MLB Player News

Seymour (9-4) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out eight.

Seymour had trouble keeping the ball in the park Thursday, serving up a season-high three home runs. The left-hander didn't quite last long enough to push for what would have been his fourth straight quality start, but on a positive note he's now recorded at least seven punchouts in four straight outings. Seymour will try to reduce the hard contact in Detroit his next time out, carrying a 4.17 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and an especially strong 123:32 K:BB over 101.1 innings.

Black struck out a batter and allowed two earned runs on two hits and three walks in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Athletics.

For a third consecutive appearance since being called up from Triple-A Omaha on Aug. 7, Black ended up covering multiple innings in relief behind starter Daniel Lynch. The two pitchers' schedules have been intertwined while Lynch has gradually been building up his pitch count after making the in-season transition from relieving to starting, but Black could soon be ready to handle a more flexible relief role. Lynch tossed four innings and 45 pitches Tuesday and could be ready to handle five or six innings when his turn in the rotation comes up again Sunday versus the Tigers.

Sulser (back) threw a clean inning for Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, per MLB.com.

Sulser started a minor-league rehab assignment, the final step before rejoining Tampa Bay's bullpen. The right-hander is recovering from lower-back spasms and should make his return before the end of August, barring any setbacks.

Blackburn notched a hold against the Orioles on Wednesday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Blackburn worked as the final bridge to closer David Bednar, entering in the eighth inning with New York up 5-3. The veteran right-hander got into a bit of trouble in yielding a one-out single and issuing a two-out free pass, but he got out of the jam by inducing a Leody Taveras popout. The scoreless frame earned Blackburn a hold for the second straight day and extended his streak of scoreless outings to 10 (spanning 11.1 innings). Blackburn has five holds during that span after registering just two holds across his initial 38 appearances of the campaign. He's earned the higher-leverage opportunities with what is tracking to be easily a career-best season that includes a 1.80 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB across 70 frames over 48 outings.

Mantiply (knee) began a rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin on Wednesday, striking out one in a perfect inning.

It was the left-hander's first outing in more than three months, as he's been working his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Mantiply will likely need at least a couple more rehab appearances before rejoining the Blue Jays' active roster.

Hader walked one and struck out none in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Angels.

Hader's scoreless streak is up to 13.2 innings, and he has a 13:3 K:BB with seven saves and a win in that span. The closer has been excellent this season, converting all 18 of his save chances. He's maintained a 0.87 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB through 31 innings.

Baker threw a perfect ninth inning to notch the save Wednesday against Toronto. He struck out one.

The All-Star closer continued his masterful campaign, turning in his 25th consecutive save Wednesday. He's been scored upon just one time in his last 18 outings, as well. Baker sports a 1.44 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 56:16 K:BB with an MLB-leading 36 saves in 39 attempts across 50 innings this year.

Munoz earned the save in Wednesday's 7-5 win over the Brewers, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Munoz was called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on just nine pitches. The 27-year-old has now converted back-to-back save chances following a blowup appearance Friday, and he's held opponents scoreless in nine of 12 outings since the All-Star break. On the year, he's 23-for-30 in save opportunities to go along with a 4.27 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 73:18 K:BB across 46.1 innings.

Bednar struck out one in a clean ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Orioles.

The 31-year-old closer continues to put his shaky start to the season in the rear-view mirror. Since the beginning of June, Bednar has a shiny 0.84 ERA and 0.56 WHIP to go with a 35:7 K:BB covering 32.1 innings. He's blown just one save during that span, now holding a 2.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 64:18 K:BB in 56.1 innings with 29 saves (32 chances) for the season.

Natera said Wednesday that he's managing a tight back and is day-to-day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Natera hasn't made an appearance out of the Angels bullpen since Aug. 11, though he was available for most of last week before he tweaked his back Saturday. He noted prior to Wednesday's game against the Astros that he hadn't done any throwing before the contest to test out his back, so the Angels may look to stay away from him for another day or two. Natera has emerged as one of the Angels' top relievers since being called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on June 5, gathering three saves, four holds and one win over 23 appearances while turning in a 2.00 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB across 27 innings.