MLB Player News

Martin recorded his first career save in the Orioles' 3-2 win in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Felix Bautista (shoulder) on the injured list and with Gregory Soto Seranthony Dominguez getting traded in recent days, high-leverage roles are up for grabs in the Baltimore bullpen. Yennier Cano pitched the seventh inning in the Orioles' 16-4 win in the first game of the day, while Andrew Kittredge worked the eighth in the nightcap against the heart of the Blue Jays order before handing the ball over to Martin for the ninth. The 29-year-old right-hander was once a promising starting pitching prospect in the Houston system, but injuries have turned him into something of a journeyman. Martin doesn't quite have elite stuff as a reliever -- his fastball topped out at 97 miles per hour Tuesday, and his slider has a whiff rate of just 16.7 percent this season -- but interim manager Tony Mansolino is apparently willing to give him a look as part of the late-inning mix. Kittredge's usage Tuesday suggests he might be the favorite to handle the bulk of the save chances while Bautista is out, but he also might be the next arm shipped out before Thursday's trade deadline.

Young didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The 26-year-old righty was up as the 27th man for the twin bill and came through with his first career quality start, tossing 61 of 86 pitches for strikes before exiting. Young may have been making his last start for Baltimore this season, as Kyle Bradish (elbow) and Cade Povich (hip) are both wrapping up rehab assignments, but he mostly hasn't looked ready for regular duty in the majors, posting a 6.63 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 34:16 K:BB over his first 36.2 MLB innings.

Heineman went 3-for-3 with a walk in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

After going 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in the matinee, Heineman started the nightcap and kept the line moving from the eighth spot in the batting order. The 34-year-old backstop is handling starting duties for Toronto while Alejandro Kirk (concussion) is sidelined, and at least within this window, Heineman will have fantasy appeal in two-catcher formats -- he's gone 6-for-17 (.353) since the All-Star break, and on the season he is slashing a remarkable .343/.405/.520 over 119 plate appearances.

Barger went 3-for-8 with a double and a two-run home run across both games of Tuesday's doubleheader as the Blue Jays got swept by the Orioles.

The 25-year-old did his best to try and earn his team at least a split, homering in the matinee off Charlie Morton before ripping a one-out double in the eighth inning of the nightcap with the score tied 2-2, only to get stranded. Barger is slashing .294/.321/.529 over 13 games since the All-Star break with seven extra-base hits (four doubles, one triple and two homers), seven runs and 10 RBI.

Hoffman (6-4) took the loss in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, allowing one run on two hits in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

Brought in with the score tied at 2-2, Hoffman gave up back-to-back doubles to Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman to hand Baltimore the victory. Hoffman hadn't pitched in a week, but the extra rest did nothing to help his performance, and the right-hander sports a 5.00 ERA through nine innings in July despite a 1.11 WHIP and 12:1 K:BB, as much of the contact he's allowed has been hard -- five of the nine hits he's given up this month have gone for extra bases (three doubles, two homers). Barring a huge addition to the Toronto bullpen at the trade deadline, though, Hoffman's hold on the closer role appears secure as he's converted seven straight save chances, with his last blown save coming June 22.

Lauer came away with a no-decision in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.

The southpaw fired 53 of 77 pitches for strikes, and the only damage off him came in the fourth inning, when a one-out triple by Ryan O'Hearn drove in one run before a groundout brought him home. Lauer allowed two runs or fewer in all five of his July outings, posting a 2.79 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 30:3 K:BB through 29 innings on the month, but there's a chance he'll lose his rotation spot if the Blue Jays bring in a bigger-name starting pitcher at the trade deadline. If Lauer keeps his spot, he lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Colorado.

Kikuchi didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing four runs (three earned) on 10 hits and no walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

While Kikuchi didn't issue a walk for the first time in his last seven starts, he did concede a season-high 10 knocks. The 34-year-old southpaw failed to throw a single spotless inning, though just one of his hits allowed traveled for extra bases. Kikuchi will bring a 3.30 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 132:54 K:BB across 128 frames into next week's scheduled home outing versus the struggling Rays, who carry a .580 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the start of July.

Corbin didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Angels, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out six.

Corbin has really settled into Texas' rotation this season, having now pitched at least five innings in 16 straight starts. Additionally, the veteran southpaw has given up two runs or fewer in five consecutive outings, and he matched a season low in hits allowed Tuesday. Corbin will take a 3.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 93:32 K:BB across 109.2 innings into this weekend's scheduled appearance in Seattle against the Mariners, who have a poor .660 OPS versus left-handed pitching at home since the beginning of June.

Higashioka went 3-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 8-5 loss to the Angels.

Making his return from a five-game absence with a hamstring strain, Higashioka enjoyed the sixth multi-homer game of his career and his first such effort of the season. The veteran catcher is certainly pushing for more playing time, whether it behind the plate or as the designated hitter, with a red-hot stretch of hitting during the month of July. Over his last 14 games (51 at-bats), Higashioka is hitting .392 with five homers, two doubles and 11 RBI.

Jansen picked up the save in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Rangers, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.

The save was Jansen's 20th of the season, and he hasn't given up an earned run since his June 15 outing in Baltimore. Since then, the veteran right-hander has a 0.61 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB covering 16.1 innings as the Angels' closer. Jansen has been a rumored trade candidate ahead of Thursday's deadline, and it remains to be seen how a potential move might affect his fantasy value.