MLB Player News

Stanek blew the save Sunday against Toronto, allowing one run on two hits and a walk with a strikeout over one inning.

Stanek took the mound in the seventh inning, inheriting a pair of runners with no outs and a 4-1 lead. After striking out Kevin Kiermaier, Stanek surrendered a three-run home run to George Springer, tying the game and resulting in the blown save. Stanek briefly took closing duties from Andres Munoz in mid June while Munoz dealt with a back injury, but Stanek has since yielded ninth-inning work to Munoz.

Kimbrel picked up the save Sunday, allowing one hit and no walks with two strikeouts across a scoreless inning against Oakland.

Kimbrel has now fired seven consecutive scoreless frames, going 7-for-7 in save chances during that stretch to bring his season total up to 23 saves. The 36-year-old fell to a 4.73 ERA after his first 16 appearances of 2024, but has been dominant since, recording a 0.43 ERA with 31 strikeouts across 21.0 innings.

Spence (5-5) took the loss Sunday against Baltimore, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out five.

All four runs charged to Spence came in the first inning, when he allowed a solo home run to Anthony Santander and a three-run home run to Heston Kjerstad. Spence was able to settle in afterward, and would have kept the Orioles off the scoreboard if it weren't for a dropped flyball with two outs in the third inning that allowed a run to score. Since the start of June, Spence owns a 5.01 ERA and a 32:6 K:BB across 41.1 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Phillies in Philadelphia next weekend.

The Giants acquired Young from the Reds on Sunday in exchange for outfielder Austin Slater and cash considerations, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Young will return to the Giants organization after the team released him in November 2022. The left-hander appeared in three contests with the Reds earlier this season, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out two batters. Young has been lights out with Triple-A Louisville, producing a 1.19 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 22 punchouts over 22.2 innings in 23 appearances. He'll report to Triple-A Sacramento for the time being but may not have to wait long for a call-up to San Francisco.

Hjelle (3-3) allowed three runs on four hits while striking out one and walking none over one inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Guardians.

Hjelle has given up multiple runs in three of his last seven outings, taking two of his three losses this season in that span. The right-hander is now at a 3.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 46:6 K:BB through 44.2 innings while adding three holds. He sees very little high-leverage work as a multi-inning reliever, but his recent performance has offset his reliable control, as his groundball tendencies have led to too many hitters getting on base.

Smith (4-1) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win Sunday over the Giants.

Smith pitched the sixth inning, and the Guardians took the lead in their half of the frame to make him the pitcher of record. After a strong first two months of the season, Smith has taken a bit of a step back, allowing six runs over his last 14.1 innings since the start of June. He's now at a 2.50 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 53:9 K:BB while adding a save and 13 holds over 39.2 innings.

Clase earned a save over the Giants on Sunday. He gave up a run on one hit in one inning of work.

Clase coughed up an out-of-character run on a Michael Conforto groundout. Clase was still able to close out the 5-4 win and pick up his 27th save of the year. He's given up just four earned runs through 42.1 innings this season, resulting in a 0.85 ERA. Sunday's outing snapped a nine-inning scoreless streak. Clase has converted 14 straight save chances and is 27-for-30 in 2024.

Kopech (2-8) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks against Miami on Sunday. He was charged with a blown save and a loss.

Kopech entered the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead but quickly gave it up on a Josh Bell RBI double. Two batters later, Jake Burger would crush a walk-off three-run homer. Kopech hadn't blown a save chance since June 13 but is now just 8-for-13 in opportunities this season. His ERA jumped to 5.45 with a 51:23 K:BB through 38 innings. John Brebbia could begin to push for more ninth-inning work; he threw a scoreless eighth inning Sunday and has given up just two runs over 16.1 frames since the start of June.

The Marlins claimed McCaughan off waivers Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.

The 28-year-old signed with the Marlins in March but was traded to the Guardians in May, only to end up back in Miami after being designated for assignment by Cleveland. McCaughan has given up 14 earned runs in his three big-league outings between the two clubs this year, and he has a 5.50 ERA over 54 innings at the Triple-A level this year.

The Mets transferred Smith (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

The right-hander was diagnosed with a significant UCL tear in late June, so it's not a surprise he's been moved to the 60-day IL. Smith appears headed for Tommy John surgery but was expected to seek a second medical opinion before deciding his next steps.