MLB Player News

Wells registered a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his sixth save of the season in a 7-6 win over Texas.

Wells recorded his sixth straight appearance without an earned run allowed, and his 15th in his last 16 outings. The right-hander was called on with no outs and two runners on in the ninth after Bryan Baker (illness) failed to record an out. In 11 games with Tampa Bay, Wells owns a 1.93 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 13:4 K:BB and two saves over 14 innings.

Martinez (14-4) earned the win Friday over Texas, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out four.

Martinez made his 27th start Friday, the most he has ever registered in a single season. The 36-year-old recorded his third straight quality start in a win over the Rangers, continuing a career year. The right-hander now owns a 3.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 95:24 K:BB in 160 innings this season. Martinez is lined up to make his next start Thursday against Atlanta.

Houck (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Houck has been throwing at the Red Sox's training facility in Florida, and after throwing a two-inning simulated game Friday without issue, he looks ready to move on to the next step in his long recovery from the hybrid UCL reconstruction procedure he underwent last August. The Red Sox plans to use the right-hander in a relief role once he makes it back from the 60-day injured list.

Crochet (shoulder) threw a 16-pitch bullpen session Friday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Crochet threw exclusively fastballs in what marked his first time pitching off a mound in over three months. He's scheduled for anther bullpen session Tuesday before potentially facing hitters soon thereafter. The Red Sox still envision Crochet serving as a starter in the long run, but he'll be used as a reliever if he makes it back from the 60-day injured list later this season.

Scarborough recently suffered a right elbow strain and will be shut down for the next 4-to-6 weeks, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Scarborough was in the team's pitching lab to work on mechanical tweaks but did not respond well. A scan revealed the elbow strain, and the team decided to shut down the right-hander. "We don't think that it's a major issue at this point," Texas general manager Ross Fenstermaker said. "I think we caught it early, but it's something that we want to give him the proper amount of rest and give him an opportunity to recover." Plans for autumn baseball have been put on hold for now.

Higashioka (forearm) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-5 for Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Higashioka began a rehab assignment with the Express, and per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, the Rangers plan to have him hit only for the time being. When/if he returns to the team, Higashioka will serve as a bench bat.

Cecconi allowed one run on three hits while striking out two over 2.2 innings of relief in a 7-6 win over the Tigers in the first game of Friday's doubleheader.

Cecconi was activated off the injured list earlier in the day, and his length was needed immediately after starter Logan Allen was chased in the third inning. Cecconi, who opened the season as a member of the Guardians' rotation, was bumped to the bullpen in early August prior to experiencing arm fatigue. He should be used in a long-relief role over the final month of the season.

Bazzana went 4-for-6 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and four RBI across both games of Friday's doubleheader sweep of the Tigers.

The rookie second baseman went 2-for-3 in both games despite beginning the nightcap on the bench, as he took over at DH in the sixth inning after Chase DeLauter was forced to exit due to a wrist sprain. That set Bazzana up to play hero, as his two-run homer in the eighth tied the game at 3-3, while his walk-off single in the 10th against Detroit closer Kenley Jansen completed the sweep. Bazzana's long ball was his first since July 20, snapping a 36-game drought, and since the All-Star break he's produced a .248/.337/.355 slash line in 163 plate appearances with three homers, five steals, 14 runs and 18 RBI.

Sommers (1-4) allowed a walk-off home run to take the loss in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Sommers breezed through the eighth inning, sitting Cleveland down in order with a strikeout mixed in. However, the lefty didn't have the same luck when he came back out for the ninth, as Brayan Rocchio took a first-pitch fastball deep to give the Guardians a 7-6 victory. Sommers had been on scintillating stretch from mid-July through late-August, allowing just one earned run and striking out 24 batters across 14 innings in 11 appearances out of Detroit's bullpen, but it's been a different story lately. He's now allowed five earned runs over his last three appearances, and his season ERA has climbed from 2.93 to 4.01 in the process.

Smith (4-1) collected the win in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Tigers, allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Cleveland closer kept the score tied at 6-6 in the top of the final frame, and Smith got rewarded when Brayan Rocchio launched a walk-off solo shot in the bottom half of the inning. Smith hasn't been needed much lately, making only two appearances since Aug. 25, and that rest could pay off down the stretch as the Guardians try to catch the White Sox for the AL Central crown. Since the beginning of August, Smith has delivered a 1.50 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB over 12 innings while converting five of six save chances.