MLB Player News
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Mason Montgomery P | TB
Rays' Mason Montgomery: Optioned after poor relief outing
The Rays optioned Montgomery to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.
Montgomery was dinged for five runs while recording just two outs in Wednesday's loss to the White Sox, and he finds himself back in the minors a day later. The Rays are adding a couple fresh relief arms after a bullpen game Wednesday.
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Sawyer Gipson-Long SP | DET
Tigers' Sawyer Gipson-Long: Handling bulk role Thursday
Gipson-Long is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Tyler Holton in Thursday's game against the Yankees, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Gipson-Long filled a starting role last week following his promotion from Triple-A Toledo, but he didn't impress in his outing against the Mets, taking a loss while allowing six earned runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. The Tigers will keep Gipson-Long in the rotation for another turn, but the team will hope to get better results from him by using him out of the bullpen. Holton is likely to work just one or two innings before giving way to Gipson-Long, who should cover multiple frames.
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Justin Slaten RP | BOS
Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Struggles continue
Slaten allowed two runs on two hits and one walk over a third of an inning in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Athletics.
Slaten entered with Boston up a run and loaded the bases before getting the hook (10 pitches, four strikes). He was replaced by Steven Matz, who allowed a two of those inherited runners to score. Slaten was expected to be a bullpen asset when the Red Sox activated him from the injured list in late August, but the right-hander has been pummeled in six outings. Slaten has allowed seven runs on 12 hits and two walks over 5.1 innings.
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Tyler Gilbert RP | CHW
White Sox's Tyler Gilbert: Nabs one-out save
Gilbert struck out in one-third of an inning for the save Wednesday against the Rays.
It's worth noting Jordan Leasure worked the seventh inning Wednesday, which created the opportunity for Gilbert to tally the first save of his career. It's possible the last-place White Sox will continue to mix and match their ninth-inning options, which would further make this a situation to avoid for most fantasy managers. Through 43 innings this season, Gilbert has a 4.40 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 39:21 K:BB.
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Tyler Holton RP | DET
Tigers' Tyler Holton: Opening Thursday's contest
Holton will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Holton will receive his sixth opening assignment of the season Thursday and his first since July 2. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a 3.86 ERA and 1.12 WHIP through 67.2 frames, and he likely will remain in the game for just an inning or two before turning the ball over to Sawyer Gipson-Long, who is expected to work in a bulk-relief role.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Locks down 39th save
Estevez picked up the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Guardians, tossing a perfect ninth inning.
Called upon in the ninth to protect a one-run lead, Estevez extended his scoreless streak to 10 appearances while converting his MLB-leading 39th save of the season. The veteran right-hander is now on the verge of becoming just the eighth Royal to ever reach the 40-save mark in a single campaign and the first since 2014. Estevez has been a model of consistency at the back end of Kansas City's bullpen, posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB across 62.1 innings this year.
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Bryan Abreu RP | HOU
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Bounces back with fifth save
Abreu picked up the save Wednesday against Toronto, striking out one in a clean ninth inning.
One night after blowing a save against the Blue Jays, Abreu rebounded with his fifth save of the season Wednesday. The hard-throwing right-hander has fanned at least one in nine consecutive outings, and he remains in position to close out the regular season as Houston's stopper in the absence of closer Josh Hader (shoulder). Through 66 frames this year, Abreu has a 2.45 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 101:29 K:BB.
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Grant Taylor RP | CHW
White Sox's Grant Taylor: Leaves with injury
Taylor was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rays with a right groin strain.
The White Sox turned to Taylor in a save situation Wednesday, but he had to come out of the game after throwing just seven pitches with decreased velocity. The White Sox will further evaluate him Thursday, at which point more details regarding the severity of his injury may be revealed. If he requires a stint on the IL, his absence could lead to more high-leverage work for Brandon Eisert or Steven Wilson going forward.
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Kenley Jansen RP | LAA
Angels' Kenley Jansen: Notches 27th save
Jansen struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 27th save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Twins.
The veteran closer has converted 12 straight save chances since the beginning of July, posting a 1.37 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 26:7 K:BB in 26.1 innings over that stretch while also adding four wins. Jansen is up to 474 saves for his career, leaving him four behind Hall of Famer Lee Smith for third place on the all-time list.