MLB Player News

Fairbanks gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Nationals.

After blowing his fifth save of the season Wednesday, Fairbanks shook it off and fired 15 of 22 pitches for strikes in Friday's successful conversion. The right-hander has a 2.70 ERA in 10 August innings thanks to three home runs allowed, but he's otherwise been dominant with a 0.80 WHIP and 17:0 K:BB.

Slaten allowed two hits and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless inning in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

This was Slaten's first appearance since he was activated off the injured list Thursday, and understandably, it was shaky. He allowed a leadoff single to Oneil Cruz, who was then erased on a double play, but Slaten then issued a two-out walk and allowed a single before wriggling out of the threat. Slaten's previous appearance in the majors was May 28.

Hendriks (hip) has progressed out to 105 feet in his throwing program and expects to increase his distance to 120 feet Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Hendriks is hoping to throw off a mound next week and is aiming to return before the end of the regular season or for the postseason.

Finnegan (4-4) tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win Friday against the Royals. He walked one and struck out three.

Detroit starter Chris Paddack only lasted 3.2 innings, which led the Tigers to use four relievers. Finnegan was the second-to-last one used, picking up his fourth win of the season when Will Vest closed things out behind him in a 5-3 victory. Finnegan has been a strong addition to Detroit's bullpen, as he's yet to be scored on in 13.1 innings since joining the team at the trade deadline. He and Vest should continue to see save opportunities, giving both pitchers fantasy value moving forward.

Armstrong walked one over 1.2 scoreless and hitless innings to earn the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Athletics.

Armstrong's steady pitching in August looks to have vaulted him to the top of the Rangers' closing hierarchy. He's earned the team's last two saves, though chances haven't been plentiful in recent weeks. Phil Maton has blown three saves in his last five appearances, which has opened the door for Armstrong to get more closing opportunities. After Friday's outing, Armstrong is on an 11.2-inning scoreless streak with a 13:3 K:BB in that span. He's at a 2.43 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 61:18 K:BB through 59.1 innings this season while adding five saves, 10 holds and three blown saves.

Ort earned the save against the Angels on Friday, striking out two and retiring all four batters he faced.

With Bryan Abreu unavailable after pitching on back-to-back days, Ort was called in with the bases loaded in the eighth and escaped the jam before tossing a perfect ninth. It was just the second save of the 33-year-old's career, and he now owns a 4.36 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 46:25 K:BB across 43.1 innings this season.

Funderburk notched the save in a 7-4 win over the Padres on Friday, allowing no hits and two walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

It was the first save of the season for Funderburk, whose usage was certainly interesting Friday. Justin Topa appeared to be first in line for save opportunities from the Minnesota bullpen, but he worked the seventh inning against San Diego. It's likely too early to gauge if Funderburk has definitively made his way into the closer picture -- the southpaw owns a dicey 4.40 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB for the year -- but he hasn't yielded an earned run over his last 11.2 innings.

Vest notched the save Friday against the Royals, allowing one hit and no walks with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Tigers continue to deploy a committee approach at closer, with Vest working the ninth inning and Kyle Finnegan handling the eighth frame Friday. Although his usage could be frustrating at times, Vest remains worth holding onto for rosters in need of saves in the vast majority of fantasy leagues. The right-hander has a 2.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB while converting 20 of his 26 save chances over 58.2 innings.

Munoz (3-2) blew the save and took the loss against the Guardians on Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits in one-third of an inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

Munoz was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the ninth inning and gave up a run on back-to-back hits before surrendering a walk-off sacrifice fly to Steven Kwan. It marked Munoz's first blown save in 11 chances since the All-Star break, though he's now allowed at least one run in four of his last five outings. Despite the rough stretch, the 26-year-old still carries a 1.72 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 66:24 K:BB with 31 saves across 52.1 innings.

Weissert (6-5) blew the save and took the loss against the Pirates on Friday after allowing one run on two hits while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning.

Weissert was brought in for the sixth inning with two runners on base, tasked with protecting the Red Sox's two-run lead and to put southpaw Payton Tolle in line for his first major-league win. Weissert wasn't able to get the job done, yielding two doubles in a row that brought three runs home to put him in line for the loss. With Friday's performance, the 30-year-old right-hander has a 3.48 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 10.1 innings in August.