MLB Player News

Jax threw a scoreless inning while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Padres to earn his 10th hold.

Jax has become a key setup man after transitioning from being a starting pitcher last season. He's improved both his average fastball velocity (95.3 mph from 92.7 mph last season) and strikeout rate (9.6 K/9 from 7.1 K/9 last season). Despite Minnesota's struggles to find a steady closer at times, Jax hasn't been used at the end of games, however.

Shaw is listed as the Guardians' starting pitcher for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

While making his first start in 733 MLB appearances in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox, Shaw covered 2.1 innings, so he's likely to work more than a traditional opener while he picks up his second start of the week. Even so, Shaw probably shouldn't be expected to work any more than 3-to-4 innings, so he'll have a tough time qualifying for the win unless the Guardians race out to an early lead and maintain it throughout. Kirk McCarty is the primary option to work in long relief behind Shaw and is a likelier candidate to factor into any decision.

Sewald pitched the ninth inning without giving up any runs, hits or walks to pick up the save in a 5-4 win over the Astros on Saturday.

After the Mariners pulled ahead in the top of the ninth with a two-run inning, manager Scott Servais called on Sewald to protect a one-run lead. Sewald pitched a smooth three-up, three-down frame to earn his 13th save of the season. It was a nice bounce-back performance for Sewald after he gave up a couple of runs and blew the save his last time out against the Rangers. Sewald is in the midst of a career-best season and boasts a 2.72 ERA.

Pressly (3-3) gave up two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two over one inning of work to take the loss in a 5-4 defeat to the Mariners on Saturday.

Pressly had been very good in July, tallying two wins and two saves while posting an ERA of 2.00 coming into Saturday's game. However, he wasn't able to protect a one-run lead over the Mariners and gave up the game-winning hit on a two-out, two-RBI single to Abraham Toro. Despite being saddled with his third loss of the season, Pressly should get a chance to redeem himself shortly.

Heasley (1-6) allowed six runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out one across 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Yankees.

Heasley made his first start since July 9 after spending three weeks on the injured list. He received a rude welcome from the Yankees, as both DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge took Heasley yard to account for three of his earned runs. Heasley has had an up-and-down season for the Royals, allowing at least four earned runs in four of his last five appearances after logging a 3.62 ERA through his first six outings. That has resulted in a 5.50 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 52.1 innings on the campaign.

Fairbanks allowed two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Saturday against the Guardians.

Fairbanks successfully protected a two-run lead despite allowing the tying run to reach base. He now has two saves on the season and has served as the closer in each of the Rays' last two victories. Though it's difficult to project the ninth-inning role in Tampa Bay, it appears as if Fairbanks is the preferred option for the time being.

Rogers (2-3) struck out three in two perfect innings to earn the win Saturday over the Cubs.

Starter Jakob Junis didn't qualify for the win by going only four innings, with Rogers providing solid multi-inning relief. For much of July, Rogers' role has evolved into that of a middle reliever. He's allowed six runs on 10 hits and seven walks with seven strikeouts over 12.1 innings. He's posted a 4.56 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 29:16 K:BB in 47.1 innings overall while collecting 11 holds and a blown save through 45 outings.

Leone allowed a run on one hit over one inning, but he earned the save in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Cubs.

Yunior Marte got into trouble in the ninth inning, putting two on with no outs. Leone entered the game and allowed a single to load the bases. The Cubs were able to rally for three runs, with one charged to Leone on a Seiya Suzuki groundout, but the comeback effort fell just short. This was Leone's third save of the season, and he's added 11 holds and three blown saves in 40 appearances. The right-hander has a 3.96 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB through 36.1 innings. He'll likely be unavailable Sunday since he's pitched three days in a row.

Junis allowed five hits and a walk with four strikeouts in four scoreless innings, taking a no-decision Saturday versus the Cubs.

Junis stretched out to 74 pitches, but he wasn't very efficient with them in throwing only 45 strikes in this outing. He was at least able to keep runs off the board for the first time in three appearances since returning from a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old owns a 2.78 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 48:12 K:BB through 58.1 innings in 12 outings (nine starts) this year. Junis is projected for a tough home start versus the Dodgers next week.

Hudson didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 7-6 loss to Washington, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with one strikeout in 4.1 innings.

Making his first start since July 14 due to a neck injury, Hudson kept the damage to a minimum, surrendering a Victor Robles solo home run in the third inning and putting one runner on in the fifth who came around to score after Hudson departed. The 27-year-old has averaged an improved two walks per game during four July starts, though he still ranks last by a wide margin among 62 qualified starters with a 1.23 K/BB. Hudson carries a 4.10 ERA and 1.36 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to come midweek against the Cubs.