 2-1 win over Kansas City.

After seven shutout innings from starter Triston McKenzie, Kansas City got a solo home run from Jorge Soler off Clase in the eighth. It's been a shaky end to the first half for Clase, who has given up seven runs (four earned) in his last five innings while taking two blown saves and two losses. The homer he allowed Friday was the first he's given up all year. The hard-throwing righty has a 1.72 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB across 36.2 innings, but further inconsistency could lead to James Karinchak getting more of the save chances.

Karinchak (6-2) allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning Friday, earning the win over Kansas City.

The right-hander kept Kansas City off the board in the top of the ninth inning, and Bobby Bradley walked it off for Cleveland to earn Karinchak his second win in as many days. The 25-year-old has a 2.52 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB through 39.1 innings this season. Emmanuel Clase took a blown save in the eighth inning Friday -- Karinchak seems to have a slight edge for closing duties lately, although it's expected the pair of relievers will continue to share the role.

Junis was placed on the 7-day injured list with Triple-A Omaha on Friday due to an undisclosed injury, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Junis was optioned to Omaha on June 6 after struggling to a 5.19 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 15 innings for the Royals. Things haven't gotten better for the right-hander following his demotion, as he's allowed 11 earned runs on 19 hits across 10.1 Triple-A innings. It's unclear what the 28-year-old is dealing with, but he won't pitch for at least the next seven days.

Trivino, who secured his sixth hold in a win over the Astros on Thursday, hasn't allowed an earned run in 23 of his last 24 appearances.

The hard-throwing right-hander has two wins, eight saves and three holds during that 24-inning span, a dominant stretch of relief that has endeared him to fantasy managers in all formats. Trivino coaxed his ERA back under 2.00 (1.96) with Thursday's scoreless frame against Houston, and it's worth noting his success has come despite a significant drop in strikeout rate to 22.4 percent from 2020's 28.0 percent figure.

Hall (elbow) is expected to begin a throwing program in two weeks, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The young lefty has been on the injured list at Double-A Bowie since June 16 with left elbow soreness, and it appears he's still not ready to return to game action. Hall will need some time to build his arm back up, so he's unlikely to be back before mid-August.

King was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with left shoulder inflammation.

King last pitched Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk across two relief innings. Per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, the shoulder injury isn't thought to be serious, and the Rangers tentatively plan to activate King to pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen July 20 against Detroit.

Hentges was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Hentges has struggled during his last three starts, allowing 16 earned runs on 17 hits across 10.1 innings. With the All-Star break offering the club rotation flexibility, there's a chance that Hentges could be brought back to the big leagues following the break, but that decision likely won't be made until some time next week. Triston McKenzie was recalled in a corresponding roster move to start Friday.

Rogers earned the save in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the Tigers, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth with one strikeout.

Manager Rocco Baldelli called on Rogers to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and the lefty delivered with his first save in nearly three weeks. In that time, co-closer Hansel Robles has three saves. The situation appears to be matchup dependent.