MLB Player News

Uceta struck out one over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Athletics.

Uceta received the first save opportunity since Pete Fairbanks (lat) went on the injured list Monday, and he went on to record his first major-league save. Uceta retired four batters on a total of nine pitches (seven strikes), extending his scoreless streak to 10.1 innings in the process. He emerged as a setup man after the All-Star break and now has a chance to be part of a closing committee that doesn't have a clear favorite to lead the way just yet. For the year, Uceta has a 0.90 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 36:4 K:BB over 30 innings. While he doesn't have stellar velocity -- he doesn't throw a four-seamer, and his fastest pitch is a 93.9 mph sinker -- Uceta continues to thrive mostly by inducing weak contact and getting batters to chase pitches at an above-average rate.

Jansen pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Astros.

Jansen was on the hook for a walk-off loss Monday, but he had no trouble protecting a one-run lead one day later. He needed just 12 pitches (eight strikes) for the save Tuesday. The veteran closer has allowed just one run while striking out nine over seven innings in August. He's up to 24-for-27 in save chances while pitching to a 2.78 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB over 45.1 innings this season.

Sammons (0-1) allowed three runs on four hits across 4.1 innings of relief to take the loss Tuesday against the Cubs. He walked three and struck out two.

The lefty followed opener Alex Faedo, though Sammons was less effective compared to his last time out, when he allowed just one run across 5.2 innings. He still has a solid 3.91 ERA across 23 innings this season, and the Tigers seem to like Sammons in a bulk role, so he could pick up some wins down the stretch if he pitches well.

Slaten (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Slaten threw a bullpen session Monday, and he's now slated to take the final step in his recovery from right elbow inflammation. It's unclear where Slaten will report to for his rehab assignment, but he likely won't require an extensive stay before ultimately returning to the Red Sox bullpen.

The Athletics selected Ginn's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Since being moved up to Las Vegas from Double-A Midland on May 11, Ginn posted a 5.72 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 72.1 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Despite his lackluster performance, Ginn will move up to the big leagues and join Oakland's pitching staff as a replacement for lefty Scott Alexander (shoulder), who was moved to the injured list. The 25-year-old Ginn has worked almost exclusively as a starter throughout his career in the minors, though he'll likely be used as a long reliever while in the big leagues.

The Athletics placed Alexander on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis.

Alexander has been a valuable member of Oakland's bullpen since he made his season debut in late May, and he's thrown 5.2 scoreless frames while striking out seven batters over his last six appearances. He'll now be held out until at least Sept. 2, and the A's will promote J.T. Ginn from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the open roster spot.

Harvey (back) suffered a setback in his recovery Tuesday and will be shut down from all activity for the next 2-to-3 days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Harvey received a cortisone injection Tuesday to help his back recover, and manager Matt Quatraro estimates that the 29-year-old reliever will be back to playing catch before the end of the week. He had been looking to rejoin the Royals' bullpen before the end of the month, though his setback will likely push his return into September.

Hamilton (lat) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Double-A Somerset, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Hamilton was able to throw two innings in a simulated game Tuesday without any issue, and he's now been given the green light to pitch in minor-league games this weekend. The 29-year-old righty has been on the injured list since June with a right lat strain and will likely require multiple appearances in the minors before rejoining the Yankees bullpen.

The Orioles recalled Tate from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

Tate will take Keegan Akin's (paternity list) spot in the bullpen temporarily. Tate has thrown 33.1 innings for Baltimore this season, logging a 4.59 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP with a 23:9 K:BB.

Faedo will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher during Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Faedo is expected to handle one or two innings before turning the game over to bulk reliever Bryan Sammons. Though Faedo has allowed just one run in 3.2 innings during August, he's walked eight batters in that span. He has a 3.72 ERA over 55.2 innings on the season.