MLB Player News

The Twins reinstated Okert (personal) from the bereavement list Monday.

Right-hander Randy Dobnak was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster for Okert, who was away from the team for the past week while tending to the personal matter. Okert has mostly operated as a middle-relief arm for the Twins this season, logging a 4.45 ERA and 1.48 WHIP to go with three wins, one save and six holds over 30.1 innings.

The Twins optioned Dobnak to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Dobnak wasn't going to be available for at least a day or two after throwing three scoreless relief innings in Sunday's loss to the Guardians. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster to left-hander Steven Okert (personal), who was reinstated from the bereavement list.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Friday that Romano (elbow) is "progressing well" and is "feeling good" following his July 3 arthroscopic surgery, but the right-hander has yet to restart a throwing program, MLB.com reports.

After being placed on the injured list June 1 due to a right elbow inflammation, Romano twice had his throwing program shut down before he eventually required a procedure to repair an impingement. Though the Blue Jays seem satisfied with Romano's condition five weeks after surgery, he likely won't be rushed back into action, especially with Toronto out of playoff contention. Romano hasn't been ruled out from pitching again this season, but once he starts throwing again, the Blue Jays will have to wait and see how the 31-year-old's elbow responds before mapping out a potential target date for his return from the IL.

Waguespack (shoulder/back) is hopeful to resume throwing bullpen sessions by Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Initially placed on the injured list May 6 with right rotator cuff inflammation, Waguespack was cleared to make a rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 25, only to fall victim to a lower-back issue that has kept him from pitching in a game ever since. He received injections Aug. 5 to address the back issue, and assuming the shots had the desired effect, Waguespack will take the next step forward in his throwing program by getting back on the mound this week. Even though the Rays likely envision Waguespack serving as a multi-inning reliever rather than a starter when he returns from the IL, he'll still likely need multiple weeks to complete a throwing progression and minor-league rehab assignment.

Fairbanks picked up the save Sunday against Baltimore, allowing one hit and no walks with three strikeouts across a scoreless ninth inning.

Fairbanks pounded the strike zone, as 12 of his 14 pitches were strikes. The 30-year-old has racked up eight consecutive scoreless innings, with two hits and no walks allowed during that stretch. He's 23-for-25 in save opportunities this season and has a 2.74 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 42.2 innings.

Kimbrel (6-4) took the loss Sunday against Tampa Bay, allowing one run on no hits and three walks (one intentional) across one inning. He struck out two.

Kimbrel entered Sunday's contest in the eighth inning with the score tied 1-1 but couldn't keep the Rays off the board, winding up with the loss. He struggled to find the strike zone early, walking leadoff hitter Brandon Lowe on six pitches and walking Christopher Morel on four pitches a batter later. Kimbrel couldn't hold either baserunner, with Lowe immediately taking second, before a double-steal left Morel and Lowe in scoring position. Looking for a double-play ball, Kimbrel intentionally walked Josh Lowe. However, Curtis Mead delivered the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly. Kimbrel has surrendered at least one run in four of his last seven appearances and hasn't generated a save since July 7. The Orioles have looked elsewhere during the ninth inning in the wake of the 36-year-old's inconsistency, as Seranthony Dominguez picked up the save Saturday even though Kimbrel hadn't pitched in three days.

Triple-A Durham placed Sterner on its 7-day injured list Saturday with an unspecified injury.

Sterner hasn't pitched since Aug. 3 due to an unspecified injury or illness. The right-hander made appearances out of the Tampa Bay bullpen on May 31 and June 4 but has otherwise spent the 2024 season at Durham, producing a 3.76 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 45:16 K:BB in 40.2 innings.

Foley did not appear in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Giants, with Will Vest earning the save instead.

Foley last pitched Friday and before that Wednesday, so he seemingly should have been available for the save opportunity Sunday. Instead, Vest was used and earned his first save of the season. Foley leads the Tigers with 15 saves, but he's also struggled a bit recently, as he has a 5.68 ERA and 1.74 WHIP since the beginning of July. Foley has a tenuous hold on the closer role, and with six Detroit relievers now having saves this year, it's a fairly murky bullpen situation at this point.

Vest worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and secure the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Giants. He struck out one.

Vest blew a save in his last appearance Thursday when he allowed two runs while retiring only two batters. The veteran righty bounced back with a better performance Sunday to earn his first save of the season. Jason Foley leads Detroit with 15 saves, but he wasn't used in Sunday's game after last pitching on Friday. Six players on the Tigers now have saves this year after Vest recorded his first, making this a murky bullpen at best currently.

Clase allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Twins.

Clase allowed multiple baserunners for the first time since July 9. He loaded the bases with no outs, then got Willi Castro to strike out and Trevor Larnach to ground into a double play to end the threat. The save was Clase's 35th of the season, keeping him comfortably in second in the majors behind only St. Louis' Ryan Helsley (37). Clase doesn't often give up much either -- he has a 0.66 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 47:7 K:BB through 54.1 innings this season. Since he's pitched consecutive days, he may not be available for a save opportunity Monday versus the Cubs, which could lead to a rare chance for Cade Smith, Scott Barlow or Hunter Gaddis.