MLB Player News

Miller, who'd pitched just once in the previous 11 games entering Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Astros, threw 14 fastballs of at least 100.5 mph out of his 29 pitches during his two scoreless innings, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Miller's arm was clearly fresh, and manager Mark Kotsay deployed his closer for multiple innings in the tie game as a result. Miller rewarded him by recording five strikeouts -- including of the noteworthy trio of Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Pena -- over his 29 pitches. The elite velocity helped Miller to his 13th straight scoreless outing and extended his career-high scoreless streak to 17.1 innings. The improved - but still inconsistent - Athletics have afforded Miller just eight save chances among his 14 appearances, but he's converted each and now boasts a minuscule 0.98 ERA and 0.65 WHIP alongside a 38:5 K:BB across 18.1 innings.

Alexander (ribs) fired a scoreless seventh inning in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over El Paso on Tuesday, recording a strikeout.

The left-hander had failed to record an out while giving up five total runs in his most recent rehab outing Friday, so the scoreless frame Tuesday was a particularly welcome sight. Alexander might be ready to return from his long IL stint at any moment, and perhaps Tuesday's clean outing will qualify as the final box that needed checking before the Athletics deem him ready for activation.

Kelly (2-1) took the extra-inning loss against the Astros on Tuesday, allowing an unearned run on one hit over one-third of an inning.

With closer Mason Miller having worked both the eighth and ninth innings, Kelly was tasked with preserving the 1-1 tie in the 10th. Jake Meyers immediately moved over inning-opening runner Trey Cabbage to third with a flyout before Kelly surrendered a walk-off single to Victor Caratini, putting a quick end to the right-hander's unsuccessful high-leverage scenario. Kelly has now allowed a total of four runs (three earned) in two of his last four outings, but he's otherwise been a fairly reliable option for manager Mark Kotsay with a 3.00 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a pair of holds in addition to his two wins.

Twins athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said Tuesday that Stewart didn't resume throwing this past weekend as anticipated and has since received a platelet-rich plasma injection for his right shoulder, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. "We have to get his arm strength where it needs to be," Paparesta said of Stewart. "We have to get his range of motion where it needs to be ... But we hope to see him throwing here in the short term."

Paparesta admitted that he might have initially been overzealous with his prediction that Stewart would start throwing again last weekend, but the right-hander doesn't seem to have suffered any major setback in his recovery from tendinitis. Once the injection takes full effect within the next few days, Stewart could start playing catch before gradually advancing to throwing off a mound and facing hitters. When he returns from the 15-day injured list, Stewart will be a key part of the bridge to closer Jhoan Duran.

Devenski (knee) is expected to face hitters in live batting practice in the near future, MLB.com reports.

Devenski has been throwing regular bullpen sessions and recovered well from each. He was placed on the injured list in late April and will likely be back before the close of May.

Fairbanks struck out two and didn't allow a baserunner across a scoreless inning Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Fairbanks was briefly sidelined due to a cut on his throwing hand, but he returned to pitch the ninth inning of a tied game Tuesday. He showed no ill effects from the injury and has turned in two scoreless outings since returning from a nerve issue in his arm.

Kopech allowed two walks and struck out one across a scoreless ninth inning in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Kopech entered the game in the ninth inning with a four-run lead and successfully closed out the game. It was his first appearance since May 9, and he struggled with his control, walking a pair and also throwing a pair of wild pitches. Despite being shaky in this appearance, Kopech has now allowed only one earned across his last 7.1 innings.

Rodriguez threw four scoreless innings of relief in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Guardians.

Starter Jack Leiter was bounced after 1.2 innings, and Texas needed its 29th-ranked bullpen (5.14 ERA) to get through the day. And they got it from Jonathan Hernandez (2.1 scoreless innings) and Rodriguez, who faced the minimum over four innings -- he hit a batter but followed it with a double play.

Clase earned the save Tuesday against Texas, allowing one walk over a scoreless inning with no strikeouts

Clase moved into a four-way tied for the second most saves in baseball with Tuesday's contest and, after leading MLB in saves the past two seasons, is firmly in the mix to do so again in 2024. The 26-year-old has yielded just one earned run and walked two batters in 21.1 innings of work.

McArthur allowed a run on two hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 1.1 innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Mariners.

McArthur gave up a solo home run to Mitch Haniger in the ninth inning, but he was able to avoid any further damage. The right-hander has surrendered seven runs (six earned) over his last five appearances, and he's been tagged for four homers in that span. He's managed to convert saves in each of his last two outings despite the long balls. McArthur is 10-for-13 in save chances this year while adding a 4.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB through 19.2 innings. He does not appear to be in danger of losing the closer job yet, but it is concerning to see him give up so much hard contact.