MLB Player News

The Twins recalled Smeltzer from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Smeltzer has bounced between the big-league team and Triple-A all season, with his last appearance for the Twins coming on Aug. 15. He's worked both out of the rotation and the bullpen, racking up a 4.00 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 27 strikeouts across 36 innings of work. He's likely to serve as a reliever capable of working multiple innings but could factor into the rotation with Kyle Gibson (ulcerative colitis) landing on the injured list Sunday.

Graterol had his contract selected by the Twins on Sunday.

Graterol spent most of the season with Double-A Pensacola, working primarily as a starter and racking up a 1.78 ERA with 49 strikeouts and 21 walks across 50.2 innings. He most recently pitched out of the bullpen with Triple-A Rochester, a role he's likely to fill with the Twins. Known for the velocity on his fastball, Graterol could immediately rack up a notable amount of strikeouts at the major-league level.

Lopez didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Orioles, giving up four runs on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings while striking out six.

The right-hander labored to record 14 outs, tossing only 46 of 82 pitches for strikes, and Lopez exited the game on the hook for his eighth loss of the year before Kansas City rallied in the late innings. Lopez is expected to take his 6.61 ERA and 95:38 K:BB through 98 innings back to the bullpen once Danny Duffy (hamstring) rejoins the rotation in September.

Burke had a no-decision Saturday, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over six innings in a 3-2 win over the Mariners.

Burke turned in another quality start, his third in three tries since joining the Rangers. He becomes the first Texas pitcher to work six-plus innings while holding opponents to two runs or fewer in his first three starts. The left-hander with a 1.50 ERA will look for his first win Friday in Baltimore.

Lopez (8-12) allowed six runs on six hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning and was handed the loss Saturday to the Braves.

Lopez nearly got out of the first inning with one run allowed, but a Tyler Flowers infield chopper bounced off the third base bag, giving him enough time to beat the throw. Three more hits followed and Lopez was done. Chicago's most consistent starter in 2018 has had trouble this season but appeared to have righted himself since the All-Star break. Lopez pitched to a 2.82 ERA in nine starts following the break before Saturday's short outing. He's next scheduled to throw Thursday on the road against the Indians.

Pagan had one strikeout and didn't allow a baserunner as he recorded the final two outs to earn the save Saturday against Cleveland.

Pagan never should have been needed Saturday as the Rays started the eighth inning with a 9-2 lead, but he was nonetheless called upon to finish the game and did so with only eight pitches. The 28-year-old has converted 16 of 23 save opportunities with a 2.34 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 81:12 K:BB over 57.2 innings.

Beeks (6-3) earned the win Saturday against the Indians after allowing four hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out one and walked none.

Beeks worked as the primary pitcher Saturday but had to enter with a runner on first base during the second inning, and he ended up with his shortest outing since June 21 despite not giving up a run. The 26-year-old has a 4.41 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 82:37 K:BB through 98 innings and should next pitch during the four-game set against the Blue Jays next weekend.

Brasier (2-4) was charged with six runs on five hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss against the Angels on Saturday.

Brasier entered the contest in the eighth inning with a 4-3 lead, but the Angels opened the inning with three consecutive singles. Brasier left with two men on base, and his replacement, Josh Smith, allowed a three-run homer to tack on some more damage to Brasier's line. The right-hander had allowed only one run over his previous seven innings entering Saturday's contest. He now has a 5.06 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 49:18 K:BB in 48 innings this season.

Johnson allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three over four innings Saturday. He did not factor into the decision in the 10-4 loss to the Angels.

Johnson ultimately pitched the most innings for the Red Sox in the bullpen day, and he was in line for a win before Ryan Brasier's implosion in the eighth inning. This was Johnson's first appearance from the bullpen since it was announced he was exiting the rotation upon the return of David Price (wrist). Johnson has a 6.55 ERA and 1.91 WHIP with 25 strikeouts in 33 innings this year across 13 appearances (seven starts).

Taylor pitched a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out two in Saturday's 10-4 loss to the Angels.

As the opener, Taylor did not factor into the decision despite the rocky start to the game. The southpaw lowered his ERA to 3.07 while his WHIP rose to 1.24 after the appearance. He has a 53:15 K:BB in 41 innings this season.