MLB Player News

Erceg gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his seventh save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Phillies.

The 29-year-old has staked a strong claim to the closer job in Kansas City, securing four of the team's last five saves and posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.44 WHIP and 15:0 K:BB through 11.1 innings since being acquired by the Royals at the trade deadline. James McArthur has turned things around in August with a 1.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB in 8.1 frames, but looking more comfortable in a lower-leverage role isn't going to get him back in the ninth-inning mix unless Erceg stumbles.

Yates struck out one batter in a perfect inning to earn a save over Cleveland on Friday.

Yates retired Cleveland's 8-9-1 hitters in order to preserve the 5-3 win. He suffered his first blown save of the year Aug. 18 but has since picked up a win and two saves while dealing three perfect frames. Yates pushed his ERA down to 1.28 with a terrific 71:22 K:BB through 49.1 innings. He's converted 23 of his 24 save chances this season.

Slaten (elbow) allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning for Double-A Portland on Friday.

Slaten kicked off a rehab assignment Friday and threw 17 pitches (eight strikes). The Red Sox haven't indicated whether the right-handed setup reliever will require additional rehab outings before he is activated.

Kimbrel (7-4) allowed two hits and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday over the Astros.

Kimbrel was brought into a low-leverage spot with the Orioles trailing by three runs in the eighth inning. He danced around some danger and became the pitcher of record when Baltimore rallied for five runs in its half of the frame. This was Kimbrel's sixth scoreless outing in his last 13 appearances, a lengthy run of erratic form that has cost him the closer job, which is now occupied by Seranthony Dominguez. Kimbrel is at a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 66:26 K:BB with 23 saves, six blown saves and four holds through 46.2 innings, and given his recent struggles, it's unlikely he get a lot of high-leverage looks in the near future.

Alexander allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one over 4.1 innings in a no-decision in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Dodgers.

After working as a bulk reliever his last time out, the Rays deployed Alexander in a traditional starting role Friday. The lefty was steady early on, but he ran into trouble in the fifth inning and exited the game after yielding a three-run home run to Enrique Hernandez. Alexander now maintains a 5.22 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 69:20 K:BB over 81 innings across 17 appearances (seven starts) this season. He is lined up to make his next appearance at Seattle, but it hasn't been revealed if he'll start or work behind an opener if he gets another turn through the rotation.

Holmes allowed a walk and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save against the Rockies on Friday.

Holmes was asked to protect a 3-0 lead in the ninth frame and did so on 19 pitches. The 31-year-old rebounded from a blown save in his last chance Sunday and has registered six scoreless outings in eight August appearances. On the season, he has 27 saves to go along with a 2.77 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 60:16 K:BB across 52 innings.

Foley threw a perfect inning to pick up a save against the White Sox on Friday.

Foley needed only four pitches to close out the 5-2 win. It was his first save since Aug. 15 and just his fourth since the start of July. Foley has turned in 8.2 straight frames without allowing an earned run, dropping his ERA on the year to 3.33 with a 33:16 K:BB through 46 innings.

Dominguez threw a scoreless inning to earn the save against the Astros on Friday.

Dominguez was called upon to protect a 7-5 lead in the ninth inning and did so on 19 pitches. Despite suffering back-to-back losses and yielding runs in three straight appearances entering Friday, the 29-year-old has converted all four of his save chances with the Orioles. He still appears to be the team's top choice for saves at the moment and owns a 4.31 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 55:15 K:BB across 48 innings this season, split between Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Green (4-3) picked up the win in Friday's 5-4 victory over the Angels, striking out one batter in one inning of relief.

Green pitched a clean ninth and got rewarded when Joey Loperfido and Addison Barger hit back-to-back homers in the bottom half of the frame to walk it off. The veteran right-hander has taken hold of Toronto's closer role and should remain in that spot the rest of the way. The 33-year-old has been electric since the middle of July, posting a 1.06 ERA over his last 16 appearances with eight saves.

Lambert underwent season-ending surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Lambert has been on the injured list all season after suffering a right rotator cuff strain during spring training, and he was pulled off his rehab assignment earlier this month after aggravating the injury. He has now elected to undergo surgery to address the issue, which will prevent him from pitching again this season. A timeline for his recovery has yet to be announced, so his availability for spring training next year is uncertain.