MLB Player News

Leclerc struck out two over a scoreless relief inning in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

The Rangers' bullpen has been shaky during the team's seven-game losing streak, and it blew another lead Thursday. None of that is on Leclerc, the one-time closer who has a 1.53 ERA over 17.2 innings since coming off the injured list in early July. More importantly, he's limited his bases on balls with just four walks (2.0 BB/9) during that stretch. Before landing on the IL, Leclerc walked 15 batters over 25 innings (5.4 BB/9). If Texas manager Bruce Bochy moves on from Will Smith as the team's closer, Aroldis Chapman could emerge as the primary closer, but Leclerc's sterling work could put him back into high-leverage consideration.

Fairbanks picked up the save Thursday against Colorado, allowing one hit while striking out three over a scoreless inning.

Fairbanks entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth and struck out Alan Trejo on eight pitches before allowing an infield single to Elehuris Montero in the following at-bat. The right-hander then secured his 16th save by getting the next two batters to go down swinging as the Rays won their fourth straight. Fairbanks has allowed just one hit over his last five appearances, registering two wins and a save over that stretch.

Armstrong did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings against Colorado while striking out two.

Armstrong allowed two hits in the first inning but managed to pitch his way out of it before going 1-2-3 through the second frame. The 32-year-old reliever has not allowed a run over his last five outings, racking up 12 strikeouts to only one walk over that stretch (8.2 innings). He has, however, surrendered multiple hits in three of his last six appearances.

Lambert did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over five innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

Lambert got taken deep by Luke Raley on a hanging four-seamer to lead off the bottom of the second and was again victimized by the outfielder in the fourth, this time on a triple, before the latter came around to score a second time. Those would be the only two runs allowed by Lambert on the afternoon as he made it through at least five innings for the third consecutive start. The right-hander has allowed at least one home run in each of his last four starts and now carries a 5.19 ERA in August. On a positive note, he's issued just one walk in each of his last three outings, striking out 15 over that stretch.

Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings.

Finnegan entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and made things interesting by allowing singles to Oswald Peraza and Gleyber Torres. Peraza would then come around to score on a Giancarlo Stanton two-out single, but Finnegan was able to retire the next batter and escape with his 23rd save of the season. The right-hander has converted his last 12 save opportunities, though he's also allowed a run in three of his last four appearances.

King did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one unearned run on one hit and two walks over 2.2 innings against the Nationals while striking out three.

King pitched well over the first two innings but found himself in a jam in the third after walking two of the first four batters he faced in the frame. One unearned run came home following a fielding error by Anthony Volpe and the right-hander was then relieved by Keynan Middleton as New York went with a bullpen day. The Yankees have now lost the last four games in which King has appeared, though he's held his own so far in August with a 3.00 ERA and 20:5 K:BB.

Sewald recorded a save against Cincinnati on Thursday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

Sewald came on in the top of the ninth frame with Arizona holding a tenuous one-run lead. He issued a free pass with one out but retired the next two batters to seal the deal. Sewald blew his first save opportunity with Arizona on Aug. 6 but has gone a perfect 7-for-7 since, posting eight scoreless innings and a 9:5 K:BB over that span.

May earned a save against the White Sox on Thursday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

May had a three-run lead to work with in the bottom of the ninth inning and made quick work of Chicago, needing just nine pitches to get three outs around a single. The save was the second in three days for the right-hander, pushing his total to 14 on the campaign. He had tallied 12 saves over eight big-league seasons prior to this year.

Jax earned a save over the Rangers on Thursday, allowing one walk and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Twins closer Jhoan Duran threw 33 pitches over 1.2 innings in a loss Wednesday, so Jax was summoned Thursday with the team up by two heading into the ninth inning. Jax issued a one-out walk but erased it by inducing a game-ending, double-play groundout. The right-hander notched his second save of the campaign, but his other came over two months ago, and he's not expected to see many more opportunities as long as Duran is healthy.

Bautista picked up the save Thursday, delivering a perfect ninth inning to close out a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Bautista set the Blue Jays down in order in the ninth inning Thursday to earn his 33rd save, tying him for second most in the league. The 28-year-old extended his scoreless streak to six innings, lowering his ERA to a pristine 1.49 to go along with a 0.93 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB across 60.1 frames this season.