MLB Player News

Barnett logged a 3.58 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 43 strikeouts and a 50 percent groundball rate in 32.2 innings (seven starts) for Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Among the college pitchers the Royals have drafted in recent years, Barnett had the best statistical season while splitting time between High-A and Double-A. A burly 6-foot righty who turns 23 in November, Barnett leans heavily on his mid-90s fastball and mid-80s slider. He built up to 114.2 innings this year, so he won't face any workload restrictions in 2024 while having a chance to pitch his way to the majors.

Clase picked up the save Thursday against the Orioles. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

After the first two Orioles reached safely in the ninth, Clase rebounded to strike out his next two batters before coaxing a game-ending flyout from Gunnar Henderson. Clase remains the lone closer with over 40 saves on the year. He's allowed just one earned run in his last six outings (five innings), lowering his ERA to 2.97 with a 1.15 WHIP and 63:16 K:BB across 69.2 innings this season.

Estevez (5-5) blew the save and took the loss Thursday against the Rays. He allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Estevez immediately ran into trouble allowing the first two batters (Harold Ramirez and Yandy Diaz) to reach via singles in the ninth inning. He was unable to stem the tide and eventually allowed the game-winning run to score via a Manuel Margot single. Before Thursday, Estevez had thrown four straight scoreless outings dating back to Sept. 5, his last blown save. He has 30 saves and four blown saves on the year.

Cleveland optioned Kelly to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.

This move opens a 28-man roster spot for Hunter Gaddis, who is starting for the Guardians on Thursday against the Orioles. Kelly had surrendered four runs -- three earned -- over his last two innings (two appearances) out of the Guardians' bullpen.

Pressly (4-5) did not allow a baserunner across one inning to earn the win Wednesday against the Orioles.

Pressly entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied at 1-1 and needed only nine pitches to retire the side. It was an important outing given that Pressly has struggled of late, allowing five earned runs combined across his previous two appearances. Those struggles have extended further, as he's posted just a 5.41 ERA and 1.41 WHIP -- albeit with a 29:5 K:BB -- across 22.2 innings since the All-Star break. There's no indication that Pressly is in line to lose his job as the closer, but he has become a liability (at least in the short term) for the Astros as they make their push to the postseason.

The Angels will recall Daniel from Triple-A Salt Lake to pitch Friday in Minnesota, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

He could be used as a traditional starter or as a bulk reliever behind an opener, but either way, Daniel is slated to handle most of the innings for the Halos. Tyler Anderson had been scheduled to take the hill Friday but is being pushed back due to a knee injury. Daniel tossed three scoreless relief innings in his major-league debut earlier this month.

Abreu (forearm) struck out one over 1.1 innings Wednesday against the Orioles.

He did not allow a hit or a walk in the outing. Abreu was struck on his right forearm by a comebacker in Sunday's game against the Royals, but it seems like he is a healthy bullpen option going forward.

Beeks was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The left-hander's demotion makes room for the return of Jason Adam from the injured list. Beeks threw 40 pitches over two scoreless relief innings in Wednesday's loss to the Angels, so he probably wasn't going to be available for a day or two anyway.

Adam (oblique) was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Adam spent three weeks on the IL with a left oblique strain but is ready to rejoin the Rays' bullpen after throwing off a mound without issue in recent days. He has a 2.57 ERA in 55 appearances and will return to a high-leverage relief role.

Jax picked up the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Cincinnati. He allowed no hits and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Jax issued a leadoff walk to Nick Martini after entering the game with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, but the right-handed reliever was able to retire the next three batters to record his third save of the season and his first since Aug. 24. Jax has allowed just one hit over his last three appearances and now carries a 3.12 ERA in September after he scuffled to a 9.00 ERA in August. Jhoan Duran remains the clear closer, but he pitched the eighth inning Wednesday before Minnesota's late comeback since he recently hasn't seen much work.