MLB Player News

Fairbanks picked up the save Wednesday against Miami, striking out one over a perfect inning.

Fairbanks tossed a perfect inning for the second consecutive night and extended his streak of appearances without an earned run to 12. He's allowed just seven hits and two walks during that stretch with 11 punchouts. Despite a nearly three-week IL stint, Fairbanks has eight saves in nine attempts and owns a 3.32 ERA overall.

Miller allowed one run on one hit and one walk with one strikeout over 1.2 innings, earning the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

Miller was strong, aside from a 102.5 mph pitch that Julio Rodriguez took out of the yard in the ninth inning. This was Miller's first outing since his blown save versus the Rays last Thursday. The flamethrower has been tagged for eight runs (five earned) over his last 7.1 innings, but he has three saves and a blown save in that span. For the season, he's up to 12 saves in 13 chances with a 2.28 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 52:11 K:BB across 27.2 innings.

Kopech (1-6) allowed a solo home run to the only batter he faced, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Cubs.

Kopech was taken deep by Mike Tauchman as the Cubs won in walk-off fashion. It's been tough sledding for Kopech lately -- he's allowed five runs (four earned) over his last 2.2 innings, taking the loss in three of his last four appearances. The right-hander is now at a 4.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB through 25.2 innings while adding five saves, a hold and two blown saves. If he continues to struggle, Kopech could eventually lose his high-leverage role, though the White Sox's poor play overall has made it difficult for any of the team's relievers to put up saves.

Wentz (0-1) allowed three runs on four hits across 2.2 innings of relief to take the loss Wednesday against the Rangers. He walked four and struck out two.

Detroit starter Kenta Maeda left the game after throwing just two pitches due to right abdominal discomfort, which forced Wentz into action earlier than usual. The lefty struggled, particularly from a control standpoint, and sustained his first loss of the season. Wentz got off to a good start in his new relief role, logging a 0.61 ERA across his first nine appearances of the year, but he's fallen apart since then. Over his last eight outings, Wentz has an ugly 17.00 ERA, and he has virtually no fantasy value as a sputtering long reliever.

The Tigers recalled Englert from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Just one day after being sent down to the minors to make room for Shelby Miller, Englert will return to Detroit's bullpen as a replacement for Alex Faedo (hip). Englert was lit up for three runs in one inning during his season debut, but he has since turned in five scoreless innings across his last three MLB appearances. He'll likely serve in middle relief while Faedo is on the IL.

The Tigers placed Faedo on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right hip inflammation.

Faedo has been effective in his first season as a full-time reliever, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 34.2 innings. However, he will now have to sit out at least the next 15 days due to complications with his hip. His spot in the bullpen will be given to Mason Englert, who was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move.

The Astros selected Hernandez's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hernandez was acquired via trade from the Padres on Tuesday and has now been added to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster. The 29-year-old boasts a 1.90 ERA and 34:9 K:BB over 23.2 innings at the Triple-A level in 2024. He made two relief appearances with San Diego in 2023, allowing four frames in three frames.

The Astros optioned Mushinski to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

Mushinski had pitched both of the previous two days, allowing a pair of runs while cover 1.2 innings. He'll make way for a fresh relief arm in Nick Hernandez, whose contract was selected Wednesday.

Long (0-1) allowed two unearned runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Guardians.

Long put two runners on base before giving way to Angel Zerpa in the seventh inning. A Bobby Witt error would allow three runs to score, including the two on Long's line that sent him to the loss. He still hasn't given up an earned run over 5.1 innings this season, and he's generally pitched well with a 5:1 K:BB in a low-leverage role since he was brought up to the majors May 20. Long has previous experience as a starter, but none of his six big-league appearances this year have exceeded one inning. He went longer than an inning in eight of his 15 outings for Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up, so he could still be called on to provide length out of the bullpen.

Barlow pitched a perfect inning to earn a hold in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Royals.

Barlow has given up six runs over his last seven innings, but he's also picked up seven holds over nine appearances in that span. He's been a little shaky all season, as evidenced by a middling 3.91 ERA to go with a 1.34 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB through 25.1 innings, but Barlow still leads the Guardians with 15 holds. He's maintained a setup role while adding one save and a 2-2 record, though Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis have been more reliable parts of the bridge to closer Emmanuel Clase.