MLB Player News

Bummer allowed a solo home run and a walk over two innings to pick up the hold in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Cubs.

Bummer is fitting in quite nicely in the setup role he wrested away from an ineffective Kelvin Herrera, posting a 1.89 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 33.1 innings. The home run was just the second he's allowed in 2019.

Hendriks picked up the save against Seattle on Sunday, pitching one inning and allowing one hit while striking out one batter.

The All-Star closer continued his dominant season, allowing a two-out single but nothing more to pick up his fifth save. Despite initial indications that he would return to a setup role with the return of Blake Treinen from the IL, Hendriks has been handed the ball in each of the last two save situations. He may have simply earned the position over Treinen by compiling a streak of 16.2 consecutive scoreless innings, during which he has posted an eye-popping 28:2 K:BB.

Mengden (4-1) earned the win against Seattle on Sunday, completing 5.1 innings and giving up three runs on six hits while striking out two.

Mengden was given an early six-run lead and rolled to his third straight win by limiting the Mariners to single runs in the second, fourth, and sixth innings. His line may have been even better if not for Seattle catcher Omar Narvaez, who drove in all three runs scored against him. The 26-year-old began the season struggling with his control -- he walked 14 batters in his first 20.2 innings -- but has settled down to issue only two free passes in his last 19.1 frames. Mengden finishes the first half with a 4-1 record along with a 4.73 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB in 40 innings of work.

Smeltzer was optioned to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's game against the Rangers, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Smeltzer turned in a decent relief appearance in Sunday's loss to Texas, surrendering just one run over 4.1 innings, but he'll head back to the minors. The Twins will announce a corresponding move before the second half of the season begins.

Smeltzer yielded one run on five hits and a walk over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out four in the loss to Texas.

Smeltzer came into a scoreless contest in the second inning after Kyle Gibson acted as the opener. The rookie left-hander has been solid overall in limited MLB action this season, recording a 3.24 ERA and 13:4 K:BB over 16.2 innings. Smeltzer will likely head back to Triple-A Rochester over the All-Star break.

Thornton (3-6) secured the victory after allowing three hits and struck out five over six scoreless innings Sunday against the Orioles.

Thornton was sharp on the mound in the series finale, and he'd exit the contest with a 6-0 lead after firing 63 of 89 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old right-hander had given up 12 total runs over his last two starts (six innings) entering the day, but he was able to turn things around by turning in a quality start Sunday. Thornton will carry a 4.85 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 97 strikeouts over 94.2 innings into the All-Star break.

Leclerc allowed a run on three hits and a walk over 1.2 innings Sunday, striking out one batter as the opener in a win over Minnesota.

Leclerc kept the Twins off the board in the first, but a two-out RBI triple from Byron Buxton ended his afternoon. The 25-year-old owns a 4.65 ERA, and the Rangers seemingly are going to stick with Shawn Kelley as the closer to start the second half of the season.

Colome allowed a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday, securing the save over the Cubs.

Colome didn't strike anyone out, but he needed just eight pitches to get the job done Sunday. He owns a 2.02 ERA and a minuscule 0.70 WHIP with 20 saves this season.

Pagan struck out two without allowing a hit or a walk through a scoreless inning to record his fifth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Yankees on Sunday.

Pagan had his fastball working, forcing five swinging strikes out of the 11 he threw in a spotless ninth inning. With Jose Alvarado (oblique) on the injured list, Pagan could continue to get more save opportunities. Pagan has a 2-1 record with five saves and a 1.75 ERA through 33 appearances this season.

Soto (0-3) took the loss Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on three hits across two innings of work. He struck out one and did not issue a walk.

Soto threw 24 pitches out of the bullpen Friday, so the lefty wasn't asked to go long in this one, and he departed after throwing just 41 pitches. The 24-year-old has had a rough first half with an 8.14 ERA and 1.85 WHIP across 24.1 innings, but the rebuilding Tigers will likely continue to see what they have in Soto.