MLB Player News

Giles didn't allow a baserunner and struck out two during the ninth inning to record his 21st save in a win over the Yankees on Friday.

The 28-year-old gave up a run in his prior outing, but he pushed his ERA back below 2.00 with his latest scoreless inning. Giles has pitched very well over the last month, posting a 2.08 ERA with six saves and no blown opportunities in his last 13 appearances. Overall, Giles is 2-3 with a 1.98 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 79 strikeouts in 50 innings this season.

Pagan blew the save after surrendering two runs on two hits while striking out one over one inning Friday against the Red Sox.

Pagan was called on in the top of the ninth inning with a two-run lead, but he'd give up a two-run homer to tie the game on the way to his eighth blown save of the 2019 campaign. Fortunately, his team would plate the winning run two innings later. The 28-year-old has now given up three runs in his last two outings (three innings), though he owns a 2.43 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 92 strikeouts over 66.2 innings this year.

Lakins will serve as the opener for Saturday's game against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Lakins figures to toss the first inning or two before handing the ball to the primary pitcher. The Red Sox have yet to announce who will work in that role.

May tossed a perfect ninth inning Friday, striking out all three batters he faced to earn his second save of the year in a 4-3 win over the Royals.

Both Taylor Rogers and Sergio Romo had made four appearances in the last week, so May was called on for this save. He did not disappoint, whiffing Ryan O'Hearn, Whit Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi in order. May has allowed three runs over 9.2 innings in September, right in line with his season ERA of 3.08. He's recorded a 76:25 K:BB and 15 holds in 61.1 innings this year.

According to manager Bob Melvin, Trivino has been dealing with an oblique and rib injury after "taking a spill" a week ago, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Trivino hasn't pitched since Saturday against Texas, and this injury explains why. Melvin did note that his right-hander has been feeling better in recent days, though his availability for Friday's matchup remains in question.

Hand (arm) is available to pitch Friday against the Phillies, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

This is big news for the Indians, who have been without their closer for close to two weeks now. An MRI on Hand's tired arm was negative, and the lefty "looked himself" in a bullpen session Wednesday per manager Terry Francona, clearing the way for his return.

Pressly (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros have their setup man -- one of the best in the game -- back in time to shake the rust before the postseason begins. Earlier in the year, Pressly set a major-league record with his 39th consecutive scoreless appearance (dating back to 2018), but his performance was up and down over the summer as he tried to battle through his knee issue.

Covey (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sept. 16.

Covey's stint on the injured list does not run through the final day of the regular season, so he technically has a chance to pitch again before September comes to a close. However, with the White Sox out of playoff contention, it's likely he will not pitch again until 2020.

Smeltzer is slated to work out of the bullpen for this weekend's series versus Kansas City with the Twins listing Randy Dobnak, Jose Berrios and Martin Perez as their probable starters Friday through Sunday,

Smeltzer and fellow rookies Dobnak and Lewis Thorpe made three consecutive starts last weekend in Cleveland, but only Dobnak looks like he'll stick around in the rotation as a replacement for the suspended Michael Pineda. The Twins enter Friday's game four games ahead of the Indians for the division lead and don't have a realistic chance to surpass either the Astros or the Yankees for the top two spots in the American League, which could prompt manager Rocco Baldelli to build in some rest for his starters during the final week of the regular season. If that's the case, Smeltzer would be one of the prime candidates to step in for a spot start.

Rogers pitched a perfect ninth inning against Kansas City on Thursday, striking out two batters to earn the save.

Rogers was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead and faced little resistance from the Royals, needing only 14 pitches to set the side down in order. The southpaw has blossomed in his first full season as a closer, converting 28 of 34 save opportunities while posting a 2.30 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 88:10 K:BB over 66.2 innings.