MLB Player News

Bednar recorded his 24th save Sunday against the Cubs, allowing one walk while striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Bednar entered in the eighth inning with two outs after Paul Blackburn left runners on the corners. He induced a flyout from Ian Happ to escape the threat, then worked around a walk to Pedro Ramirez in the ninth to lock down his 24th save of the season. The veteran closer has now held the opponent scoreless in 23 of his last 24 appearances while converting 13 saves during that stretch. On the year, Bednar owns a 2.61 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 54:15 K:BB across 48.1 innings.

Cole (5-5) earned the win Sunday against the Cubs, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out five over 5.2 innings.

Cole threw 63 of his 99 pitches for strikes and picked up his second consecutive victory. His only blemish came in the fourth inning when Michael Busch delivered an RBI single. The veteran right-hander has been excellent since the All-Star break, allowing just six runs across 24.2 innings while piling up 31 strikeouts in four starts. Through 13 outings this season, Cole owns a 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 78:17 K:BB across 73.2 innings. He's scheduled to make his next start Saturday against Atlanta.

Jax (6-9) took the loss Sunday against the White Sox, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks in five innings. He struck out eight.

A fielding error by Jax himself with two outs in the opening inning kept two earned runs off his ledger, much to the delight of fantasy managers. Sunday thus went down as the right-hander's third consecutive start with just one earned run allowed, and Jax has certainly found his way as part of the starting rotation after beginning his first year with the Rays as a reliever. Over 82.2 innings as a starter, he's posted a 3.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 90:23 K:BB as opposed to an 8.00 ERA and 1.89 WHIP across nine frames out of the bullpen. Jax is next slated to take the ball in Seattle at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park.

Blubaugh recorded his first major-league save Sunday against the Rangers, striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings.

With five relievers, including Josh Hader, having pitched the previous night, Blubaugh was called upon with two outs and two runners aboard in the eighth inning. He escaped the jam by striking out Jake Burger before retiring the Rangers in order on just nine pitches in the ninth to secure the first save of his MLB career. The right-hander has now recorded consecutive scoreless appearances for the first time since July 1, though he has continued to miss bats throughout that stretch, compiling a 21:3 K:BB across 16 innings.

Kay (8-5) notched the win Sunday against the Rays, allowing no runs on seven hits and one walk in 6.1 innings. He struck out three.

It was an impressive performance by the left-hander, who delivered his first scoreless start since June 22 versus the Guardians. Kay submitted his longest outing of the campaign as well, scattering seven singles Sunday in what was also encouragingly his first appearance without a hit batsman since July 3 in Cleveland. Kay should carry a bit of streaming appeal in his next scheduled start against a scuffling Guardians lineup, carrying a 4.01 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 90:42 K:BB over 110 innings.

Lambert did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Rangers, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over 5.2 innings.

Lambert was perfect through his first four innings, piling up seven strikeouts before Texas finally broke through. In the fifth, the right-hander allowed four consecutive baserunners to begin the inning, resulting in the only two runs charged to him. Lambert has now held opponents to two runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts while posting a 2.63 ERA during that stretch. He's scheduled to make his next start Saturday against the Padres.

Rocker did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Astros, allowing three runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out five over 5.1 innings.

Rocker threw 59 of his 88 pitches for strikes and generated 15 whiffs despite allowing a season-high 10 hits. The biggest blow came in the fourth inning, when Jeremy Pena launched a two-run homer. The right-hander has now issued multiple walks in four straight starts, posting a 4.56 ERA during that stretch. For the season, Rocker owns a 4.08 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 98:40 K:BB across 108 innings. His next start is scheduled for Saturday against the Orioles.

The Rangers outrighted Gonzales to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Gonzales cleared waivers and will stick around in the Texas organization after he was designated for assignment Friday. The veteran southpaw was up with the Rangers for about a week and a half, making two relief appearances and allowing one earned run on seven hits and four walks across six innings.

Torres went 1-for-2 with four walks, two RBI and three runs scored in Sunday's 11-0 win over the Athletics.

Torres was on base regularly Sunday as he set a new season high in walks. The veteran second baseman put together the strong performance on the heels of hitting his sixth home run of the season Saturday. Torres is a steady offensive contributor with a good eye at the plate, and his current .389 on-base percentage would represent a new career best. His ability to get on base at a good clip should allow him to score plenty of runs moving forward and elevate his overall fantasy value.

The Blue Jays acquired Bateman and infielder Ty Southisene from the Cubs on Sunday in exchange for right-hander Kevin Gausman, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old Bateman has had an impressive season at Triple-A Iowa, slashing .312/.430/.421 with three home runs and 20 steals over 82 games. He'll report to the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo and could have a shot at making his MLB debut later this season, though Toronto would need to add him to its 40-man roster.