MLB Player News

Murphy is expected to be deployed as a bulk reliever behind opener Brennan Bernardino in Sunday's game against the Mets at Fenway Park, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Heading into the weekend, Nick Pivetta looked like the top candidate to work in bulk relief Sunday after he struck out 13 over six innings out of the bullpen Monday against Oakland. However, after Pivetta tossed a 15-pitch scoreless inning in Saturday's win, he still projects to be available Sunday but probably won't be asked to cover more than inning or two. With that in mind, Murphy -- who last pitched Tuesday and covered 4.2 scoreless frames -- profiles as the Boston pitcher likely to work the longest behind Bernardino, who isn't expected to work more than once through the order, if that. Murphy could thus make for an under-the-radar streaming option in deep leagues for fantasy managers hoping to scoop up a cheap win.

Pivetta struck out a batter over a perfect seventh inning Saturday in the Red Sox's 8-6 win over the Mets.

After striking out 13 over six innings out of the bullpen Monday against the Athletics, Pivetta had been expected to serve as a bulk reliever in Sunday's series finale with the Mets. Instead, the Red Sox opted to work Pivetta back into the mix a day early, with the right-hander tossing 15 pitches en route to retiring the side. According to Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican, Pivetta is still expected to be available out of the bullpen Sunday, though Chris Murphy profiles as the most likely option to serve as a bulk reliever behind opener Brennan Bernardino.

Bernardino will serve as the Red Sox's opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Mets at Fenway Park, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bernardino will get his fourth turn as an opener after thriving in that capacity on the previous three occasions. Over those three "starts," Bernardino has covered 5.1 innings while striking out seven and allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk. He'll likely work one or two innings Sunday before giving way to the bullpen, with Chris Murphy representing the most likely option to serve as a bulk reliever.

Topa gave up a run on three hits while striking out one in the ninth inning of Saturday's 9-8 win over the Blue Jays, recording his second save of the season.

Paul Sewald had pitched Thursday and Friday, while Andres Munoz and Matt Brash had both worked earlier in Saturday's contest, leaving Topa to get a rare save chance. The right-hander got the job done, although he got tagged for his first earned run in nearly a month while doing so. Topa has been a solid addition to the Seattle bullpen this season, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB through 38 innings while collecting 14 holds and a win in 42 appearances in addition to his two saves.

Clase earned a saved over the Phillies on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

In a game that featured very little offense, Clase was tasked with ensuring that a 1-0 lead held up for Cleveland in the ninth frame. The talented closer was up to the challenge, needing just seven pitches (six strikes) to retire the side in order. Clase went through a rocky stretch in late June and early July, but he's bounced back with five consecutive scoreless outings during which he's notched three saves and given up just one hit while posting a 5:1 K:BB over five innings.

May walked two and struck out two in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Astros.

May put two on with one out, but he was able to escape trouble with a flyout and a strikeout. This was his third consecutive scoreless outing, his most in a row since May 27-June 9, when he had six such efforts. The 33-year-old is up to nine saves with a 4.73 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 23:23 K:BB through 26.2 innings.

Perez (3-1) struck out the only batter he faced to earn the win in Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Rays.

Perez got the last out of the eighth inning after newcomer Shintaro Fujinami allowed the tying run to score. The Orioles then retook the lead in the ninth inning, and Felix Bautista slammed the door to get Perez the win in his third appearance since returning from forearm soreness. Perez has allowed multiple runs in five of his last 14 outings, but he's kept runs off the board in the other nine appearances in that span. Overall, he's at a 4.68 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 26:19 K:BB with eight holds through 32.2 innings. The southpaw remains part of the Orioles' high-leverage mix, but Yennier Cano sees most of the setup work and Danny Coulombe is likely considered the top southpaw in this bullpen.

Hernandez (0-6) allowed a run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to take the loss Saturday versus the Yankees.

Hernandez has allowed two runs over 9.1 innings in July, but both instances led to him taking losses. His mistake Saturday resulted in a solo home run by DJ LeMahieu in the seventh inning. Hernandez has a solid 3.86 ERA for the season, but his 1.02 WHIP and 57:13 K:BB through 49 innings suggests he's gotten a little unlucky. He's added seven holds and two blown saves while often seeing high-leverage spots.

Duran allowed two hits and struck out three in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the White Sox.

Duran has given up 11 hits over 8.1 innings in July, but this was his fourth consecutive scoreless outing. He's also converted six of seven save chances this month. The closer has maintained a 2.06 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 52:15 K:BB with 17 saves in 20 tries over 39.1 innings this season. He's given up five runs (four earned) in July, accounting for nearly half of his total runs allowed for the year.

Detroit optioned White to Triple-A Toledo after Saturday's loss to the Padres, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

White allowed one earned run on one hit and two walks over 1.2 innings of relief as the Tigers fell 14-3 to San Diego on Saturday at Comerica Park. He's registered a 4.95 ERA in 20 total innings this season at the big-league level. Alex Faedo will be called up in a corresponding roster move to start Sunday's series finale versus the Padres.