MLB Player News

Soto pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save Friday against the Blue Jays. He struck out one.

Soto needed just eight pitches to work through the ninth inning and preserve the Tigers' 2-1 win. The lefty now has a team-high 16 saves in 17 chances this season. Michael Fulmer and, to a lesser extent, Jose Cisnero remain in the mix for saves, but Soto remains the top fantasy option in the Detroit bullpen for the moment.

Peters (0-2) picked up the loss pitching five innings while allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts in a loss to St. Louis on Friday.

The left-hander posted a solid first four innings before running into trouble in the fifth surrendering a two-run home run to Tommy Edman. Only the third start of the season for Peters, the southpaw now carries a 3.07 ERA into his next start likely against the Cubs.

Alzolay (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay made his first rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday and allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while striking out three in two innings. The Cubs are expected to determine the next steps in the right-hander's recovery based on how he performs during Friday's throwing session.

Ottavino collected the save pitching a scoreless ninth inning with one walk and two strikeouts in a 4-3 win over Cleveland on Friday.

Ottavino worked around a leadoff walk and stolen base from pinch-runner Andres Gimenez in the ninth to secure save No. 9 of the season. The veteran reliever has now worked five consecutive scoreless outings out of the bullpen, and carries a 3.51 ERA as we inch closer to September.

King (finger) threw live batting practice Friday, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

King began his throwing program Tuesday, and manager Aaron Boone said Friday that the right-hander might start a rehab assignment soon. The 27-year-old will presumably require several rehab appearances since he's been on the injured list since early July, but he's made significant progress in his recovery recently.

Naughton was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Naughton returned to the minors Aug. 11 and tossed five scoreless innings across his two most recent appearances. The southpaw allowed one run in a relief inning during his major-league debut Aug. 8 and will be available as a low-leverage reliever.

Staumont (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

Staumont was placed on the injured list for an unspecified reason Thursday, but he'll rejoin the bullpen a day later. Across his last five appearances, the right-hander has earned four holds with a 2.08 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in 4.1 innings.

Jackson will pitch behind opener Brusdar Graterol in Friday's game against the Rockies, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 25-year-old will serve as the primary pitcher in Friday's series opener, but Graterol will begin the game on the mound. During Jackson's major-league debut in mid-August, he allowed two hits and four walks while striking out five in four scoreless innings.

Criswell will be called up to start Friday against the Padres, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Criswell has made16 minor-league starts this season, most recently logging a 3.98 ERA and 27:6 K:BB across four outings with Triple-A Salt Lake. It will likely be a spot start for the right-hander, though a strong performance would go a long way to keeping him in the big leagues going forward.

Graterol will serve as an opener during Friday's game against the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. .

Graterol has pitched well since being recalled Aug. 3. posting a 1.59 ERA across his last 11.1 innings. The Dodgers' pitching plans after the right-hander aren't yet clear, but Andre Jackson figures to be a candidate to provide multiple relief innings.