MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks designated Jacques for assignment Thursday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for A.J. Puk, who was acquired via trade from the Marlins. Jacques permitted two runs over 1.1 innings in his lone appearance with Arizona this season.

Holton worked as Detroit's opener against Cleveland on Thursday and allowed two hits while striking out two batters over two scoreless innings.

Holton served as the Tigers' opener for the third time this season and was effective in his two innings of work, giving up a pair of doubles but keeping the Guardians off the scoreboard. The southpaw extended his streak of scoreless outings to 12, and he's posted a 13:3 K:BB over 16 innings while notching two saves and two holds during that span. Overall, Holton has registered a 2.97 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 46:12 K:BB across 57.2 frames on the campaign.

Perez earned a save against the Marlins on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Primary closer Craig Kimbrel blew a save chance in the ninth inning, and the game went into an extra frame. Baltimore scored a run in the top of the 10th, and Perez was able to keep the automatic runner from crossing the plate in the bottom of the inning to notch his second save of the campaign. The southpaw isn't likely to see many more save opportunities this season, though he's gotten a good amount of high-leverage work and is tied for second on the team with 13 holds.

Kimbrel blew a save against the Marlins on Thursday, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning.

Kimbrel came on in the ninth frame to try to protect a three-run lead but couldn't get the job done. After retiring the first batter he faced, the veteran closer gave up a pair of singles followed by a walk, then saw a run cross the plate on a fielding error behind him. A sacrifice fly and another single resulted in two more runs, the latter of which tied the game. Kimbrel has now blown two straight save chances and has given up six runs (four earned) over his past 2.2 innings, though he's pitched well enough overall this season to still have control of the closer role for Baltimore.

Miller worked around a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Guardians. He struck out one.

Regular closer Jason Foley was used in the seventh inning of this bullpen game for Detroit, which set Miller up for his second save of the season. The veteran righty endured a rough patch in June but has been much better this month, posting a 0.84 ERA across 10.2 innings. Foley is still the favorite for saves in Detroit, though Miller gives the Tigers another option when needed.

Lucas (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Thursday against the Guardians. He struck out two.

Tyler Holton started the bullpen game for Detroit, with Lucas next up. The 27-year-old had allowed seven earned runs over his first four innings this season with the Athletics and Tigers, but he looked sharper in this one to earn his first MLB win. Lucas is still likely only going to serve as a low-leverage middle reliever in Detroit, so while the occasional win out of the bullpen is nice, he will be hard pressed to maintain much fantasy value.

The Diamondbacks acquired Puk from the Marlins in exchange for Deyvison De Los Santos and Andrew Pintar on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

After beginning the season in Miami's rotation and posting a 9.22 ERA in four starts, Puk was moved to the bullpen upon returning from the injured list in mid-May. He's been dominant in a relief role this season, logging a 2.08 ERA and 0.76 WHIP with a 33:6 K:BB in 30.1 innings. He'll provide needed fortification to the back of the Diamondbacks bullpen, as closer Paul Sewald has struggled for much of July. Puk seems likely to start out in more of a setup role but could be a factor for saves, especially if Sewald is unable to get back on track.

Robertson picked up the save Thursday against the White Sox, striking out two batters over two perfect innings.

With Kirby Yates having pitched in three straight games, Robertson stayed on the mound for the ninth inning Thursday to land his second save of the campaign. Robertson has been a solid setup man for the Rangers this season, logging 21 holds in 44.2 innings with a 3.02 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and a 66:13 K:BB.

The Athletics placed Miller on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a fractured pinkie on his left hand, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Gallegos says Miller suffered the injury when he placed his hand down awkwardly on the training table while getting ready to do an exercise. It's not clear how long Miller might be sidelined, but it helps that the fracture is to his non-throwing hand. The injury could also lessen, if not eliminate, the possibility of Miller being dealt at the trade deadline. Lucas Erceg is the favorite to see save opportunities for the Athletics while Miller is out.

Junis improved to 3-0 on the season after striking out a batter and working around one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Cubs.

The Brewers essentially deployed two bulk relievers as part of their bullpen game Wednesday. Opening pitcher Rob Zastryzny covered the first inning and gave up one run, with Bryse Wilson following him with four innings of one-run ball before Junis took the hill in the bottom of the sixth. With the Brewers breaking a 2-2 tie on Willson Contreras' RBI double in the top of the ninth, Junis was credited with the win when Joel Payamps came on in the bottom of the inning to close the game. Junis has now scooped up wins in three of his last four multi-inning relief appearances, but the Brewers don't seem compelled to have him fill the open spot in their five-man rotation. Instead, the club looks content to get by with bullpen days when a fifth starter is needed until one of Joe Ross (back) or DL Hall (knee/forearm) is ready to return from the 60-day injured list.