MLB Player News

Javier did not factor into the decision in Friday's 2-0 win over the Angels, allowing no hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six scoreless innings.

Javier generated eight of his nine whiffs with his fastball and held the Angels hitless over six innings, though Houston didn't get on the board until the bottom of the seventh. It was the 28-year-old's first quality start in four outings this year, and he's given up just nine hits across 16 innings despite issuing nine walks. He'll carry a 3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB into a home matchup with the Yankees next week.

Abel is expected to be available out of the bullpen for this weekend's series with the Padres, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Abel was called up from Triple-A St. Paul last week and made his Twins debut as a starter this past Saturday, giving up six runs in three innings in a loss to the White Sox. With the Twins welcoming Simeon Woods Richardson back from the 15-day injured list earlier this week and immediately re-entering the rotation, Abel will end up losing his starting spot. Expect him to fill a long-relief role out of the bullpen.

Gomez (3-2) took the loss against the Yankees on Friday, allowing five runs (four earned) on two hits and six walks with six strikeouts over four innings.

Gomez allowed a grand slam in the fourth inning and struggled with command overall, throwing just 47 of 87 pitches for strikes while issuing a season-high six walks. It marked a tough finish to an otherwise solid August, as the 25-year-old closed the month with a 3.86 ERA over his first four major-league starts. He'll carry a 5.20 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 35:24 K:BB across 36.1 innings into a road matchup with the Twins next week.

Funderburk notched the save in a 7-4 win over the Padres on Friday, allowing no hits and two walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

It was the first save of the season for Funderburk, whose usage was certainly interesting Friday. Justin Topa appeared to be first in line for save opportunities from the Minnesota bullpen, but he worked the seventh inning against San Diego. It's likely too early to gauge if Funderburk has definitively made his way into the closer picture -- the southpaw owns a dicey 4.40 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB for the year -- but he hasn't yielded an earned run over his last 11.2 innings.

Rodon (15-7) earned the win against the White Sox on Friday, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six innings.

Rodon allowed a run in the fifth inning while tossing five scoreless frames and generating 11 swinging strikes on 97 pitches. The veteran southpaw is now 5-1 in eight outings since the All-Star break, holding opponents to two earned runs or fewer six times with three quality starts in that span. He leads the American League with 15 wins and will take a 3.18 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 177:67 K:BB across 164.1 innings into a road matchup with the Astros next week.

Lewis went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in a 7-4 win over the Padres on Friday.

The homer was Lewis' ninth of the season and his fourth of the month. The oft-injured slugger is trying to end the season on a high note, and fantasy managers in need of pop in shallow leagues should give him a look. Over his last 11 outings (40 at-bats), Lewis is slashing .250/.318/.575 with five extra-base hits and nine RBI.

Jones with 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored in Friday's 5-4 win over the Mariners.

Jones launched a 402-foot homer in the seventh inning before adding a leadoff double and scoring the tying run in the ninth. The 27-year-old opened August in a 4-for-30 slump but has gone 4-for-8 with two homers over his past two contests. For the season, he's slashing .219/.311/.321 with five long balls, 31 RBI, 31 runs scored and seven steals across 348 plate appearances.

Vest notched the save Friday against the Royals, allowing one hit and no walks with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Tigers continue to deploy a committee approach at closer, with Vest working the ninth inning and Kyle Finnegan handling the eighth frame Friday. Although his usage could be frustrating at times, Vest remains worth holding onto for rosters in need of saves in the vast majority of fantasy leagues. The right-hander has a 2.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB while converting 20 of his 26 save chances over 58.2 innings.

Kurtz was removed from Friday's game against the Rangers with right oblique soreness, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

After scoring from second base during the third inning, Kurtz was replaced in the field to begin the fourth frame. The severity of his injury remains unknown, though the A's may play it safe and hold the rookie slugger out for a game or two. If that ends up being the case, Tyler Soderstrom and Brett Harris would be in play to start at first base.

Polanco went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Guardians.

Polanco staked the Mariners to a 4-0 lead with a two-run homer in the first inning. The 32-year-old has now hit safely in each of his past seven starts, posting five extra-base hits, seven RBI, six runs scored and a stolen base during that stretch. On the season, he's slashing .255/.318/.465 with 21 homers, 61 RBI, 50 runs scored and six steals across 423 plate appearances.