MLB Player News

The textbook example of emergency pitching depth, Lawrence oscillated between Seattle’s bullpen and Triple-A Tacoma numerous times this past season, pitching to a respectable 3.00 ERA while gobbling up 15 innings over five long relief appearances. He also made one relief appearance for the Blue Jays in late April before returning to the Mariners. The 38-year-old journeyman is back as Seattle’s ultimate contingency plan — the arm you don’t expect to need, but are grateful to have when things go completely sideways.

The homer, which unfortunately followed a caught stealing from Josh Naylor, was far from a bomb, but it made it into the Crawford Boxes at Daikin Park. Statcast had it at .327 feet and said it would have been a homer in one ballpark. Maybe it’ll give Raleigh some momentum anyway. It was his second hit in seven games and his 13th homer of the year. He still hasn’t had two hits in a game since July 7.

The runs came on solo homers from Jeremy Peña and Nick Allen. With Seattle’s pen holding on to a one-run lead, Woo earned his ninth win, though just his second on the road. He had been 1-8 with a 6.22 ERA in 13 starts outside of Seattle. Woo will get a home start next time out against the Cubs.

Seemingly highly motivated, Muñoz recovered nicely from one of the worst outings of his career in a blown save and loss Friday. He averaged 101.1 mph with his 11 heaters tonight, topping his season average by 1.5 mph.

Brown gave up a homer in the first and two walks and a single in the third. He actually walked three batters in a row with two outs in the fourth, but the Mariners couldn’t capitalize then after Brendan Donovan declined to challenge a 3-2 strike with the bases loaded; the pitch was very close to the top of the zone, and it’s unclear if it would have been overturned. Brown is up to 40 walks in 68 2/3 innings this season. Last year, he walked 57 in 185 1/3 innings. In spite of his issues, he still seems like a fine play in a home start against the A’s next weekend.

No word on the countermove. The Mets could just drop Cristian Pache, but that wouldn’t open up much time for Morel. This seems more like a move they’d make it Jorge Polanco was going to return to the IL. Morel, who will need to be added to the 40-man, was crushing it in Triple-A, going 14-for-43 with seven homers in 11 games this month.

Cubs fans would probably prefer he didn’t. Cabrera, who missed time back in May with a blister, is due to face the Mariners next weekend, but the team has flexibility after the off day Thursday.

Bello has been excelling out of the pen, so the Red Sox won’t mess with what’s working by having him start. Given that the bulk role makes him a better bet for a win, Bello is a streaming option tomorrow. Unfortunately, he probably won’t get a second bulk appearance, with the Red Sox having Thursday off, but maybe he’ll make another lengthy relief appearance next weekend if Patrick Sandoval is shaky again.

Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon and Yuki Matsui completed the three-hitter. Mize settled for three strikeouts today. Oddly enough, the 22 splitters he threw produced zero whiffs or called strikes. However, they did generate outs all six times they were put into play. Mize improved to 5-7 with a 3.18 ERA overall. He’ll take on another familiar foe when the Twins travel to San Diego next weekend. Both his four wins and his five losses versus the Twins are the most he has against any team.

Cleveland was shutout in a Bibee start for the fourth time this year. Both he and Joey Cantillo have made 26 starts for the Guardians this season. Bibee has allowed 71 runs in 150 1/3 innings (4.25 RA/9). Cantillo has allowed 62 runs in 125 2/3 innings (4.44 RA/9). Bibee, though, is 4-13, whereas Cantillo has gone 9-7. Bibee will next face the Rockies in Coors, which might lead to some run support.

The Padres got four homers today from players who had combined for 22 previously this season (15 from Gavin Sheets, three from Rengifo and Jake Cronenworth and one from Jase Bowen). Rengifo is hitting .323/.411/.473 in 27 games for the Padres. All four of his homers have come with his new team; he went without one in 57 games with the Brewers.