MLB Player News

Rogers allowed only one walk across 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save Tuesday against the Orioles.

Rogers relieved Alex Colome with two outs in the eighth inning to protect a two-run lead. He had little trouble doing so, though the tying run did reach base in the final frame after an error and walk. However, Rogers induced a groundout to end the game to secure his third save of the season. The Twins closer role appears to have devolved into a committee, though Rogers and Hansel Robles are likely to account for the majority of the team's saves for the time being.

Rodriguez (shoulder) completed a bullpen session Tuesday and could be activated from the injured list by the end of the week, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 23-year-old has thrown three bullpen sessions over the past week and appears to be in the final stages of his rehab before returning from the injured list. Rodriguez has a 2.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB through 15.2 innings this season, but he's been on the shelf since May 6 with right shoulder irritation.

Karinchak earned the save Tuesday after tossing a scoreless inning against the Tigers. He allowed one hit and a walk while striking out one.

It wasn't the sharpest outing for the right-hander, who actually allowed an inherited runner to score after starting pitcher Aaron Civale was pulled in the ninth. Regardless, Karinchak worked out of a bases-loaded jam to slam the door on Detroit, picking up his sixth save of the year. While he doesn't hold the closer title in Cleveland, the 25-year-old has posted spectacular numbers otherwise, compiling a 1.25 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 39:10 K:BB across 21.2 innings of work.

Swanson secured his second hold in a win over the Athletics on Monday, issuing a walk and recording three strikeouts.

Swanson got 11 of his 18 pitches into the strike zone while lowering his ERA to 0.77. The right-hander has put together five consecutive scoreless appearances, a stretch during which he's notched a pair of holds and an 8:3 K:BB over five innings.

Tate (hamstring) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Tate has been out since early May with a strained left hamstring strain. The Orioles have yet to decide how many rehab outings he'll need, but it's possible he returns to the team after just one.

Mejia (1-0) picked up the win in Monday's 6-5 victory over the Tigers, striking out one in a perfect inning of relief.

Making just his second big-league appearance, Mejia entered the game with the score tied 3-3 and wound up the pitcher of record for Cleveland when the team took the lead in the top of the seventh inning. This usage doesn't suggest he's being considered for a rotation spot anytime soon, but if he continues to pitch well, Mejia will work his way into a more prominent role on the staff.

Clase gave up a hit and two walks while striking out one over a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his eighth save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Tigers.

One of the free passes was intentional, but Clase still had one of his shakier appearances of the season even though he eventually emerged unscathed. The right-hander has been battling his control for a couple weeks, posting a 5:8 K:BB over his last 6.1 innings despite a 0.00 ERA, and as a result, James Karinchak has gotten two saves to Clase's one over that stretch. The duo will likely continue mixing and matching in the ninth inning unless one of them completely falls apart.

Hentges didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 6-5 win over the Tigers after allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

The left-hander left the game after 88 pitches (52 strikes) and was in line for his second loss before the Cleveland offense tied it up in the top of the sixth inning. There were still signs of progress, however, as Hentges put together his longest outing since moving into the rotation while establishing a new career high in strikeouts. He'll take a 62.0 ERA and 22:12 K:BB through 20.1 innings into his next start.

Valdez allowed three runs on three hits in one-third of an inning in Monday's 8-3 loss to Minnesota. He was charged with a blown save.

The 36-year-old avoided the loss Monday, but he allowed two inherited runners to score and put another three batters on base. Tyler Wells then proceeded to allow one of Valdez's runners to score as Baltimore's bullpen wasted a good start from John Means. In May, Valdez has yielded seven runs in 5.2 innings across seven appearances. The right-hander is 8-for-12 in save chances with a 3.93 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB across 18.1 innings overall. With rumors of a potential move away from closing duties, Valdez hasn't done much lately to show he should stay in a ninth-inning role.

Scott (2-3) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk with one strikeout in one-third of an inning versus Minnesota on Monday. He was charged with the loss.

Scott allowed two of the three batters he faced to reach base, and Cesar Valdez allowed both inherited runners to score. The second of those runs gave Minnesota the lead, leaving Scott with the loss. The 26-year-old has given up five runs (four earned) in his last two appearances. He has a 3.93 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 23:17 K:BB across 18.1 innings overall. The southpaw has added nine holds in 22 outings.