MLB Player News

Jimenez (shoulder) is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

The right-hander is slated to be capped at 20 pitches in that initial outing, which will come three months to the day he was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder strain. Jimenez's ability to get through a 15-pitch live batting practice session without issues Saturday apparently gave the Athletics the confidence to have him return to game action, but the 29-year-old is likely set to spend at least a couple of weeks down on the farm given how long he's been sidelined.

Leclerc struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Monday's 3-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Leclerc and Aroldis Chapman teamed up for two perfect innings of relief while the Rangers plated a run in the bottom of the ninth for the win. Leclerc, who was removed from the closer's role earlier this season, has quietly put together a stretch of strong work out of the bullpen. The right-hander has a 1.88 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and five walks over the last 14.1 innings. Control has always been the issue for Leclerc, but he hasn't walked a batter in his last five appearances.

Chapman (5-2) picked up the win over Tampa Bay on Monday. He struck out the side in the ninth inning.

Chapman was the pitcher of record when the Rangers walked off the Rays in the bottom of the inning. It was his first victory in a Texas uniform, and the left-hander remained unblemished for his new club. Chapman, who was recently named a co-closer with Will Smith, has not allowed a run or a walk while striking out 10 over six appearances since coming over from Kansas City.

Finnegan earned a save against the Cubs on Monday, allowing one hit and striking out three batters over 1.1 scoreless innings.

With Hunter Harvey (elbow) moved to the injured list Monday, Finnegan was given the opportunity to move back into a closer role. He was called upon to put out a fire with two on and two out and the Nationals up two runs in the bottom of the eighth and retired Mike Tauchman on a lineout to center field, then struck out three straight batters following a leadoff walk in the ninth to finish off the Washington win. Harvey may be out for a while, so Finnegan should have an opportunity to reestablish himself as the team's primary closer for at least a few weeks. He's been up-and-down as a high-leverage reliever this season, recording a respectable 3.32 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 40:14 K:BB over 40.2 innings but blowing seven saves in 19 chances.

Hicks earned a save against the Marlins on Monday, allowing three hits over one scoreless inning.

Hicks was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead and quickly surrendered a leadoff single. That was erased when Luis Arraez followed by grounding into a double play, but Hicks soon found himself in trouble again when each of the next two batters notched a hit off him. However, the righty reliever managed to recover and induced a groundout to close the contest. Hicks has yielded nine hits and two walks over his past 6.1 innings but has been able to record three saves in four chances while giving up just two earned runs across six appearances over that span.

Kelly (1-0) allowed two hits and struck out two without walking a batter over 1.2 innings to earn the win Monday versus the Pirates.

Xzavion Curry started but wasn't stretched out long enough to qualify for the win in an 11-0 blowout. Kelly's win was his first in the majors over six career appearances. He's tossed 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts with the Guardians this season, though he figures to remain in a low-leverage role for as long as he's in the majors.

Baker (3-3) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk in one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Dodgers.

Baker surrendered a grand slam to Chris Taylor after Grayson Rodriguez got into trouble the third time through the order. Prior to Monday, Baker had allowed five runs over his last 13 innings while posting a 15:6 K:BB and two holds in that span. He's at a 3.89 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB with 11 holds and two blown saves over 39.1 innings this season. Baker sees some setup work, but he's unlikely to present any challenge to closer Felix Bautista's ninth-inning gig.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that Pivetta is expected to work in a bulk-reliever role again Sunday versus the Mets, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Pivetta looked sharp while following opener Brennan Bernardino in Monday's victory over the Athletics, fanning 13 over six scoreless frames while claiming the win. Though Pivetta looks as though he's recaptured a rotation spot, the Red Sox will keep the right-hander in the bullpen for his next appearance as a primary pitcher behind an opener. "At one point, probably, he needs to start because we're going to play (16) in a row," stated manager Alex Cora. "For now, this is the structure we like."

Sewald struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Monday's 7-6 win over the Twins.

It didn't initially seem like the Mariners would need a closer Monday, but Ty Adcock gave up a three-run home run to Max Kepler in the ninth inning. Sewald was able to strike out Ryan Jeffers on five pitches to close the contest. Sewald has allowed three runs over six innings in July, but they all came in a July 3 outing versus the Giants. The Mariners' closer is up to 19 saves in 22 chances with a 3.11 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 55:12 K:BB through 37.2 innings overall.

Pivetta (6-5) earned the win Monday over the Athletics, allowing two walks while striking out 13 over six no-hit, shutout innings.

Pivetta, along with opener Brennan Bernardino and reliever Chris Martin, combined for a one-hit shutout win. This was Pivetta's longest outing since his move to the bullpen in May -- he threw 58 of 87 pitches for strikes. While the opponent was likely a factor, he's been solid lately, allowing six runs (five earned) over his last 21.2 innings with a 38:7 K:BB in that span. The right-hander owns a 4.44 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 94:33 K:BB through 75 innings overall. He'll likely continue in a bulk-relief role, and he should be available to pitch over the weekend versus the Mets at some point.