MLB Player News

Borucki, who climbed his way from High-A Dunedin to Triple-A Buffalo in 2017, finished the year with an impressive 2.93 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 157:36 K:BB through 27 games (26 starts) and 150.1 innings.

Entering this year, the left-hander had never moved beyond High-A during his first four professional seasons. That said, Borucki has managed a strong 3.32 ERA and 1.16 through 73 minor-league games, so he's proven capable of contributing at MiLB's higher levels. With more experience, and continued success, an MLB debut could be in the cards for Borucki next year.

Mengden (1-1) fired a complete-game, two-hit shutout while striking out six to earn the victory Friday against the Phillies.

Mengden had a two-run lead in the first inning, and never gave the Phillies a realistic chance to score while allowing just two runners to reach base in his complete-game victory. He's fired quality starts in each of his outings since joining the rotation on September 9, and he's definitely worth considering if fantasy owners need some pitching help at the season draws to a close. He'll make his next start Wednesday against the Tigers.

Pearson, the Jays' top pitching prospect, finished his first professional season with a 0.90 ERA and 0.60 WHIP in eight starts (20 innings).

The club's first-round selection in 2017 didn't disappoint, cruising through seven outings in the Northwest League and one appearance in the Gulf Coast League. Overall, opponents hit a measly .106 off Pearson, while the 6-foot-6 righty posted a strong 11.7 K/9. At 21 years old, he's sure to draw plenty of attention in dynasty drafts next spring.

Staumont wrapped up a disappointing 2017 minor-league campaign with a 6-12 record, 5.56 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over 26 games (124.2 innings).

The 6-foot-3 right-hander's stock crumbled during a year in which he opened as arguably the Royals' best pitching prospect. Things got so bad for Staumont at Triple-A Omaha that he was demoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas -- and the results weren't that much better at the lower level. His combined 138:97 K:BB is a good indication of what continues to be the 23-year-old's Achilles heel. Staumont was on the board to possibly compete for a rotation spot in 2018, but that opportunity was certainly lost after his atrocious 2017 campaign.

Scott is expected to be called up by the Orioles this weekend, MASN reports.

Scott is considered one of the top prospects in the Orioles' organization, so the team decided his addition to the roster for the stretch run wouldn't hurt. He worked as a starter this year, but the Orioles monitored his innings, so it's likely he will work out of the bullpen with the big club.

Manager Paul Molitor said it is "probably a good bet" that Belisle will be unavailable Friday, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Belisle threw 12 pitches Thursday after throwing 16 the day before, neither of which are extreme numbers. However, he did throw 1.2 innings Wednesday and blew a save Thursday, so it seems Molitor will avoid using him Friday if possible. Most of the Twins' top setup men also pitched both of the last two days, so there a number of ways Molitor could go if the Twins wind up in a save situation Friday night.

Giles pitched a scoreless eighth inning, striking out one in the Astros' 5-2 win over the Angels on Thursday.

With Houston leading 4-1 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, manager A.J. Hinch called for his closer because the Angels had the top of the order due up, including Mike Trout. Hinch has been receptive to using Giles in situations other than than the ninth inning, particularly when the stakes are high. Giles could have stayed in the game to pick up the save in the ninth, but Hinch didn't want to waste those bullets on a two-inning save, preferring to have the closer at full availability entering the weekend.

Belisle allowed a solo home run to blow his fourth save of the season Thursday against Toronto.

The Twins ended up winning in extra innings to bail out their closer. Belisle has converted seven of nine save opportunities with a 3.29 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 11.2 K/9 through 13.2 innings since taking over the closer job. With the Twins fighting for a playoff berth, Belisle should have a few more chances to pad the saves column over the final weeks of the season.

Maurer (2-2) failed to get an out while being tagged with the loss Thursday after allowing a run on two hits and a walk in the bottom of the 10th inning vs. the Indians.

Maurer became the 22nd straight victim of the Indians' historic winning streak with a terrible effort Thursday. Since being acquired from the Padres in July, the former closer has been nothing short of terrible. In 23 appearances for Kansas City, Maurer owns an 8.34 ERA and a 2.29 WHIP through 18.1 innings.

Junis pitched 5.2 innings, allowing one run on seven hits and a walk while striking out one in a no-decision Thursday against Cleveland.

Junis turned over a 2-1 lead to the bullpen that was squandered with two outs in the ninth inning. Facing a team that entered Thursday on a record-breaking 21-game winning streak, Junis delivered a strong performance that dropped his ERA to 4.15, its lowest point since May 21. The 24-year-old righty continues to turn in solid efforts, and is now 5-0 with a 2.99 ERA over his last nine games dating back to June 29. Junis will look to continue the positive trend when he takes the hill for his next start Wednesday in Toronto.