MLB Player News

Smith earned a save against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing one hit and and no walks while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Smith was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning. He made things interesting, yielding a one-out single and then hitting a batter with two outs, but he was able to escape with the save by getting Josh Naylor on a game-ending groundout. Though the outing wasn't smooth, it was a needed rebound for Smith after he took a blown save and a loss while surrendering four runs across 2.1 frames over his previous two appearances. Even with those hiccups, Smith's season ERA is still fine at 3.13, and he leads the majors with 25 saves in 28 chances.

Teng was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Teng made the start Saturday against Detroit and gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. That continued a rough June for the right-hander, who has given up at least four earned runs in four of his five starts this month. Teng's demotion to the minors makes room on the 26-man roster for reliever Miguel Ullola, who was recalled from Sugar Land on Saturday. However, Teng's spot in the rotation could soon be taken by Cristian Javier (shoulder), who tossed 75 pitches in his most recent rehab start Sunday and appears to be closing in on returning from the IL.

Baker threw a clean ninth inning for the save Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Baker has now successfully converted 10 saves in a row. With 21 for the year, the right-hander trails only Cade Smith for the major-league lead in saves. Baker has been close to a lights-out closer since seizing Tampa Bay's ninth-inning gig, posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 32.1 innings with only three blown saves.

Alexander worked a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Blue Jays. He didn't strike out a batter.

The 31-year-old southpaw hadn't picked up a save since March 30, but with Jacob Latz and Jakob Junis each having worked the prior two days, Alexander found himself handling closing duties again and got the job done. He's been scored upon in just one of eight appearances in June, posting a 1.08 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings this month. However, Alexander's high-leverage work has been limited, and he has no wins and only one hold during that time, in addition to Saturday's save.

Quantrill didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Blue Jays, scattering two hits and a walk over four scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Making just his second career start in Toronto, the Canadian right-hander blanked the Jays over 55 pitches (36 strikes) but wasn't stretched out enough to qualify for the win and take advantage of a five-run fifth inning by the Rangers. Quantrill is making a case to remain in the rotation while Jack Leiter (ankle) is on the shelf, and he'll take a 3.31 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 35.1 innings and 17 appearances (two starts) into his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Tigers.

Hader struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his seventh save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Tigers.

The veteran closer continues to shine since making a belated season debut in early June after recovering from biceps tendinitis. Hader has been scored upon in only one of 11 appearances since coming off the IL, producing a 0.82 ERA, 0.36 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 11 innings, and he has yet to blow a save chance.

Teng didn't factor into the decision Saturday in an 8-6 win over the Tigers, coughing up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. He struck out one.

A grand slam by Kerry Carpenter in the third inning accounted for most of the damage off Teng, but a late rally by Houston took the right-hander off the hook for his seventh loss of 2026. Teng has given up at least five runs in four of five June starts, and while some unearned runs have softened the blow to his ratios, he still carries a 7.77 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB through 22 innings on the month. He's currently scheduled to make his next start at home next week against the Twins, but with Cristian Javier (shoulder) having built up to 75 pitches in his most recent rehab outing, Teng's time in the rotation may be about to end.

Chapman walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 16th save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Yankees.

The veteran closer picked up his second save of the series against the club with whom he racked up 153 between 2016 and 2022, the most of any of the seven teams Chapman has suited up for in his big-league career. The left-hander's only blown save of the season came at Coors Field last week, and over 23.2 innings so far this year he's produced a 1.90 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB.

Taylor (3-1) earned the win against the Royals on Saturday, striking out four over two perfect innings.

Taylor entered a tie game in the eighth inning and needed just 19 pitches to log two perfect frames. It snapped a streak of five straight outings in which the 24-year-old allowed at least one run, and he's now worked multiple frames in five of his past nine appearances. For the year, he's notched two saves and five holds to go along with a 2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 60:12 K:BB across 41.1 innings.

The Blue Jays traded Juenger to the Athletics on Saturday in exchange for minor-league catcher Owen Carapellotti.

After being designated for assignment Tuesday by Toronto, Juenger finds a new home with the Athletics. The 25-year-old appeared in just two games for the Blue Jays, allowing three earned runs on two hits and two walks in two innings. The A's DFA'd Brett Harris to make room on the roster for Juenger.