MLB Player News

Vespi was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Vespi was recalled by the Orioles in late July, and he posted a 1.29 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in seven innings over six appearances during his time on the major-league roster. He struck out 11, logged a 2-0 record and picked up a hold during his stint in the Orioles' bullpen but will head back to the minors after DL Hall was called up prior to Saturday's start.

Hall was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Hall will make his major-league debut as the starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Rays. The southpaw has displayed strong stuff throughout his minor-league career, but he also has some command issues. However, now that he's healthy, Hall could have the chance to earn a spot in the Orioles' rotation if he can cut down on his walks in the big leagues.

Lange (4-3) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk across an inning of relief to take the loss Friday against the White Sox. He struck out one.

Daniel Norris and Jason Foley kept Chicago off the board for six innings, but Lange struggled in the seventh. It's the second time this month he's allowed two or more runs in an appearance, and his 9.00 ERA in August reflects those struggles. Lange has been better over the full season, however, with a 3.40 ERA and 60 strikeouts across 45 innings. Those 45 innings are a new career high at the major-league level, so it's possible his recent downward trend is at least partly due to fatigue.

Barnes allowed one hit, hit a batter and struck out two over one scoreless inning in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Yankees.

Barnes got himself into a one-out, two-on jam after plunking Aaron Judge, but the right-hander was amped up while walking off the mound after striking out Anthony Rizzo and Josh Donaldson. It was a brief glimpse into the old Barnes -- the All Star of a season ago. This was the second consecutive good outing for Barnes, who has allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings since being activated off the injured list. With Boston's bullpen in turmoil, the old Barnes would be a big help.

Chapman picked up his first hold, striking out two batters in a perfect inning against the Red Sox on Friday, while Clay Holmes blew his third straight save opportunity in the contest. Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested after the loss that Holmes could see fewer ninth-inning opportunities, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

There had already been hints that Chapman could begin to see closing opportunities again -- he was slated to finish last Friday's game against the Cardinals before Holmes gave up the lead in the eighth inning -- and the continued struggles of the latter make that likelihood stronger. Boone implied that Holmes may have lost his grasp on the ninth-inning role following this Friday's loss, stating, "We'll see. I'm trying to get him in the best positions to be successful. Some nights it'll be the ninth, some nights it'll be having the full go with the pen. We'll keep working with him. Got to get him right and consistent." If Holmes is pulled from the role, Chapman is the most likely candidate to take over closing duties given his extensive history of success (he has 315 career saves) and his recent return to form (he's tossed eight consecutive scoreless innings, posting an 8:1 K:BB and allowing three hits over that stretch).

Sborz was hit by a comebacker on the right arm during Friday's loss to the Mariners, Arianna Vedia of MLB.com reports.

Sborz, who was the game opener, got the first two batters before taking a line-drive single off the right arm. The right-hander stayed to finish the inning, but Texas manager Chris Woodward said the team is waiting to see how Sborz responds Saturday. Woodward referred to the pitcher as a "tough kid" but acknowledged the arm was sore Friday.

Jackson was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Jackson was called up by Atlanta on Thursday, but he didn't make his season debut during his brief stint in the majors. He'll head back to the minors as part of a move to make room for a pair of starting pitchers for Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins.

Melancon tweaked his delivery since Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo added other relievers to the closer mix, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. "I've been always trying to tweak things to be better," Melancon said.

Melancon said the changes are barely perceptible to the naked eye and involve tightening his torso and creating more tension throughout his body to hone his command. "I'm creating more down angle, or cut, on the ball," Melancon said. "And just less stress on the shoulder, creating more tension throughout." The changes, however small, have worked for the right-hander. In the three outings since the role change, Melancon has allowed one hit and three walks with three strikeouts over three scoreless innings, which includes two saves.

Trivino (1-7) was tagged with the loss against Boston on Friday, allowing an unearned run on two hits in one-third of an inning.

After closer Clay Holmes blew another save opportunity in the ninth inning, Wandy Peralta came to the rescue to send the game into extra frames. New York failed to score in the top of the 10th, and Trivino gave up the winning run in the bottom of the frame on Tommy Pham's walkoff single. The run was unearned, but it was the first Trivino has given up since joining the Yankees on Aug. 2. With Holmes in danger of losing his closing spot, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Trivino -- who saved 10 games for Oakland prior to being traded -- could see some work in that role, though Aroldis Chapman would appear to be the more likely replacement.

Neris pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save in a 7-5 victory over the Athletics.

With Ryan Pressly unavailable to pitch due to a stiff neck, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Dusty Baker turned to Neris to close the door in the ninth. Neris only needed seven pitches to retire the side and pick up his second save of the season. Neris has put together five scoreless appearances in a row to lower his ERA to 3.33 and his WHIP to an excellent 0.89. It is worth monitoring the health of Pressly to see if Neris could combine with Rafael Montero to pick up any further saves while the usual closer is sidelined.