MLB Player News

Barnes (1-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out one to blow the save and take the loss Saturday against the Orioles.

Barnes was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning. The save chance had a higher degree of difficulty considering a runner began on second base, but he also struggled to find the strike zone, allowing one run to score on a wild pitch and also issuing a free pass. After a successful save conversion Friday, Barnes has worked in the closer role since Brandon Workman was dealt and should get the majority of save chances going forward, unless he runs into consistent struggles in the role.

Banda (1-0) picked up the win Saturday in a 2-1 extra-inning victory over the Blue Jays, walking one batter in a scoreless 10th inning.

The southpaw was the seventh pitcher of the night for the Rays, and while Banda made things interesting by walking Cavan Biggio to lead off the 10th, he eventually cleaned up the mess by coaxing an inning-ending double play out of Travis Shaw. Banda has appeared in two games since being added to the roster and has collected a win and a three-inning save, but he doesn't seem a likely candidate for consistent high-leverage usage.

Lopez allowed two earned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out four across 3.1 innings Saturday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Lopez was fairly sharp in his return from a shoulder injury that caused him to miss nearly four weeks. He did struggle with his command, hitting and walking the first two batters he faced in the second inning, both of whom ultimately came around to score. Lopez managed to throw 50 pitches in his first start since July 26, racking up five swinging strikes and 11 called strikes. He should be able to increase his workload a bit for his next outing, currently projected to come Friday against Kansas City.

Bass (1-1) took the loss Saturday as the Blue Jays fell 2-1 to the Rays in 10 innings, allowing an unearned run on a hit and an intentional walk in two-thirds of an inning.

Brought in to get the final out of the ninth inning in a tie game, Bass returned for the 10th but couldn't hold Tampa at bay with the speedy Manuel Margot beginning the frame at second base. Despite the stumble, the right-hander still has a 2.13 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 12.2 innings, but manager Charlie Montoyo's recent usage of him suggests Bass is just one of the high-leverage arms, along with Jordan Romano and perhaps a couple others, who could get regular save chances for Toronto over the final part of the season.

Both Coulombe and Sean Poppen were added to the Twins' active roster Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Coulombe has already seen limited action at the major-league level over a span of seven years. The left-hander was most recently a part of the Athletics in 2018, when he registered a 4.56 ERA along with a 26:11 K:BB across 23.2 innings. He's a viable option as a middle reliever, at best.

Littell (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Littell left Friday's loss to the Royals with right elbow inflammation. While manager Rocco Baldelli initially said that he didn't believe the injury was serious, Littell will be sidelined for at least 10 days. Sean Poppen and Daniel Coulombe were added to the active roster Saturday.

Hamilton (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and optioned to the White Sox's alternate training site Saturday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Hamilton was able to return from the injured list after spending just 10 days sidelined, but he'll continue to work at the team's alternate training site going forward. The right-hander struggled in his relief appearance prior to being placed on the injured list and carries a 4.50 ERA and 2.25 WHIP through four innings this season.

Thornton will start Sunday against the Rays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton started Game 2 of a doubleheader Thursday, but he was roughed up over two-thirds of an inning. As a result, he'll be able to start on short notice for the team's series finale in Tampa Bay. It's unclear whether he'll face any workload limitations Sunday, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him near his full pitch count if he's effective.

Puk (shoulder) is scheduled to throw to hitters Monday and will do so again at least one more time before rejoining the A's bullpen, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Puk just threw a bullpen session Friday, and apparently the session went according to plan as the 2016 first-round pick will throw live at-bats Monday and then at least once more before an official promotion to the 28-man active roster.

Loaisiga was one of three pitchers mentioned by Yankees manager Aaron Boone on Saturday as candidates to replace James Paxton (forearm) in the rotation, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Paxton hit the injured list Friday and is expected to miss at least two weeks, so the team will need to select a replacement when his spot in the rotation comes back up. The decision may not be made for some time with the Yankees' weekend series against the Mets cancelled due to coronavirus concerns, but Loaisiga was named as an early candidate for the role along with Michael King and Nick Nelson. Loaisiga has some experience as a starter -- he has opened in 10 of his 30 big-league appearances -- though he has not exceeded four innings in any outing since 2018.