MLB Player News

Joyce threw a fastball at 104.5 mph against the Mariners on Friday, the fastest pitch in the majors this season, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.

Joyce's velocity is well-known -- he's averaging a league-high 101.7 mph on his fastball in 2024. The fireballing righty hit a new level Friday, however, blazing the 104.5 mph offering (which was fouled off) in the seventh inning. Joyce's big arm was offset by control issues during his initial cup of coffee in the majors last year, as he struck out 10 batters but also walked nine over 10 innings. He's shown substantial improvement this season, posting a 13:6 K:BB through 15.1 frames. Joyce has been even better over the past month, tossing 13.1 consecutive scoreless innings during which he's yielded just four hits while posting a 12:5 K:BB.

Kahnle recorded a hold against Baltimore on Friday, allowing one hit in one scoreless inning.

Kahnle entered in the seventh frame after Gerrit Cole allowed one run over six innings. Kahnle gave up a leadoff single but retired the next three batters to keep New York's 4-1 lead intact. The righty reliever has given up just one run over his past 14 appearances, recording a 15:5 K:BB across 11.1 innings during that span. He's been moving into higher-leverage spots of late with holds in his last two outings.

Hader struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 18th save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Rangers.

The veteran closer blew his first save chance of the year back on April 2, and he hasn't squandered one since. Hader has had trouble keeping the ball in the yard in 2024, serving up eight homers in 42 innings to fuel a 3.86 ERA, but he's otherwise been as dominant as ever, with his 40.4 percent strikeout rate being his highest mark since 2021.

Weaver picked up a hold with a perfect inning of work against the Orioles on Friday.

Weaver needed just six pitches to retire the side in the eighth. After spending the majority of his career as a starter, the veteran righty has thrived as a high-leverage reliever for New York this season. Weaver leads the Yankees with 13 holds while recording a 2.52 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 57:13 K:BB over 35 appearances covering 53.2 innings.

Staumont allowed two runs on two hits and a walk with a strikeout over one inning Friday against the Giants, ending a 19.2-inning scoreless streak to begin the season.

Staumont has had an impressive comeback after having thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last July. He's had increased velocity as the season has progressed, reaching a high of 101.1 mph with his fastball July 7. However, he's been a bit lucky with a .185 BABIP and just a 20.5 percent strikeout rate. He may find a tougher road in the second half of the season, but he's been a steady middle relief option.

Holmes earned the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Orioles, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

After striking out Jordan Westburg to open the ninth, Holmes would then hit Heston Kjerstad in the helmet with one out, causing the benches to clear. However, Holmes would settle back in and record the final two outs, preserving the 4-1 victory to earn his 21st save. The 31-year-old closer has delivered back-to-back scoreless outings after surrendering eight earned runs in his previous 6.2 innings. He lowered his ERA to 2.82 on the year with a 1.23 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB across 38.1 innings.

Foley (2-3) blew a save and took the loss against the Dodgers on Friday, allowing one run on two hits with no walks and no strikeouts over 0.2 innings.

Foley was called upon for a possible multi-inning save with a 3-2 lead in the eighth but was instead charged with a blown save and the loss while recording just two outs. The closer has been shaky in July despite securing two saves, yielding four earned runs in 2.1 innings with just one strikeout. On the year, he is 15-for-18 in save chances with a 3.62 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB over 32.1 innings.

Adam earned a save against the Guardians on Friday, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning.

With Rays closer Pete Fairbanks having thrown 28 pitches Thursday, Adam was summoned to protect a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning. He struck out the side on 14 pitches and earned his fourth save of the year to along with 17 holds. On the season, the righty owns a 1.71 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 42:14 K:BB over 42 innings.

The Mariners optioned Bazardo to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Since joining the big-league bullpen June 11, Bazardo has posted a 7.20 ERA and 1.10 WHIP alongside a 15:4 K:BB over 10 innings. He'll now be sent back to the minors in order to make room for Bryan Woo (hamstring), who was reinstated from the IL in a corresponding move.

Mata (shoulder) is scheduled to throw 2-3 innings for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. A decision on his activation will occur afterward.

Mata was pulled off his rehab assignment in late May for roughly three weeks, but he's appeared in six minor-league games since without any setbacks. Sunday's appearance could be Mata's final one, in which case the 25-year-old would join the Red Sox roster after the All-Star break.