MLB Player News

Latz earned the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Athletics, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Latz was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on 14 pitches. Jakob Junis, who had appeared to be the Rangers' preferred option for saves, was used in the eighth. The 30-year-old Latz owns a 1.23 ERA, 0.48 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 14.2 innings with one save and two holds, and it appears manager Skip Schumaker will operate with a ninth-inning committee for the time being.

O'Hoppe was removed from Saturday's game against the Royals due to left wrist irritation.

While playing defense in the bottom of the seventh, O'Hoppe took a foul ball directly off his exposed left wrist and was in obvious pain. Prior to leaving the contest, the 26-year-old went 0-for-3 at the plate. Travis d'Arnaud (foot) has replaced O'Hoppe behind the plate.

Fraley went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Twins.

Fraley gave the Rays a 2-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish with a 401-foot blast in the fourth inning. He was later replaced by Jonny DeLuca, who entered to face lefty Taylor Rogers in the seventh. On the season, the 30-year-old Fraley is slashing .240/.309/.440 with two homers, four RBI, four runs scored and two steals across 55 plate appearances.

Williamson went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, two RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Twins.

Williamson provided damage late, lacing an RBI triple in the seventh inning before driving in another run with a double in the eighth. The 25-year-old has drawn back-to-back starts against righties and is in the lineup more often than not in the Rays' middle infield. On the year, he's slashing .261/.338/.362 with five doubles, one triple, 10 RBI, 13 runs scored and two steals across 78 plate appearances.

Okamoto went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Guardians.

His fourth-inning solo shot off Joey Cantillo got Toronto on the board, giving Okamoto his second homer in as many days and his third in the last six games. The 29-year-old has five multi-hit performances in the last 11 contests, batting .282 (11-for-39) over that stretch with eight runs and eight RBI.

Varland recorded his second save of the season in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Guardians, allowing one run on three hits and a walk in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Getting his first save chance after Toronto manager John Schneider officially announced that Jeff Hoffman would no longer be viewed as the team's primary closer, Varland seemed to buckle under the pressure, throwing 19 of 30 pitches for strikes as he gave up his first earned run of 2026. The right-hander kept his focus, however, and fanned Bo Naylor and Brayan Rocchio to end the threat. Varland still sports a 0.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB through 14 innings, but a repeat of Saturday's performance might encourage Schneider to give other relievers a look in the ninth.

McClanahan (2-2) earned the win against the Twins on Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven over five scoreless innings.

McClanahan cruised through five frames, throwing 60 of 86 pitches for strikes while generating 15 whiffs and limiting the Twins to only singles. While the southpaw has yielded two earned runs or fewer in four of five outings this season, he has yet to pitch beyond the fifth inning as he continues to ease his way back from a lengthy absence due to Tommy John surgery and nerve issues in his arm. He owns a 3.91 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 25:13 K:BB across 23 innings and lines up for a home matchup against the Giants next weekend.

Scholtens will operate in a bulk-relief role in Sunday's series finale against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays will opt to use Griffin Jax as the opening pitcher for the contest, with Jax likely to work the first inning or two before turning the ball over to Scholtens. Scholtens made his first start of the season against the Reds this past Monday, when he took the loss after allowing five runs while striking out six across 5.2 innings without issuing a walk. The 32-year-old right-hander has a 2.93 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings with Tampa Bay this season.

Jax will serve as the Rays' opener for Sunday's series finale against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jesse Scholtens was originally slated to start in Sunday's game, but he'll instead follow Jax in bulk relief. Jax has given up at least one earned run in two of his last three outings and has an 8.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP two holds and a 10:7 K:BB across nine innings this season.

Gausman (2-1) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits over 6.2 innings in a 5-3 victory over the Guardians. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The veteran righty tossed 63 of 91 pitches for strikes en route to his fourth quality start of the season in six trips to the mound. Gausman's three Ks were a season low, however, and after racking up a stunning 21:0 K:BB through his first two starts, he's managed just a 17:7 K:BB in 23 frames over his last four. He's been effective either way and will take a 2.57 ERA and 0.94 WHIP into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Minnesota.