MLB Player News

Puk (shoulder) is progressing well through a throwing program at the Athletics' alternate training site in San Jose, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. "He feels good, so that's encouraging," manager Bob Melvin said. "I still have no timetable for him for when he gets on the mound or throws a bullpen."

The promising left-hander has reportedly been playing catch out to a distance of 60 feet. Puk landed on the 10-day injured list back on July 22 (retroactive to July 20), but he'll definitely be sidelined for a considerable amount of time beyond that based on the current pace of his rehabilitation.

Hernandez is one of the relievers manager Chris Woodward is considering as a closer in the absence of Jose Leclerc (shoulder), T.R. Sullivan reports.

When Leclerc was placed on the 45-day injured list, interest in possible replacements as a closer has surged. Woodward will not designate one arm as a closer and will deploy a closer-by-committee. He's leaning toward right-handers Hernandez and Edinson Volquez.

Cordero allowed one hit, hit a batter, and struck out three over 1.2 innings to register a hold in Friday's 3-2 win over the Royals.

Cordero made his most significant appearance of the season Friday, entering in the sixth inning with the White Sox clinging to a one-run lead. It was his fourth outing, the first three coming in the early innings when starters couldn't get deep. The 28-year-old right-hander fired 2.2 scoreless innings over the last three outings after ceding a pair of runs in the season opener.

Rogers worked a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 4-1 win over Cleveland.

The southpaw needed only five pitches to generate three weak groundballs to shortstop Jorge Polanco in an ultra-efficient performance. Those with fantasy shares in Rogers may have panicked a bit when Sergio Romo collected the first save of the year for Minnesota, but since then Rogers has demonstrated that he has a firm hold on the closer gig.

Andriese (0-1) allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out only one in 1.2 innings in a loss to the Astros on Friday.

Andriese's short outing Friday forced to Angels to dig deep into the bullpen, ultimately using nine total pitchers in the high-scoring battle with the Astros. It was Andriese's first start of the year -- he previously tossed 5.2 scoreless innings against the Athletics in relief of Shohei Ohtani on July 26. The bad outing inflated Andriese's ERA to 4.91 in 7.1 innings this season. He's expected to face the Rangers on the road next Friday in his next start.

Scrubb allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in one inning Friday, earning the save in a 9-6 win over the Angels.

Scrubb worked around a couple of baserunners to pick up his first major-league save in just his second appearance. He had a three-run cushion to work with, which may explain why Roberto Osuna wasn't used to close out Friday's game. The Astros' bullpen depth has been devastated by injuries early in 2020, so the 25-year-old Scrubb may be used in a versatile role in the short term.

Manaea (0-2) was charged with the loss against the Mariners on Friday after surrendering five runs (three earned) on six hits and striking out four across 4.1 innings.

Much like his last outing, Manaea came out strong for a few innings before suddenly losing his command. The 28-year-old retired the first nine batters until the fourth frame, when Seattle unleashed four hits, including a two-run double by Kyle Seager and an RBI single by Austin Nola. The Mariners continued to chip away in the fifth with another pair of hits before Manaea was pulled. Both his baserunners soon scored (unearned) runs at the hands of a throwing error by reliever J.B. Wendelken. On the bright side, Manaea did not issue any walks. The southpaw has now given up nine runs (seven earned) across nine innings so far this year. He'll look to bounce back Wednesday against Texas.

Colome struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Royals.

The right-hander fired 16 pitches (12 strikes) in finishing off Kansas City, getting Adalberto Mondesi to swing through a 94 mph fastball to end the night. Colome has produced at least 30 saves or holds in each of the last four seasons, and while he won't reach that total in a shortened 2020 campaign, the 31-year-old quietly may be one of the safer closing options in the league.

Sulser struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Rays.

Facing the team he made his big-league debut for last season, Sulser got Mike Zunino and Ji-Man Choi swinging before Brandon Lowe grounded out to first base to end the game. The unheralded 30-year-old appears to have earned manager Brandon Hyde's trust, and while Sulser doesn't have elite stuff, his 94 mph fastball, changeup and slider were good enough to consistently post K/9 rates in the double digits in the minors. Opportunity is the most important factor in the fantasy value of any reliever, and right now Sulser is getting opportunities in Baltimore.

Weber (0-2) allowed three runs on four hits and four walks while failing to record a strikeout over 3.1 innings as he was charged with the loss Friday against the Yankees.

After struggling in his season debut, Weber couldn't find a groove once again Friday, allowing two home runs prior to being pulled. Despite his early-season woes, manager Ron Roenicke expressed confidence in the right-hander after the game and said that he should maintain his spot in the rotation going forward. Weber's next start should come next Friday at home against the Blue Jays.