MLB Player News

Rojas struck out four and scattered four hits and two walks over three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Royals.

Rojas tossed four scoreless frames in a start against the Athletics in his last appearance over the weekend, but he shifted back to a relief role this week after Connor Prielipp (finger) returned from the injured list to fill the open spot in the rotation. Rojas, a 23-year-old lefty, mopped up after starter Joe Ryan covered the first six innings, and the former trimmed his ERA down to 2.51 for the season. Ryan is expected to be a sought-after commodity ahead of Monday's trade deadline, and if he ends up getting moved, Rojas could be first in line to join the Minnesota rotation.

Tolbert went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double, an additional run scored, a steal and a walk in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Twins.

Tolbert opened the scoring with a solo homer in the third inning. He also showed off his elite speed by stealing second base after drawing a leadoff walk in the seventh frame. The utility man has seen limited opportunities this season but has put up good numbers when called upon, slashing .324/.373/.485 with three homers, six RBI, 21 runs and 13 stolen bases in 79 plate appearances. Tolbert has seen increased playing time at shortstop while Bobby Witt (back) has been sidelined, though the latter's return likely isn't far off.

Benge went 3-for-7 with a double and an RBI across both games of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta.

The Mets managed only eight hits in total in the twin bill, but they still came away with a split as Benge's RBI double in the seventh inning of the matinee proved to be the game-winning knock. The rookie outfielder is putting the finishing touches on a strong July that's seen him deliver a .282/.360/.410 slash line through 21 games with four doubles, two homers, five steals, nine RBI and 10 runs.

Scott (3-3) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

The 27-year-old right-hander lasted at least six innings for the first time this season and delivered his first quality start, but Scott got outdueled by Chris Sale in an eventual 1-0 Atlanta win. Over five outings in July, Scott has a 2.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB through 24.1 innings, and he's emerged as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Mets. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Cleveland.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Kurtz will undergo an MRI on Thursday after X-rays on his left forearm were "kind of unclear," Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kurtz was forced to depart Wednesday's contest versus the Red Sox after being struck on the forearm by a Patrick Sandoval pitch. The Athletics should offer an update on the star first baseman's status later Thursday. Kurtz just returned from the injured list less than a week ago after missing time with a thumb injury.

Williams recorded his 15th save of the season in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Airbender needed 18 pitches (12 strikes) to protect a 3-2 lead, giving up a two-out single to Mauricio Dubon before fanning Austin Riley to end the matinee. Williams has had a bumpy first season with the Mets, and even though he's produced a 2.70 ERA and 20:6 K:BB over 16.2 innings since the beginning of June, his 1.56 WHIP and 3.2 BB/9 contributed to blowing two of his nine save chances during that span.

Manaea didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The veteran lefty tossed 59 of 89 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight quality start and fourth of the season, but the Mets didn't push the winning run across the plate until the seventh inning. Manaea continues to put together a remarkable turnaround on his season -- he sat with a 6.26 ERA on May 17 and had been demoted to the bullpen, but since the beginning of June he's delivered a 3.75 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 50:15 K:BB over 57.2 innings while reclaiming a spot in the rotation. Manaea is set to make his next trip to the mound on the road next week in Cleveland.

Iglesias recorded his 22nd save of the season in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, working a perfect ninth inning without striking out a batter.

Chris Sale blanked New York for six innings before handing things off to his bullpen, and Iglesias wrapped up the combined shutout on just eight pitches, all strikes. It was a strong rebound for the veteran closer after he blew his last save chance Sunday, but Iglesias will probably be happy to see the calendar flip to August -- over 11 appearances in July, he's been charged with at least one run five times, stumbling to a 5.06 ERA in 10.2 innings despite a respectable 1.13 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB.

The Athletics outrighted Hartlieb to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Hartlieb has the ability to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency, but he already accepted an outright assignment earlier this month and could do so again. The reliever has allowed nine runs with a 6:9 K:BB over 13.1 frames during his time with the Athletics this season.

Sale (12-6) picked up the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, allowing just two hits over six scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory. He struck out nine without walking a batter.

After Atlanta lost 3-2 in the matinee, its ace took the mound for the nightcap and all but ensured the team would come away with a split. Sale fired 63 of 94 pitches for strikes in his 13th quality start of the season, and he hasn't given up more than three runs in an outing since April 6. The veteran southpaw will take a 2.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 143:26 K:BB through 117 innings into his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Marlins.