MLB Player News
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Alex Young RP | CIN
Reds' Alex Young: Rescues Reds
Young allowed one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn a hold in Friday's 6-5 win over the Dodgers.
Situations don't get much more high leverage than the seventh-inning spot in which manager David Bell called for the left-handed Young. The Dodgers had plated three runs, cutting Cincinnati's lead to 6-5, and the bases were loaded with lefty-hitting Max Muncy due up. Young induced a flyout, then got two more outs in the eighth before closer Alexis Diaz finished it off. The only lefty in the Reds' bullpen, Young has not allowed a run over his last 14 appearances and sports a 2.20 ERA for the season. The 29-year-old journeyman reliever has embraced a new changeup grip this season, per Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer, which helped make him a trusted bullpen arm. That's the pitch he throws most often at 37.5 percent, and opponents are batting just .159 against it.
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A.J. Puk RP | ARI
Marlins' A.J. Puk: Locks down 16th save
Puk picked up the save in Friday's 6-5 victory over the Tigers, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three over one inning. He didn't record a walk.
Puk allowed two hits and a run before ultimately earning his 16th save by striking out the side in the ninth. The left-hander had secured just one of his last four save chances and had given up nine runs over his last seven outings (6.1 innings), so while Friday's performance wasn't perfect, it was still a step in the right direction. Despite the bounce-back night, Puk is likely out of the closer role moving forward, as Miami made a splash ahead of the trade deadline by acquiring veteran closer David Robertson from the Mets.
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Craig Kimbrel RP | NYM
Phillies' Craig Kimbrel: Secures 17th save
Kimbrel picked up the save Friday against Pittsburgh, allowing one walk over a scoreless ninth inning. He didn't record a strikeout.
Kimbrel blew a save and suffered a loss this week, but he's bounced back with two straight scoreless outings. Thursday's performance wasn't perfect, as the right-hander walked just his second batter over his past six appearances, but Kimbrel still got the job done and is now 17-for-18 in save chances this season with a 3.27 ERA and 64:18 K:BB.
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Alexis Diaz RP | TEX
Reds' Alexis Diaz: Grabs four-out save
Diaz earned the save in Friday's 6-5 win over the Dodgers, pitching 1.1 innings without putting a runner on base. He did not strike out or walk a batter.
Diaz was on the mound when James Outman logged a stolen base with two outs in the eighth inning, but that was the only blemish in an otherwise clean performance. This was Diaz's ninth save in July and his 31st of the season. The right-hander continues to pitch well in the closer role, posting a 2.14 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 67:20 K:BB through 46.1 innings this season.
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Ryan Walker RP | SF
Giants' Ryan Walker: Opening again Saturday
Walker will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Red Sox, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
This will be Walker's second turn as an opener this week and seventh this season. He's pitched to an impressive 2.70 ERA so far this season, but Walker will likely go no more than three innings before turning things over to Anthony DeSclafani.
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Adbert Alzolay RP | NYM
Cubs' Adbert Alzolay: Earns four-out save
Alzolay allowed two hits over 1.1 scoreless innings Friday, striking out one and picking up a save against St. Louis.
Alzolay put two runners on base with no outs in the ninth inning but escaped with his 12th save of the year in a 3-2 victory. He's converted eight straight save opportunities since his last blown chance July 4. During that span, he's given up just two runs over 10 innings. Alzolay lowered his ERA to 2.33 and has a strong 52:7 K:BB through 46.1 frames.
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Tanner Scott RP | LAD
Marlins' Tanner Scott: Suffers mild calf strain
Scott left Friday's game against the Tigers with a mild right calf strain, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
The southpaw pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting charged with a run on two hits and a walk (JT Chargois allowed the inherited runner to score after Scott exited the game). Miami is downplaying the severity of the injury, but even a mild strain could threaten to push him to the injured list.
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Tejay Antone RP | CIN
Reds' Tejay Antone: Moving rehab to Triple-A
Antone (elbow) is expected to pitch for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.
After one more outing in the Arizona Complex League on Friday, Antone will move up the ladder as he continues to ramp up in preparation for a return to the Reds' bullpen. The right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors in nearly two years. He was showing real promise in relief prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2021, but given the setbacks and long layoff, he has to be considered a wild card to contribute to Cincinnati's playoff push.
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Drey Jameson RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Drey Jameson: Elects not to have surgery
Jameson (elbow) has elected not to undergo surgery on his UCL strain, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
It was reported earlier this month that Jameson was seeking a second opinion on his right elbow rather than resign himself to surgery. He apparently found a doctor who agreed that the rest-and-rehab route could prove beneficial. A procedure is often still necessary in these cases, but Jameson will try his best to stave one off.
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Reiver Sanmartin RP | SF
Reds' Reiver Sanmartin: Undergoes season-ending surgery
Sanmartin (elbow) underwent season-ending UCL surgery back on July 7, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
The initial hope was that Sanmartin would be able to return in 2023, but a more serious issue was discovered beyond the initial diagnosis of a stress reaction in his left elbow. It wasn't reported as Tommy John surgery specifically, but this will take Sanmartin out for the remainder of the season and could threaten his availability for spring training in 2024.