MLB Player News

Leclerc picked up the save against the Rays on Thursday, working around a walk to toss a scoreless ninth inning and close out a 6-4 victory for the Rangers. He didn't record a strikeout.

The right-hander gave up a run in his last appearance, but he managed a scoreless effort this time out and nabbed his 13th save of the season in 17 opportunities. His 4.10 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 63.2 innings remain unspectacular, but Leclerc has now converted five straight save opportunities and figures to continue to serve as the Rangers' primary ninth-inning option.

Hendriks earned the save against Houston on Thursday, pitching one scoreless inning and giving up one hit and one walk while striking out two.

Hendriks made things interesting by allowing the first two batters he faced to reach base, but a crucial strikeout of George Springer followed by a flyout and another whiff helped the 30-year-old preserve his 21st save. Hendriks went through a rough patch at the end of July in which he blew three out of four save opportunities but has recovered to convert 12 of 13 chances since the start of August. He has been a revelation in his first season as a closer, posting a 1.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 114:20 K:BB in 78.1 innings.

Kahnle (wrist) surrendered two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over one innings in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Kahnle hadn't pitched since Saturday due to right wrist tendinitis, but he was able to return to the mound for the nightcap. After struggling through his outing, he hurt his hand on a sunflower seeds bin in the dugout, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, which warranted further evaluation by team trainers. The Yankees have yet to issue an update on the right-hander's status.

Lopez (4-7) allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out two across 5.1 innings to earn the win Thursday against the White Sox.

Lopez was in trouble throughout his start, allowing multiple baserunners in four of the six innings he pitched. However, he managed to work out of danger and has now allowed only two earned across his last two starts -- spanning 11.1 frames. Still, for the season he owns a 6.09 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 109.1 innings. He's scheduled to take the ball next Tuesday at Oakland.

Green (4-4) received the win after surrendering one run on a hit and a walk while striking out two over 2.1 innings in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against Detroit.

Green was called on with two outs in the fifth inning, and he ultimately took home the victory after giving up just one run in the seventh on a groundout to shortstop. The 28-year-old right-hander owns a 4.57 ERA with 83 strikeouts over 63 innings this season following Thursday's relief appearance.

Palumbo (thumb) threw a simulated inning Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Palumbo has been sidelined since Aug. 20 with a blister. This is a step in the right direction for the 24-year-old lefty, who could return to action as soon as Saturday, per Grant. If and when Palumbo returns this season, he'll likely pitch in shorter stints of one or two innings.

Karinchak's contract was purchased from Triple-A Columbus prior to Friday's game against the Twins, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The top relief-pitching prospect yet to make his big-league debut, Karinchak has logged comically absurd strikeout rates thanks to some deception, a bulldog mentality and pretty good stuff. The 23-year-old righty has a 2.67 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 74:17 K:BB in 30.1 innings, primarily at Double-A and Triple-A. With Brad Hand (arm) day-to-day, it's possible that Karinchak could immediately figure into the ninth-inning equation. He saved eight games in eight opportunities in the minors. While he should already be rostered in dynasty leagues, Karinchak has a chance to be valuable over the final 15 games of the season if his stuff translates.

Beeks recorded two outs but was charged for four runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks in relief Wednesday in the Rays' 10-9 loss to the Rangers. He was not involved in the decision.

Beeks was the first reliever to enter the contest behind opener Andrew Kittredge, but Austin Pruitt (3.1 scoreless innings) effectively functioned as the Rays' primary pitcher. Pruitt likely would have been first in line after Kittredge had the latter not failed to retire any of the three hitters he faced, prompting manager Kevin Cash to turn to Beeks as a de facto second opener. Beeks didn't fare much better than Kittredge and looks unlikely to recapture a meaningful role as a primary pitcher or traditional reliever anytime soon. The recent returns of Tyler Glasnow from the injured list and Brendan McKay from Triple-A Durham have lessened the Rays' need to rely on Beeks.

Pruitt allowed one hit over 3.1 scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's loss to the Rangers. He struck out one batter and did not issue a walk.

Andrew Kittredge and Jalen Beeks combined to allow five runs in the first inning, but Pruitt's strong performance allowed the Rays to claw back into it (they actually took an 8-7 lead in the fourth before the Rangers pulled ahead again in the seventh). Pruitt now has a 0.66 ERA and 11:1 K:BB in his last three appearances (two starts), spanning 13.2 innings. With two off days next week, Pruitt figures to remain in a multi-inning relief role for the time being.

Kittredge allowed three earned runs on three hits without recording an out as the opener against the Rangers on Wednesday. He did not record any walks or strikeouts and did not factor into the decision.

Kittredge facilitated a quick Rangers comeback from an early 2-0 deficit by falling flat over 20 pitches to open the contest. Kittredge allowed an RBI single to Willie Calhoun before exiting, and the runs that subsequent singles Nomar Mazara and Danny Santana drove in on singles off Jalen Beeks went on Kittredge's ledger as well. The right-hander had allowed just one earned run over his prior four appearances, but Wednesday's meltdown served as his eighth outing with multiple earned runs allowed since the All-Star break.