MLB Player News

Clase pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit while striking out two on his way to a save in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Tigers.

Clase was asked to protect a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, striking out the first two batters he faced before Akil Baddoo singled and advanced to second base on a throwing error. The right-hander was able to escape the frame unscathed, though, inducing a game-ending groundout from Riley Greene. The save was his 26th of the year in 28 chances, and he now owns a 1.32 ERA and 0.69 WHIP with 50 strikeouts over 47.2 innings across 50 appearances in 2022.

Milner struck out both batters he faced during a relief appearance Wednesday in a win over the Rays.

Milner had whittled his ERA down to an elite 1.89 following a July 24 appearance against the Rockies, but he's allowed seven earned runs over six innings across seven subsequent outings. The rough patch has quickly elevated that number to 3.07, a still-respectable figure that's nevertheless trending in the wrong direction.

Manaea allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out four across five innings Wednesday against the Giants. He did not factor into the decision.

Manaea was hit hard in the second and third innings, though he managed to tack on two scoreless frames to salvage a decent outing. Manaea entered Wednesday's start having maintained a 6.60 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and a 47:19 K:BB across 45 innings and nine starts since June 14. For the season, Manaea now has a 4.76 ERA in 119 frames on the season.

Junis allowed six earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three across 2.1 innings Wednesday against the Padres. He did not factor into the decision.

Junis got through two scoreless innings, but he allowed the first seven batters he faced to reach base in the third frame before being yanked. Despite being in the rotation consistently since the All-Star break, Junis has yet to work more than 4.1 innings in four outings. He's also allowed 10 earned runs across 14.1 innings in that span, inflating his overall ERA to 3.78 across 64.1 frames for the season.

Sewald struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Yankees.

Sewald successfully protected a one-run lead to earn his 15th save of the season. The Mariners will continue to use a number of options to close out games, though Sewald has still earned three of the team's last five saves. He's also turned in eight consecutive scoreless appearances while maintaining a 6:0 K:BB across eight innings. That stretch has continued his stellar campaign, as Sewald has a 2.31 ERA across 46.2 frames for the season.

Bednar (back) has begun doing lumbar/spine exercises and is hoping to start throwing in about a week, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports

Bednar has been dealing with back issues for a good part of the season and has still managed to record 17 saves while generating an impressive 2.70 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. However, it seems that he will have to remain out of action for the immediate future and Wil Crowe will continue filling in as Pittsburgh's closer until Bednar returns.

Rucker (1-1) tossed a scoreless inning of relief and earned the win Wednesday against the Nationals.

The Cubs trailed 2-0 after six innings before Rucker fired a scoreless top of the seventh and Chicago rallied for four runs in bottom half of the frame. The Cubs held on for the 4-2 win, giving the righty his first career MLB win. Rucker appeared in 20 games last season for Chicago and has now appeared in 20 games this year, mostly working in a middle-relief role with limited fantasy appeal.

Diaz was released by the Mets on Wednesday.

Diaz was cut loose after putting up a less-than-stellar 6.75 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 28 innings out of the bullpen with Triple-A Syracuse. His ongoing struggles since 2021 could make it challenging for Diaz to immediately secure another minor-league deal.

Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

After appearing in two games since being called up Sunday, Thompson was sent back down to Triple-A in order to free up a spot for Jake McGee. Over the course of his brief stints in the majors this season, he's turned in an impressive 1.13 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over eight innings of work. It seems to be only a matter of time before the 24-year-old righty gets a long-term promotion to the big-league club.

King was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

King has a 4.70 ERA over his last five big-league appearances and is coming off a stint at Triple-A Round Rock where he generated a 9.00 ERA and 1.73 WHIP across 11 innings. King will rejoin the Rangers after they placed Spencer Howard (shoulder) on the 15-day IL retroactive to Monday.