MLB Player News

Varland picked up the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over Seattle, striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Blue Jays rallied from a 3-0 deficit to score four runs across the fifth and sixth innings, prompting the call for Varland to close things out in the ninth. The right-hander needed 12 pitches (eight strikes) to secure the save, striking out Taylor Ward in the process. Varland has logged a save in seven of his last eight outings and is up to 31 saves on the year, which is tied with David Bednar for fifth-most in the majors. Varland sports a 1.18 ERA, 0.98 wHIP and 84:18 K:BB over 68.2 innings this season.

Whitlock struck out one over a scoreless inning and picked up a hold in Saturday's 6-0 win over the Yankees in the first game of a doubleheader.

Whitlock was reinstated from the injured list Saturday and put to work immediately in the eighth inning of a close game. The Red Sox led 2-0 at the time, which fits his role as a setup reliever for closer Aroldis Chapman, and picked up his 22nd hold. It turns out the closer wasn't need as Boston scored four times in the top of the ninth. Whitlock entered the game with a 1.21 ERA and 0.67 WHIP with a 32:1 K:BB over his previous 31 outings (29.2 innings).

The Yankees designated Topa for assignment Saturday.

Topa gave up one unearned run in two innings during his lone appearance with the Yankees, and he'll now cede his spot on the active roster to Max Fried (elbow), who returned from the injured list Saturday. Topa is likely to clear waivers after posting a 7.29 ERA and 1.95 WHIP in 21 major-league innings this season.

Gamboa will serve as the opening pitcher during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Gamboa has fired 7.2 shutout innings since returning to the majors Aug. 12, bringing his ERA down to just 1.31 through 20.2 MLB frames on the year. He'll now receive his second opening assignment of the season and could remain in the game for multiple innings before turning the game over to Boston's bullpen.

Brash (lat) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw another one in Boston early next week, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash threw 15-to-20 pitches in his latest mound session as he continues his recovery from a right lat strain. The hard-throwing setup man has missed extended time and there has been no indication that he has faced live hitters. With that, a return Tuesday when rosters expand seems unlikely.

The Red Sox added Burgos to the active roster as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Burgos will return to the big leagues to add depth to Boston's bullpen as it prepares to play two games against the Yankees. The 27-year-old southpaw has given up just three runs in 10 innings with the big club this year but will likely head back to Triple-A at the end of the day.

The Red Sox optioned Olds to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

Olds fired six shutout innings after being promoted from Triple-A on Aug. 17, but he'll end up as the roster casualty required to make room for Garrett Whitlock (elbow), who returned from the IL on Saturday. Olds owns a 5.33 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 50.2 innings at Worcester this season, but his strong first impression with the Red Sox could keep him in consideration for another promotion down the stretch if the big club's bullpen depth is tested again.

The Red Sox reinstated Whitlock (elbow) from the injured list Saturday.

Whitlock will return to Boston's bullpen after spending close to the minimum amount of time on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation. The 30-year-old reliever never made any rehab appearances in the minors but still figures to immediately slot back in as the Red Sox's top setup man for closer Aroldis Chapman. Wyatt Olds was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Hudson allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-4 win over Minnesota.

Hudson entered the ninth inning with a three-run lead, and while he gave up two hits to the first three batters he faced, he ultimately closed the door to earn his sixth save of the season. The southpaw has gone 3-for-4 in save chances while recording four holds with a 14:1 K:BB in 15 innings and 16 outings since the All-Star break. Grant Taylor earned the win Friday after pitching 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, setting up the save for Hudson. Taylor's usage shows that he will not be confined exclusively to the ninth inning, so there may be additional save opportunities for Hudson down the stretch.

Taylor (7-2) earned the win Friday against the Twins after pitching 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out three without a walk.

Taylor took over with two outs in the sixth inning and protected Chicago's 6-4 advantage through the end of the eighth, allowing just one baserunner during his 2.2 innings of work while tossing 20 of his 27 pitches for strikes. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 2.03 with this outing, and he extended an outstanding stretch that has seen him give up just one earned run across 22.2 innings, good for a pristine 0.40 ERA, in 16 outings since the All-Star break. He's also gone 4-for-7 in save opportunities in that span, but his usage earlier in the game afforded Bryan Hudson the save chance Friday.