MLB Player News

Fitts didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Twins, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out two.

Despite allowing seven players to reach base, Fitts was at least able to limit the damage Monday. The right-hander's three walks were one short of a season high, and he's hurled at least five innings just one time over his last seven starts. Fitts holds a shaky 4.83 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB over 41 innings, and his next turn in Boston's rotation projects for a tough home matchup versus the Astros this weekend.

Kochanowicz did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs (none earned) on one hit and six walks over 4.2 innings in a 6-4 victory over the Rangers. He struck out three.

Kochanowicz had an eventful outing Monday in his first big-league start since July 10. While the Rangers had trouble squaring him up, they managed to reach base via walks and took advantage of a costly error by Gustavo Campero to plate two runs in the fifth inning. The walks are a concern, but holding Texas to no earned runs marked a positive step for Kochanowicz, who entered the game with a 7.51 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over his previous 10 starts spanning 44.1 innings.

Naylor went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a stolen base in a 3-1 victory versus the Athletics on Monday.

Naylor got the scoring started in the contest, belting a 405-foot solo blast in the second inning. The long ball was his first since making his Mariners debut July 27 as well as his first overall since July 7 (a span of 15 games). Naylor also continued to run wild Monday -- he swiped his fourth bag in his past three contests and has already blown past his previous career-high mark with 15 thefts on 17 attempts this season.

Sears (7-9) took the loss against Seattle on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 4.1 innings.

While Sears kept the A's in the game, he couldn't provide much length, needing 96 pitches (58 strikes) to get through 4.1 frames. The lefty did miss plenty of bats, racking up 14 whiffs and six strikeouts, though he also tied a season high with three walks. Sears has perked up in the punchout department of late with at least six Ks in four of his past five starts, but he's also given up at least one long ball in four straight outings. On the season, he holds a 4.95 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 97:29 K:BB over 111 frames across 22 starts.

Munoz notched a save against the Athletics on Monday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Munoz allowed a single to the first batter he faced in the ninth frame, but that baserunner was quickly wiped out when the next hitter grounded into a double play. Munoz then finished things off with a punchout to record his 24th save of the campaign. The All-Star closer has held the opponent without an earned run in 15 of his past 16 outings and is down to a superb 1.32 ERA on the season. Among AL closers, only Carlos Estevez (27) and Josh Hader (27) have more saves than Munoz so far this year.

Castillo (8-6) earned the win over the Athletics on Monday, allowing one run on five hits and no walks while striking out four batters over seven innings.

Castillo was more crafty than overpowering in the outing, as he notched just six whiffs and four punchouts. The veteran right-hander allowed only six baserunners (on five hits and one hit batsman), with the Athletics' lone run coming on a fielder's choice in the sixth frame. This was Castillo's 13th quality start of the campaign, tied for 11th-most in the majors. He's putting together another steadily reliable season, posting a 3.19 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 111:36 K:BB through 127 innings spanning 22 starts.

Smith (2-4) took the loss against the Rockies on Monday, allowing four runs (one earned) on two hits while recording only one out in the ninth inning. He did not register a strikeout.

With Emmanuel Clase on non-disciplinary leave through Aug. 31, it was Smith who received the team's first save chance in his absence. Unfortunately, he allowed the tying run to score on his own throwing error and was ultimately charged with three more runs. While it wasn't an ideal audition for the closer role, Smith has gone 3-for-5 in save opportunities this season with a 3.40 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 65:17 K:BB across 45 innings. It's unclear whether he'll get the next shot in the ninth or if manager Stephen Vogt will go with a committee approach moving forward.

Cecconi did not factor into the decision in Monday's 8-6 loss to the Rockies, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts over seven innings.

Cecconi threw 64 of 98 pitches for strikes and limited the Rockies to just two extra-base hits despite allowing 12 hard-hit balls. The 26-year-old closes out July with four quality starts in five outings and has now held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 13 starts this season. He'll take a 3.77 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 63:22 K:BB across 76.1 innings into a road matchup with the Mets early next week.

Triple-A Round Rock placed Teodo on its 7-day injured list June 12 due to an unspecified injury.

Teodo is on the shelf for the second time this season, after he previously missed about three weeks from late April through mid-May with a shoulder impingement. The 24-year-old right-hander has served as a full-time reliever for Round Rock when available, logging a 10.13 ERA, 2.25 WHIP and 19:17 K:BB over 16 innings.

Westburg went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Monday's 11-4 win over the Blue Jays.

It was Westburg's seventh game with at least three hits this season and his fourth such effort of the month of July. The 26-year-old infielder has gotten into a rhythm at the dish after missing about a month and a half due to a hamstring strain -- Westburg is slashing .289/.338/.504 with seven home runs, five doubles, 17 RBI and 26 runs scored across his last 130 plate appearances (32 games).