MLB Player News

Wittgren (2-4) allowed a run on one hit and struck out two in 1.1 innings, taking the loss versus the White Sox on Sunday.

The right-hander pitched a clean eighth inning in a tied game, but he allowed a walkoff solo home run to Brian Goodwin in the ninth. This was Wittgren's second loss in his last four outings. The 30-year-old now has a 5.55 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 43:8 K:BB through 35.2 innings, mainly working in a medium-leverage role that's seen him collect a save and seven holds.

Knehr allowed one earned run on two hits while striking out two across three innings in the win over the Rockies on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.

Knehr replaced Chris Paddack (oblique) in the starting rotation, making his second start of the season Sunday. Although he only made it through three innings, his only blemish came on a second-inning solo home run by Sam Hilliard. It was his third appearance; however, his 1.2 innings and three runs against Atlanta on July 21 aren't official yet as the game was rained out and has yet to be completed. The 24-year-old has allowed runs in each of his appearances and will likely continue to serve as a temporary option until Paddack returns.

Hand allowed one unearned run on two hits and no walks in one inning during Friday's win over the Royals.

Hand made his team debut with the Blue Jays holding a four-run lead Friday, and he gave up a pair of singles to lead off the eighth inning. However, a throwing error allowed Nicky Lopez to score with no outs in the inning before the southpaw retired the next three batters he faced. Although Hand was relatively effective against Kansas City, he currently appears to be the setup man behind right-hander Jordan Romano.

Pivetta (8-5) lost Sunday's 3-2 game at the hands of the Rays, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Pivetta was rolling to open the game, retiring the first eight Rays he faced, but walked Mike Zunino and surrendered a Brandon Lowe two-run homer immediately after to fall behind for good. He allowed two more hits and a run in the fifth before being removed after 76 pitches. The 28-year-old has now failed to reach five innings in three of his last four starts, permitting at least three runs in all four. He lines up to face Toronto next weekend.

Alzolay allowed four runs across five innings and did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Nationals. He gave up seven hits and four walks while striking out four.

Alzolay managed to avoid his 12th loss of the season but continued a run of mediocre starts, as he hasn't earned a win since June 2. Over his last nine outings, he has a 1.51 WHIP and has allowed either three or four earned runs eight times. The 26-year-old isn't getting shelled but hasn't dominated hitters in a while, either. Alzolay will carry a 4.85 ERA into his next scheduled start Saturday against the crosstown White Sox.

Kittredge, who now sports a 7-1 record after earning the win Saturday against the Red Sox, has generated six consecutive scoreless efforts and owns a 1.08 ERA and 9.7 K/9 in the 8.1 innings covering his seven post-All-Star-break appearances.

The veteran reliever's career-best season, which included his first All-Star nomination, continues rolling along without a hitch as the last two months-plus of the regular season begin. Kittredge's seven wins are already a personal best by a comfortable margin, as are his 1.40 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. The 31-year-old boasts a diverse fantasy profile that also includes five holds and two saves, and with Diego Castillo now in Seattle, it's conceivable Kittredge even sees some save opportunities down the stretch.

Blach (elbow) began a rehab assignment with the Orioles' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate and has made five appearances, tossing five innings and allowing an unearned run on one hit and no walks while striking out six.

Blach's 2020 season was wiped out after he underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-July, but he re-signed with the Orioles on a minor-league deal in March and has been rehabbing at the team's spring facility in Florida for the past few months. The southpaw was cleared for game action almost a year after his procedure, and the early returns have been encouraging. The Orioles assigned Blach to High-A Aberdeen coming out of the spring, so he'll presumably settle with that affiliate once he completes his FCL rehab assignment.

Kelly (hamstring) appeared in relief in Friday's 6-5 loss and Saturday's 8-3 win against the Diamondbacks, tossing perfect innings in both outings.

Before he was summoned out of the bullpen Friday, Kelly had been out of action since July 30 while recovering from a minor hamstring injury. He's seemingly come out of both appearances without any setbacks, so he should be an integral part of the bridge to closer Kenley Jansen moving forward.

Bednar allowed one run on three hits and no walks in one inning during Saturday's win over the Phillies.

Bednar hadn't allowed any runs in July prior to Saturday's appearance, but he gave up Pittsburgh's one-run lead in the eighth inning against the Phillies. Per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the right-hander profiles as the Pirates' closer after Richard Rodriguez was traded to Atlanta on Friday. However, Chris Stratton earned the win Saturday by tossing a scoreless ninth inning, and manager Derek Shelton said before Saturday's game that the Pirates will use a closer-by-committee approach, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Hendriks (5-2) allowed a hit and struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday, earning a victory over Cleveland.

Hendriks came into a tied game and worked around a two-out single by Franmil Reyes to hold the game at 1-1. He picked up the win after Brian Goodwin's walkoff homer the next half-inning. The 32-year-old righty is 5-2 with 26 saves and a 2.47 ERA through 47.1 innings.