MLB Player News

Diaz earned a save against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out two batters over one inning.

Diaz came on in the ninth inning with Cincinnati holding a three-run lead. He struck out Jesse Winker and Christian Yelich before giving up a single to William Contreras, but that hit proved harmless when Diaz got Willy Adames to ground out to end the game. Surprisingly, the talented closer had gone eight straight outings without picking up multiple strikeouts before Sunday, but he had still gotten the job done with five saves in six chances along with a 2.25 ERA during that span. Diaz has blown only one save opportunity all season and is tied for the MLB lead with 26 saves overall.

Hader allowed a hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Mets.

Hader extended his scoreless streak to 11 innings, and he's picked up eight saves over 12 appearances in that span. This was the first time he's avoided walking a batter since June 18. The closer is 21-for-24 in save chances with a 1.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB through 33.1 innings this season.

Puk picked up the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Phillies. He allowed one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

After recording back-to-back blown saves, Puk finally managed to put together a scoreless frame Saturday to secure his 15th save. Prior to the pair of missed opportunities, Puk had rattled off four straight scoreless appearances and had given up just one hit over that stretch. Through 29 innings this, Puk owns a 4.03 ERA and 36:4 K:BB with four blown saves in 19 chances.

Minter exited his appearance Saturday against the Rays due to left pectoral tightness, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Minter was lifted after facing one batter in the eighth inning. He and the team have both suggested that the injury isn't serious and that he exited out of precaution. Even so, he may be unavailable for Sunday's contest, which would give him six days to heal across the All-Star break.

Minter exited Saturday's game against the Rays with an apparent injury, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Minter was called upon to work the eighth inning while protecting a four-run lead. He retired the first batter he faced but was forced from the game immediately after. The nature of the issue is currently unclear.

The Dodgers have until Monday to either activate Nelson (elbow) or designate him for assignment, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Nelson began a minor-league rehab assignment June 10, and he's thrown in 10 games thus far, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 12:5 K:BB over 9.2 innings. The veteran hurler hasn't pitched in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of 2021, though he did see some action in exhibition play during spring training this year. While Nelson has fared reasonably well during his current rehab stint, he has yet to pitch in back-to-back games or throw over one inning in any outing, which could be a barrier to him returning to the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts hinted as such Thursday, saying of Nelson, "There's the health component, that's one part of it. But also on rehab, getting the stuff where it needs to be, to be major-league-ready and serviceable. We haven't gotten quite there yet." Roberts added, "I really don't know what's going to happen on Day 31."

Hicks gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his seventh save of the season in a 3-0 win over the White Sox.

The right-hander continues to thrive since his move back into the closer role. Over his last nine appearances, Hicks has converted seven of eight save chances while posting a 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings. Ryan Helsley (forearm) appears to be on track to return to the St. Louis bullpen before the end of July, but if Hicks keeps performing at this level, he could well retain at least a share of the team's ninth-inning duties -- although he could also find himself traded to a contender by then, before he reaches free agency next offseason.

Graterol earned a hold against the Angels on Friday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.

Early in the week, Graterol was nursing an arm issue that kept him out a few days and reportedly resulted in the Dodgers considering placing him on the injured list. However, the righty reliever returned to action with a hold in a scoreless frame Thursday and did the same Friday, so it's now clear that the injury was minor. Graterol has been a key part of Los Angeles' bullpen this year, notching 10 holds and four saves while compiling a 1.85 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB over 39.0 innings.

Cousins (shoulder) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Cousins landed on the injured list in early June with right shoulder inflammation and is now entering the final stages of his rehab process. He was optioned to Triple-A Nashville before his trip to the IL caused the option to be rescinded, so it's likely Cousins is sent back to Nashville once he's activated from the injured list. The 28-year-old righty holds a 4.82 ERA and 2.14 WHIP through 9.1 frames with Milwaukee this season.

The Diamondbacks transferred Jameson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Jameson landed on the injured list Friday with right elbow inflammation, and his move to the 60-day IL ensures he'll be sidelined through early September. Tyler Gilbert was selected from Triple-A Reno to fill Jameson's spot on the 40-man roster.