MLB Player News

The Twins transferred Smeltzer (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

The move is simply procedural, as the Twins needed a roster spot to add Saturday's starter Charlie Barnes to the 40-man roster. Smeltzer, who began a rehab assignment June 28, is still expected back from left elbow inflammation around the end of July.

Kimbrel pitched a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts in Friday's 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

It wasn't a save situation, but Kimbrel picked up right where he left off in the first half of the season. The veteran reliever now has a miniscule 0.55 ERA and has struck out 56 batters in just 32.2 innings. He's also saved 20 games in 22 opportunities. Kimbrel should remain a strong fantasy option the rest of the way.

Bummer allowed four runs on two hits, one walk and two wild pitches over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Astros.

Bummer, who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, had issues with control and threw 29 pitches without finishing the inning. On the plus side, he hit 96.3 mph.

Staumont (1-2) pitched a perfect inning and struck out two, earning the win Friday versus Baltimore.

Staumont worked the sixth inning and was awarded the win after starter Danny Duffy was removed as a precaution after four innings. Through 35.2 innings this year, Staumont has a 3.53 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB. He's added five saves and three holds, but he hasn't picked up a save since May 19, as manager Mike Matheny seems to prefer Greg Holland for closing duties.

Valdez allowed three hits and struck out two over three innings in Friday's 9-2 loss to Kansas City.

Valdez was utilized in a long-relief capacity after starter Keegan Akin struggled through three innings. This was Valdez's first scoreless outing since June 9, although he missed time with a lower-back strain during that span. It's unclear what kind of role the right-hander will have going forward -- he's logged eight saves this season but none since May 10. He's posted a 6.25 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB across 31.2 innings overall.

Akin (0-5) took the loss against Kansas City on Friday, completing three innings and allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two.

The Royals put at least one run on the board in each of Akin's three frames, and they crossed the plate four times in a big second inning. The southpaw needed 74 pitches to retire nine batters, and he has now given up at least four earned runs in each of his past seven outings. Given his 8.19 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and paltry 21.5 strikeout percentage, he doesn't carry much fantasy appeal. Akin is tentatively slated to next face Washington at home next Friday.

Clase (3-5) suffered the loss and blown save in Friday's 5-4 loss to Oakland, allowing two hits and two runs in one third of an inning.

Clase entered in the ninth protecting a one-run lead and surrendered a leadoff single to Elvis Andrus followed by a Jed Lowrie walk-off home run two batters later for his third straight blown save and third loss in four appearances. The 23-year-old righty has now allowed five runs in his last 3.1 innings, though his ERA still sits at 2.19 on the season.

Morgan threw five innings in a 5-4 loss to the Athletics on Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts. He didn't factor into the decision.

Morgan's problem inning was a two-run third, when he allowed three hits, and the rookie also surrendered a single run in the third on a Mitch Moreland homer. The start was only his third allowing three runs or less in six turns, and the five innings matched a career high, though both benchmarks are a bit uninspiring. He currently lines up to pitch in Houston on Wednesday.

Manaea took the no-decision in Friday's 5-4 win over Cleveland, allowing three runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings.

Manaea held Cleveland scoreless through four innings but allowed a Roberto Perez solo home run in the fifth and permitted three baserunners and one run in the sixth before departing. The lefty broke out of his four-start losing streak and has now allowed three runs or less in 10 of his last 11 starts, pitching to a 3.28 ERA on the season.

Moore gave up two runs on six hits and zero walks while striking out nine through 4.1 innings in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Marlins. He did not factor in the decision.

Moore's prior season high in strikeouts was five, set April 11 in Atlanta, so this seems like quite an outlier for the journeyman lefty. He has failed to log more than 4.1 innings in any of his last three appearances and tentatively lines up to face the Yankees on the road Wednesday.