MLB Player News

With the A’s taking Jack Perkins out of the mix to replace Mason Miller, Kelly seems like a leading candidate for saves on the roster of the team currently based in Sacramento. However, while he’s allowed just three runs in 20 innings since returning from his gambling suspension, his 13/9 K/BB isn’t impressive at all. He doesn’t really seem worth speculating on at the moment.

Soriano gave up five hits, walked one and struck out five. He had a no-hitter through six innings, but ran into trouble in the seventh with five Tigers hits leading to four runs. Soriano is 3-1 with a 4.27 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings over eight starts since joining the Blue Jays. He’s lined up to face the Rangers on the road on Sunday.

Protecting a one-run lead, Jansen walked George Springer to start the ninth inning before striking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and getting Alejandro Kirk to hit into a game-ending double play. It was his 20th save of the season and 496th of his career. Jansen has a 3.43 ERA this year, though he’s blown six save opportunities.

Melton gave up five hits, walked four and struck out three. It was the shortest outing of his MLB career so far. Melton threw 76 pitches and was removed with the bases-loaded and two outs in the third inning. He has a 7.24 ERA in three starts in September after posting a 1.86 ERA in his first 16 starts this year. Melton is lined up to face the White Sox on the road this weekend.

Martínez was lifted for a defensive replacement in the eighth inning after striking out in the previous frame. It doesn’t appear to be a significant concern, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him get a couple days off out of an abundance of caution.

Vargas put the finishing touches on an unexpected six-run outburst by taking Cleveland reliever Daniel Espino deep in the sixth inning. It was his 31st round-tripper of the year. He also picked up his 19th stolen base of the year as Chicago extended their AL Central division lead to 1.5 games with the victory. The 26-year-old former top prospect has emerged as a certifiable fantasy force this season, hitting .249/.357/.475 with 98 runs scored, 31 homers, 81 RBI and 19 steals across 653 plate appearances.

Ramírez hasn’t delivered his usual first-round fantasy production this season, mostly due to the lingering impact of a mid-June hamate fracture. However, he’s still managed to reach the lofty 30-steal plateau for the third consecutive season.

Smith was universally regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, but he’s outperformed even the most lofty expectations, posting a microscopic 0.41 ERA and 32/10 K/BB ratio across 22 innings since being called up in mid-August. The 23-year-old southpaw continues to excel in relief and has looked like a true late-inning weapon for the upstart White Sox.

Burke delivered for Chicago in one of their most important games of the season, working into the late innings as a bulk reliever after Sean Newcomb worked a scoreless opening frame. He struck out four and only issued two walks. It was a much-needed bounce-back effort after getting tagged for seven runs over 1 1/3 innings by the Pirates his last time out. He’ll get the ball against the division-rival Tigers on Saturday.

Making his first start in eight days, Williams wriggled out of multiple jams, carrying an improbable shutout into the sixth inning before the White Sox finally broke through following his departure after a season-high 113 pitches. He finished with seven strikeouts, issued three walks and also hit a pair of batters. He’ll wrap up a two-start week with a favorable home outing against the Athletics on Sunday.