MLB Player News

Erceg (2-4) took the loss and a blown save Wednesday against Cleveland, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out one in a single inning.

Erceg was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the seventh with two runners on base and nobody out. Erceg allowed three RBI singles in the inning, resulting in a blown save and eventual loss. The 29-year-old had not allowed an earned run since July 21 before Wednesday's appearance, a 15-inning scoreless streak during which he notched six saves and seven holds with an elite 18:1 K:BB. Erceg's dominance over that stretch has granted him ample breathing room as the Royals' closer, even after Wednesday's lackluster appearance.

Arozerena went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Rays.

The Mariners broke the game open with a three-homer barrage in the fifth inning off Tyler Alexander, with Arozarena's blast following long balls from Victor Robles and Julio Rodriguez. Arozarena has a modest five-game hitting streak going, but through 23 games in August he's batting just .225 (18-for-80) with two of his 18 homers and four of his 20 steals on the season.

Castillo (11-12) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 6-2 victory over the Rays. He struck out four.

The 31-year-old right-hander left the mound after 97 pitches (60 strikes) just short of his 18th quality start of the season, but it was still a respectable performance from Castillo. In eight starts since the All-Star break, he's posted a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51:11 K:BB through 48 innings. Castillo will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Oakland.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Mariners.

The 26-year-old outfielder got the Rays on the board in the second inning by taking Luis Castillo deep. Lowe has gone yard twice in the last three games, and through 24 contests in August he's batting .269 (21-for-78) with four of his nine homers on the season, along with seven steals, 10 runs and 10 RBI.

Clase pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his 39th save of the season Wednesday against the Royals, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Clase allowed a one-out single to Bobby Witt, but he retired the next two batters to secure the 7-5 win for Cleveland. The 26-year-old has not allowed an earned run since all the way back on July 7 as he continues his historically dominant season. Clase owns a microscopic 0.58 ERA and 0.67 WHIP, with a 54:8 K:BB in 62.1 innings, converting 39-of-42 save opportunities. Clase's 0.58 ERA would be the second-lowest mark ever recorded in a single season (minimum 50 innings pitched), behind only Zack Britton (0.54) in 2016, per StatMuse.

Alexander (5-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Rays were downed 6-2 by the Mariners, coughing up five runs on five hits -- including three home runs -- and a walk over 4.1 innings of relief. He struck out four.

The southpaw was the third pitcher into the game for Tampa Bay, taking the mound with two outs in the fourth inning of a 1-1 tie, but Alexander quickly fell apart and served up homers to Victor Robles, Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena in the fifth frame. Alexander has been taken deep six times in his last four outings and 19 innings, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 5.68 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB. It's not clear when Zack Littell (shoulder) will be ready to rejoin the rotation, but if Alexander gets another turn as a starter or bulk reliever, he would line up for an appearance at home early next week against the Twins.

Bibee escaped with a no-decision in Wednesday's win against Kansas City, allowing five earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six in five innings.

Bibee uncharacteristically allowed three home runs Wednesday, including two in the opening frame to Michael Massey and Vinnie Pasquantino. The three home runs matched the total he allowed in his first six starts (33 innings) coming out of the All-Star break. Bibee was able to limit the damage and come away with a no-decision, but he has now allowed nine total runs over his last two starts. Despite the recent struggles, the 25-year-old has had an impressive sophomore season, posting a 3.65 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a dazzling 156:35 K:BB across 143 innings (26 starts). He will look to exact revenge in a rematch with the Royals early next week.

Wacha came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's loss to the Guardians, allowing five earned runs on nine hits while striking out seven in six-plus innings. He did not issue a walk.

Wacha allowed just two runs over the first six innings and was on pace to record his sixth consecutive quality start, but a three-run seventh inning soured an otherwise efficient outing. Bo Naylor led off the seventh with a solo home run before back-to-back singles by Steven Kwan and Andres Gimenez chased Wacha from the game. Both of those runners came around to score to give Wacha five earned runs on the night, the most he has allowed since May 4. Wednesday's outing represents a minor blemish in what has been an excellent campaign for the veteran, particularly since the All-Star break. Since the intermission, the 33-year-old is a perfect 5-0 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 42:11 K:BB in 49.2 innings (eight starts). He is scheduled for a rematch against Cleveland early next week.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Kjerstad (concussion) has begun to ramp up baseball activities, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Kjerstad's concussion has kept him on the injured list since Aug. 7, though he finally seems to be turning a corner in his recovery. The O's skipper noted that there is still no timetable in place for the 25-year-old outfielder's return, but the door is not closed on him rejoining Baltimore before the end of the season.

Booser (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Booser has been on the injured list since mid-August due to left elbow inflammation, and he has now been given the green light to return to a competitive setting. There's been no word yet on how long the Red Sox plan to keep the 32-year-old in the minors, though an early-September return seems plausible.