MLB Player News

Kelly struck out three over two hitless and scoreless innings in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Yankees.

Kelly was the one of the good things to come out of Friday's loss. He's a pitcher that manager Alex Cora can rely on in multiple situations. "He can go multiple innings, and I think he starts with strike throwing," Cora told Sarah Barber of The Boston Globe. "Strike throwing, I think that's the most important thing." Since his return from Triple-A Worcester, the right-hander has allowed one run, no hits and three walks while striking out 10. Walks could be an issue. Although he's been better in that regard since his return, Kelly has walked 5.1 batters per nine innings this season.

Richards will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher for Saturday's matchup with the Guardians, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com repports.

Richards operated as an opener in the team's 10-1 loss to the Orioles on June 4 and he appears to be set for a similar role Saturday. The right-hander reached his season-high 40 pitches in that matchup with Baltimore and likely won't last long enough to qualify for a win versus Cleveland. Bowden Francis is expected to operate as a bulk reliever once Richards exits the contest.

Duran (2-2) allowed a walk over two scoreless innings Friday. He struck out one and earned a win over Oakland.

Duran kept the Athletics off the board in the ninth and 10th frames as the Twins eventually delivered the walk-off win. He's 2-0 with a hold over his last three outings since coughing up three runs against the Pirates on June 8. The 26-year-old righty has not picked up a save since June 2. For the season, Duran's ERA is down to 3.66 with a 17:8 K:BB and 10 saves through 19.2 innings.

Miller struck out one batter and walked one over 1.2 innings Friday against Minnesota. He was charged with a blown save during the loss.

Miller entered the game in the eighth inning with the bases jammed and immediately walked in the game-tying run. He then retired five straight batters before the Twins went on to win in the 10th. Miller's ERA dropped to 2.27, as he was not charged with a run, but he's now blown two of his last three save chances dating back to May 30.

Spence yielded four runs on nine hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out three during the loss to the Twins.

Spence worked around some light threats for most of his start and gave up just one run through five frames. He was two outs away from a second straight quality start before Max Kepler ripped a three-run shot, and Spence was removed from the game shortly thereafter. Since moving into the rotation, Spence has posted a 3.69 ERA through six career MLB starts. His next outing is projected to be at home against Kansas City.

Estevez struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 8-6 win over the Giants.

The Giants rallied late, but Estevez shut the door with a 17-pitch ninth inning. He's up to 11 saves this season, five of which have come over his last seven appearances. The closer has added a 3.86 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 20:3 K:BB and three blown saves through 21 innings. The Angels don't often have leads to protect, but Estevez should continue to close as long as he's with the team -- though as a pending free agent, he will be a trade target over the next six weeks.

Urena allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two over 3.1 scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Mariners.

Starter Andrew Heaney struggled over 4.2 innings, but Urena's strong performance spared the Rangers' bullpen. Prior to Friday, Urena had worked as a starter, covering 31.2 innings with a 2.84 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB over his previous six appearances. Urena's at a 3.23 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB through 55.2 innings overall. The Rangers have a short-term dilemma on their hands, as Urena has been at least as good as Heaney, though both pitchers could be out of the rotation once Max Scherzer (back/arm) is able to return.

Munoz walked one and struck out three in a scoreless and hitless eighth inning to earn a hold in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.

Munoz has been dealing with a back issue for most of June so far, but he's still seen high-leverage work when available. The right-hander was deployed in the eighth inning Friday against the top of the Rangers' lineup, while Ryne Stanek got the call in the ninth and earned the save. Munoz has picked up three holds and a loss over his last four outings, but it seems this is less about his injury and more about a matchups-based approach to the late innings by manager Scott Servais. Munoz has a 1.55 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB with 12 saves and six holds through 29 innings this season.

Stanek allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.

This was the second outing in a row in which Stanek got a save, as manager Scott Servais deployed Andres Munoz against the top of the Rangers' lineup in the eighth inning. Stanek has kept runs off the board in eight of his last nine outings, though the exception was a three-run meltdown versus the Royals on June 7. He's pitched to a 4.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB with six saves, 10 holds and two blown saves over 26.2 innings. Stanek's numbers aren't dominant, but he's done well enough to remain in the high-leverage mix. Munoz is still the primary closer, but Servais may be leaning toward a committee approach in the late innings during a busy stretch in which the Mariners play 22 games in 23 days.

Smith (0-3) allowed an unearned run on two hits and struck out one in one-third of an inning to take the loss Friday versus the Dodgers.

Smith gave up a run for the first time since May 22, though it was deemed unearned since Mookie Betts advanced to second base on an error before Freddie Freeman brought him home with an RBI single. After a rough start to the year cost him his high-leverage role, Smith has allowed just three runs (two earned) over his last 14.2 innings, though he has a mediocre 10:3 K:BB in that span. The veteran southpaw is at a 5.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB with one save, five holds and one blown save through 21.2 innings overall.