MLB Player News

Smith worked around two walks to earn the save in a scoreless ninth inning Thursday against the Giants. He struck out one.

San Francisco brought the potential tying run to the plate, but Smith was able to hang on and close it out for the Guardians. The star closer hasn't let in an earned run since July 12 in Miami, a streak of 12 straight outings. Through 57 innings this year, Smith boasts a 2.21 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 80:20 K:BB with 32 saves in 37 chances.

The Angels recalled Peralta from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Peralta has given up five earned runs over 5.2 major-league innings this season, but he'll be welcomed back into the Angels' bullpen in order to make up for the loss of Samy Natera (back). Peralta isn't likely to see much work outside of low-leverage situations.

The Angels placed Natera on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Monday, with lower-back spasms.

Natera hasn't appeared in game since Aug. 11, though his back didn't begin to bother him until Saturday. He'll now be forced to remain on the sidelines through the end of the month, which will allow Ben Joyce to continue working as the Angels' premier high-leverage reliever. Sammy Peralta was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Gimenez had "good strength, good mobility" during testing of his right hamstring after Thursday's game versus the Rays, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Gimenez was removed from Thursday's game when he tweaked his hamstring while attempting to beat out an infield single. The Blue Jays will wait to see how Gimenez feels Friday, but for now he is not scheduled to undergo an MRI. If Gimenez does ultimately have to miss time, Josh Smith and/or Charles McAdoo would be in line for more playing time.

Williams (12-7) notched the win against the Giants on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out 11.

Williams dominated at times, touching 100 mph with his fastball while generating 18 whiffs, but San Francisco managed to get to him for a pair of runs in the fourth inning. The right-hander continues to be a strikeout artist, fanning double-digit hitters in six of his last eight outings. Williams, who is tied with Dylan Cease for the AL lead in punchouts, will take a 3.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 201:48 K:BB over 154.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance against the Angels in Anaheim.

Bieber (5-2) notched the win against Tampa Bay on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks in seven innings. He struck out seven.

Bieber authored arguably his finest performance of the season so far, spinning seven innings of one-run ball versus the first-place Rays. The right-hander matched a season high in innings and registered a season-best seven punchouts while throwing at least 5.2 frames in his fourth straight start. Bieber will try to further improve on a 4.53 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 44:24 K:BB over 55.2 innings in his next scheduled appearance, which is projected to be a favorable home draw versus the Royals.

McMahon (thumb) is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Baltimore.

McMahon injured his left thumb on a slide Wednesday. X-rays came back negative, per Erik Boland of Newsday, but McMahon will have more imaging Friday. Jose Caballero is drawing the start at third base for the Yankees.

Seymour (9-4) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out eight.

Seymour had trouble keeping the ball in the park Thursday, serving up a season-high three home runs. The left-hander didn't quite last long enough to push for what would have been his fourth straight quality start, but on a positive note he's now recorded at least seven punchouts in four straight outings. Seymour will try to reduce the hard contact in Detroit his next time out, carrying a 4.17 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and an especially strong 123:32 K:BB over 101.1 innings.

Narvaez will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game versus the Yankees.

Samuel Basallo returned from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, but he's made one start at first base and one at designated hitter, allowing Narvaez to make a fourth consecutive start Thursday. Since Basallo is coming back from a right shoulder injury, the Orioles could be easing him back into catching duties. Narvaez is just 3-for-35 at the plate since joining Baltimore and has a .489 OPS on the season, so he's not a recommended fantasy play even if he does continue seeing regular reps.

Outman (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Outman has been on the 7-day concussion IL since last Thursday, and he appears to be nearing the final stages of his recovery now that he's been cleared to play in rehab games. It's unclear how many reps the Tigers will have him take at Toledo before adding him back onto the active roster, but a return during Detroit's upcoming weekend series in Kansas City isn't out of the question. Top prospect Max Clark is now operating as the club's primary center fielder, but Outman could still have a path to playing time once fully cleared if Riley Greene (hamstring), Kerry Carpenter (foot) and Matt Vierling (thigh) remain sidelined.