MLB Player News
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Shawn Armstrong RP | TEX
Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Hangs on for save
Armstrong picked up the save Tuesday against Milwaukee, allowing one run on two hits and no walks across one inning. He didn't record a strikeout.
Armstrong inherited a two-run lead but surrendered a solo home run to Jake Bauers. He stranded the game-tying run at first base, getting Christian Yelich to line out with Jackson Chourio on base to end the contest. Armstrong has allowed a run in two of his last five appearances, a streak that followed 11.2 consecutive scoreless innings. He's up to eight saves on the year.
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Jeff Hoffman RP | TOR
Blue Jays' Jeff Hoffman: Nabs win in 10th inning
Hoffman (9-6) worked a perfect 10th inning Tuesday to pick up the win in a 4-3 victory over the Astros. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.
The Toronto closer was aided by an impressive defensive play by Vladimir Guerrero that erased the phantom runner, Jose Altuve, at third base for the first out, but Hoffman fired eight of 10 pitches for strikes in an efficient performance before Toronto won it in the bottom of the 10th. Hoffman's had a roller coaster of a season that includes serving up a stunning 14 homers in just 61.1 innings, but he may be finding his peak form at the right time for the Jays -- he's delivered five straight scoreless appearances, allowing three hits and a walk in five innings with three strikeouts.
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Bryan Abreu RP | HOU
Astros' Bryan Abreu: Blows save Tuesday
Abreu gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning Tuesday, getting charged with his fifth blown save of the season in a 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out two.
Called in to protect a 3-1 lead, Abreu loaded the bases on two walks and a single before serving up a two-run single to Isiah Kiner-Falefa with one out. It was the right-hander's first blown save in five chances since taking over the closer mantle from Josh Hader (shoulder) in early August, but it may only have been a matter of time before Abreu faltered -- he's been tagged for multiple runs in three of his last four appearances, bumping up his ERA on the season from 1.47 to 2.49.
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Cade Smith P | CLE
Guardians' Cade Smith: Picks up 12th save
Smith secured his 12th save of the season with a scoreless inning Tuesday, allowing one hit while striking out two in a 2-0 win over the Royals.
Smith was summoned after Joey Cantillo began the inning by allowing a leadoff base hit. A Bobby Witt single put runners on the corners with one out before Smith fired back with consecutive strikeouts to end the game. He's converted his last five saves and now has multiple strikeouts in each of his last three appearances. Smith's had another productive campaign, posting a 3.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 90:19 K:BB in 64.2 innings.
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Joey Cantillo SP | CLE
Guardians' Joey Cantillo: Pitches into ninth inning
Cantillo (5-3) got the win over the Royals on Tuesday after tossing eight scoreless frames while allowing just four hits and no walks. He struck out five.
Cantillo was phenomenal in what was just his third start of at least six innings pitched in his young career, and the second such start in his last two outings. Cantillo came back out for the ninth but was pulled after 92 pitches following a leadoff single by Kyle Isbel. Cantillo's velocity was notably up across the board, and he didn't issue a walk for the first time in his last seven appearances. Over his last four major-league starts, Cantillo owns a 1.09 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. He lines up for a road start against the Tigers next week.
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Pete Fairbanks RP | TB
Rays' Pete Fairbanks: Snares 25th save
Fairbanks picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox, throwing a perfect ninth inning. He did not record a strikekout.
Fairbanks snapped a streak of five consecutive outings allowing at least one hit. During that stretch, he surrendered four runs on nine hits, including three home runs, with eight strikeouts across five innings. Wednesday's save was Fairbanks' 25th of the campaign, tying his most saves in a season during his seven-year career. He has a 3.15 ERA in 54.1 innings this season.
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Andres Munoz RP | SEA
Mariners' Andres Munoz: Registers 34th save
Munoz secured the save Tuesday against the Cardinals, striking out one and allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.
Munoz recorded his 34th save of the season in his third straight scoreless outing. The All-Star right-hander owns a 1.63 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 71:25 K:BB through 55.1 innings on the campaign. Munoz is third in the major leagues in saves for the year, and he's established a strong grip on the Seattle closer role.
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Griffin Jax RP | TB
Rays' Griffin Jax: Opening Wednesday
Jax will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
With Ryan Pepiot unavailable for his scheduled start Wednesday due to fatigue, the Rays will turn to Jax to lead off what's expected to be a bullpen game. The 30-year-old right-hander has given up eight earned runs in just 12 innings since being acquired from the Twins at the trade deadline and isn't expected to pitch past the first inning during what will be his second opening assignment in seven days.
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Jonathan Bowlan RP | KC
Royals' Jonathan Bowlan: Opening Wednesday's contest
Bowlan will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The Royals are seemingly going to rely on their bullpen to get through Wednesday's contest, and they'll start by sending out Bowlan for the first handful of outs. The 28-year-old owns a 3.57 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 35.1 innings on the season and has five appearances of at least two innings, so there's a chance he remains in Wednesday's contest past the first frame before getting the hook.
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Drew Sommers P | DET
Tigers' Drew Sommers: Bolstering bullpen
The Tigers recalled Sommers from Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.
Bailey Horn was placed on the paternity list Tuesday, so Sommers will fill in for him. Sommers made his MLB debut Aug. 22 in his last stint with the Tigers that concluded Sept. 2. He saw just three innings of work and gave up six earned runs in that span.