MLB Player News

Smith struck out two batters over 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings to earn a hold in Saturday's 2-0 win over Cleveland.

Smith, who needed just 19 pitches to get those five outs, shepherded the lead to the ninth inning for Aroldis Chapman, who was as efficient as Smith in picking up his first save since joining Texas. Earlier in the day, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy announced that Smith and Chapman would be co-closers, per Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com. Smith's value obviously takes a hit with the new arrangement, but he's converted 15 of 17 save opportunities and is a trusted arm.

Chapman allowed one hit and struck out two over a scoreless ninth inning to record a save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Guardians.

Chapman threw 10 of 12 pitches for a strike to record his first save since joining the Rangers at the end of June. Texas manager Bruce Bochy announced earlier in the day that Chapman will share the closer role with Will Smith, and the manager wasted no time giving the recent bullpen addition his first opportunity. Smith was used as the bridge, getting five outs before Chapman took over. Bochy said whichever reliever gets the call to close out games will depend on the set of hitters due up. Both are lefties, so it will not be solely based on lefty-righty matchups.

Morejon strained his right knee in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Phillies and will be sent for imaging, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan reports.

Morejon struggled during his time in the game, allowing two runs on three hits while recording his only out via strikeout. The lefty reliever opened the season on the 60-day IL due to an elbow injury and has seen action in eight contests since returning to San Diego on June 21, posting a 7.00 ERA, 2.11 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over nine innings.

Kimbrel recorded his 15th save of the season in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader sweep of the Padres, walking two and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

The right-hander made things very interesting and fired only nine of 19 pitches for strikes, but Kimbrel escaped the jam he created when he got Manny Machado to fly out to shallow right field, and Bryson Stott managed to hold onto the ball after a collision with Nick Castellanos. Kimbrel hasn't been scored upon in 14 straight appearances dating back to June 8, posting a 21:3 K:BB through 14 innings over that stretch and converting all six of his save chances, so Saturday's wobble doesn't seem to be cause for concern.

Weathers (1-6) took the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Phillies, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

The Padres grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Weathers couldn't make it hold up for long, serving up a solo shot to Bryce Harper in the fourth and a three-run blast to Kyle Schwarber in the fifth. The 23-year-old lefty is expected to head back to Triple-A El Paso as his big-league struggles continue -- he's been tagged for at least four runs in five of his last seven starts for San Diego dating back to May 14, posting an 8.78 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 18:12 K:BB in 26.2 innings over that stretch.

Scott was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Sunday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The journeyman right-hander finds himself in DFA limbo again after four outings with the Red Sox, including appearances in both of the team's first two games following the All-Star break. He had previously been designated for assignment by the Dodgers in June. Scott has allowed eight runs on 12 hits and eight walks in 9.2 total innings this season.

Graveman picked up a save against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits while striking out one batter over one inning.

Graveman was asked to protect a two-run ninth-inning lead and nearly blew it. The right-hander served up a leadoff homer to Ronald Acuna Jr., then saw two of the next three batters reach base to put runners on the corners with one out. However, Graveman was able to induce a game-ending double-play groundout from Sean Murphy to escape with the save. The veteran reliever leads Chicago with eight saves on the campaign, though he'll likely revert back to a setup role in the near future with Liam Hendriks (elbow) back to tossing bullpens and seemingly nearing a return.

Fairbanks earned a save against the Royals in Game 2 of a twin bill Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over one inning.

Fairbanks got the call from the bullpen with Tampa Bay up two runs in the ninth inning. He allowed a leadoff single to Salvador Perez but retired the next three batters in order to wrap up the win. Fairbanks has recorded all five of the Rays' saves since he returned from the injured list June 15, allowing just one run and posting an 8:3 K:BB over 6.2 innings across seven contests during that stretch.

Hudson (1-0) allowed four hits and struck out two without walking a batter over 3.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday over the Nationals.

Steven Matz had mixed results starting Saturday's regularly-scheduled contest, but Hudson provided quality work in a de facto piggyback role. Over four appearances in the majors, Hudson has given up three runs (two earned) across 10 innings, good for a 1.80 ERA despite a 1.20 WHIP. He's been limited to relief work so far, but there's an opening in the rotation with Adam Wainwright (shoulder) still on the injured list for at least two more weeks. The Cardinals don't have any days off in that span, so Hudson could be a candidate to make two or three starts if that's the decision manager Oliver Marmol makes.

Hicks (1-6) took the extra-inning loss in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out one over two innings.

The game was resumed after getting suspended Friday due to weather. Hicks got through the ninth inning without much trouble but gave up a pair of runs in the 10th to take the loss. He's now at a 3.93 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 56:23 K:BB through 38.2 innings overall while adding seven saves, six holds and three blown saves. Hicks had a strong June, but he's now given up five runs (three earned) over his last seven outings.