MLB Player News

Newcomb allowed an unearned run on two hits and a hit batsman and struck out three without walking a batter over 1.2 innings to earn the save in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Angels.

Tyler Ferguson put two runners on in the eighth inning, but Newcomb was able to defuse the situation. Newcomb then allowed a run in the ninth, but the Athletics' lead was never in any real danger after the team padded its advantage in the eighth. This was Newcomb's first save since the 2021 campaign with Atlanta. He's allowed just the one unearned run over his last nine appearances, a stretch that covers 11.2 innings and includes a 16:3 K:BB. He's in a late-inning role for now, but Saturday's usage doesn't suggest he's a primary option for saves, and the Athletics' overall struggles make those opportunities hard to come by anyway. Newcomb has maintained a 2.97 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 82:28 K:BB over 78.2 innings across 38 appearances (five starts) between the Athletics and the Red Sox this year.

Morales (1-0) allowed a run on five hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Saturday.

Morales had mixed results in his first start last Sunday versus the Orioles, but he was steady after a shaky first inning in his second start. This was a good enough effort for Morales to come away with his first big-league win in just his third appearance. He's pitched to a 1.86 ERA despite a 1.66 WHIP and 9:8 K:BB through 9.2 innings since he was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas. Morales is tentatively projected for a somewhat tough road start versus the Mariners next week.

Holliday went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in an extra-innings loss to the Astros on Saturday.

Holliday's homer was a clutch one, as it knotted up the game 4-4 in the eighth inning. The long ball was also his first since July 23. Holliday batted only .188 with just two extra-base hits during the 20-game power drought, lowering his season OPS by 50 points to .685. He does have 15 homers and 11 thefts on the campaign, but he hasn't quite broken out yet, at least not to the degree typically expected of a first-overall draft pick.

Povich did not factor in the decision against Houston on Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out 10 batters over five relief innings.

Baltimore opted to deploy righty Rico Garcia as an opener before turning to the lefty Povich to begin the second frame. It was just the second time Povich has worked as a bulk reliever this season, and he handled the role fairly well, notching a season-high 10 strikeouts and tallying an impressive 18 whiffs despite giving up three runs. Povich handled a typical starter's workload with 91 pitches (60 strikes), so it seems likely that he'll remain synched up with the rest of the rotation regardless of whether he returns to a traditional starting role or is used behind an opener again. He's lined up for a rematch against the Astros his next time out.

Alexander completed six innings against Baltimore on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out six batters in a no-decision.

Alexander wasn't able to record a third straight scoreless outing, but he did notch his third consecutive quality start. His six punchouts also tied a season-high mark, and he didn't walk a batter for the first time among his six starts (he's also come out of the bullpen five times). Alexander has impressed in a starting role this season, registering a 2.86 ERA with a 28:11 K:BB across 34.2 innings. The Astros are close to getting starters Lance McCullers (finger) and Luis Garcia (elbow) back from injuries, and despite the recent run of success, it remains to be seen if Alexander will be able to keep a rotation spot when those hurlers return.

Cecconi (5-6) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits and two walks while striking out three batters over 4.2 innings.

Cecconi got through a scoreless first inning but struggled thereafter. The biggest blow to his stat line came on a three-run homer by Michael Harris in the fifth. Cecconi failed to make it through five frames for the second straight start following a streak of six consecutive outings of six-plus innings. He's been particularly hurt by the long ball of late, serving up 11 homers across his past 52.2 frames. On the season, his 1.7 HR/9 is the eighth-worst figure among MLB hurlers who have thrown at least 80 innings.

Kim went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Kim has logged a steal in two of his last three games, going 4-for-11 in that span. The 29-year-old has regained a starting job at shortstop since returning from a stint on the injured list due to lower-back tightness at the start of August. Kim should be able to keep the job a while longer while Taylor Walls (groin) is out. For the season, Kim has a poor .213/.298/.333 slash line with two home runs, six steals, five RBI and five runs scored over 84 plate appearances, though he's been bothered by a handful of injuries throughout the campaign.

Fairbanks allowed a hit and struck out three to earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Fairbanks continues to bounce back from a rough July with a strong August. While he allowed a hit for a third straight outing, he was able to secure his fourth straight save while extending his scoreless streak to six innings. Fairbanks is now 22-for-26 in save chances while pitching to a 2.53 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB through a career-high 46.1 innings.

Houser allowed four hits and struck out six without walking a batter over five scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Giants on Saturday.

Houser took advantage of a favorable matchup, and while he didn't get in the win column, he left the Rays in a strong position. He's still given up nine runs over 15.2 innings since he was dealt from the White Sox, but Saturday's performance suggests he may be getting comfortable with his new team. On the year, he's maintained a 2.67 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 60:26 K:BB through 84.1 innings over 14 starts. The 32-year-old is tentatively lined up to make his next start at home versus the Cardinals.

Bello (9-6) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with two strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

Bello was extremely efficient, throwing 52 of 78 pitches for strikes while limiting damage despite giving up 10 hard-hit balls. It was a solid rebound after surrendering five runs to San Diego last Sunday, and the 26-year-old has now gone at least five innings in 14 straight starts dating back to June 3. He'll take a 3.23 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 97:45 K:BB over 128 innings into a road matchup with the Yankees next weekend.