MLB Player News

Soto worked around a hit to pitch a clean ninth inning and record the save in Wednesday's win over the Rangers.

Soto has had a few hiccups this month, as he came into Wednesday's appearance having allowed four runs in five July innings, and he was a bit rocky in this one, as he hit a batter and committed a balk in addition to allowing a hit. However, he was able to escape trouble to record his team-leading 10th save of the season. The lefty has managed a solid 2.77 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 39 innings this year. Soto should remain a top option for saves in Detroit, though Michael Fulmer (neck) is set to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday and figures to get some ninth inning chances when he's able to return to the MLB roster.

Garcia did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless 10th inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Nationals.

Garcia was called upon to maintain a two-run lead in the 10th inning and needed only nine pitches to lock down his 14th save of the season. It was his first save since July 3, and he had been shaky in four outings since, allowing five earned runs, seven hits and four walks across just 3.1 innings. Therefore, this was a necessary clean outing for Garcia and may have been enough for him to hang onto the closer role. Anthony Bender picked up a save July 4, and he could be next in line for saves if the team decides to make a change. However, Bender had pitched three of the last four days so he was likely unavailable for this contest.

Hand (5-3) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out none across two innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Marlins.

Hand was called upon to to keep the game tied at 1-1 in the ninth inning, and he did so without allowing a baserunner. However, he ran into trouble in the 10th, walking a batter with one out before allowing a double and subsequent sacrifice fly. Though his trouble originated with the inning-opening runner in extras, Hand has now allowed three earned runs across the 7.1 innings covering his last six appearances while also being tagged with a blown save in that span. Even so, he has a 2.63 ERA with a 40:16 K:BB across 41 innings on the season.

Melancon struck out two batters in a perfect inning, earning the save in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, a 3-2 win over Atlanta.

The veteran righty leaned heavily on his knuckle curve, throwing seven of them in an easy, 11-pitch seventh inning against the bottom of Atlanta's order. Despite having a couple of tough outings in the past month, Melancon still boasts a 2.20 ERA and has converted 28 of 32 save opportunities this season, maintaining his status as one of the most valuable closers in baseball and fantasy alike.

Hoffman (3-5) took the loss Wednesday as the Reds were routed 7-0 by the Mets, giving up five runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

The right-hander wasn't really fooling anyone in his first appearance since May 26, as he tossed only 44 of 82 pitches for strikes and served up two homers. Hoffman hadn't allowed multiple homers in any of his 10 starts prior to landing on the IL with a shoulder impingement, but his control and command were both shaky prior to the injury. On the season, he sports a 5.20 ERA and 39:30 K:BB through 45 innings.

Scott (3-4) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk, striking out two in two-thirds of an inning and taking the loss in Wednesday's 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Rays.

With a one-run lead, Scott loaded the bases before striking out Vidal Brujan and getting Austin Meadows in an 0-2 hole. Meadows lined a two-run, game-winning single to center field, though, pinning Scott with both a blown save and a loss. Entering Wednesday, the hard-throwing lefty had held opponents scoreless in 17 of his last 20 appearances and hadn't allowed multiple runs in a game since May 24. Despite his poor performance Wednesday, Scott still boasts a 3.08 ERA and 13.0 K/9 in 38 innings and has been a bright spot in a tough season for Baltimore's bullpen.

McHugh (3-1) allowed one hit and a walk in two scoreless innings, striking out three and earning the victory in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Orioles.

The veteran righty has now held opponents scoreless in 13 consecutive appearances, striking out 38 and issuing only three free passes in that 27-inning span. After missing the 2020 season, McHugh has settled in with the Rays and become an incredibly valuable and versatile weapon capable of short starts and high-leverage relief appearances alike. His 1.51 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, three wins and five holds make him an intriguing fantasy option for the remainder of the season.

Wells allowed three runs on five hits, walking two and striking out seven in 5.2 innings of Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.

The rookie was one out shy of a quality start, but he had thrown 93 pitches and was pulled with two gone in the fifth. Wells' outing would've been even better if not for a pair of poorly located pitches, one a curveball and the other a fastball, that Randy Arozarena crushed for solo home runs. His K/9 was a modest 7.7 in 43 minor-league innings this year, so it remains to be seen whether his stuff truly plays in the big leagues or if Wednesday was an anomaly against the Rays, which strike out more than any team in baseball. It's unclear whether Wells will become a mainstay in Baltimore's rotation, or if he'll be either relegated to the bullpen or optioned to Triple-A once Keegan Akin (COVID-19) returns.

Brasier (concussion) has been cleared to increase baseball activities, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Brasier had been dealing with restrictions from the concussion protocol since early June, but he was able to resume some baseball activities in late June. Although the right-hander doesn't yet have a timetable to return to game action, his clearance to increase his workload represents a clear step forward in his recovery process.

Fulmer (neck) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Fulmer progressed to throwing bullpen sessions and live batting practice recently, and he'll now be able to return to game action with the minor-league club. The right-hander has been on the injured list since June 27 due to a right cervical spine strain in his neck, but he could return after a relatively brief rehab stint. Once Fulmer is cleared to rejoin the Tigers, he could reclaim a late-inning relief role with the major-league squad.