MLB Player News

Bard pitched a scoreless ninth inning and didn't allow a baserunner to earn the save Friday against the Giants.

Bard has been pitching in high-leverage situations of late, as he's picked up two holds and now his first save of the season in his last five appearances. He's allowed two earned runs in that span, though he has only two strikeouts compared to three walks. However, Bard's usage Friday suggests he could continue to see save opportunities, as Justin Lawrence -- the presumptive closer -- pitched the eighth inning.

Walker will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Rockies at Oracle Park, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Between 32 outings in the majors and at Triple-A Sacramento this season, Walker hasn't covered more than three innings on any occasion, so the Giants will likely have him work a frame or two before turning the game over to the bullpen. Manager Gabe Kapler hasn't formally appointed a primary pitcher to work behind Walker, but Sean Manaea and Jakob Junis should both be capable of giving the Giants multiple innings, if needed.

Iglesias picked up the save in Friday's 2-1 win over the Rays, allowing one hit over a scoreless inning. He struck out one and didn't issue a walk.

Iglesias bounced back after suffering an extra-inning loss last time out and recorded his seventh straight save. Overall, the veteran right-hander is 16-for-18 in save chances this season and sports a solid 3.76 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Iglesias holds a 33:8 K:BB across 26.1 innings this season, good for an 11.3 K/9. The 33-year-old has never finished a season with a K/9 lower than 9.5.

Alzolay gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his sixth save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Yankees.

He needed 10 pitches (seven strikes) to complete the shutout after Jameson Taillon gave up only one hit over the first eight frames. Over his last 14 appearances, Alzolay has a 1.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 21:2 K:BB through 14.2 innings while converting five of six save chances, and the 28-year-old appears to have separated himself from the pack in the Chicago bullpen -- no other Cub has recorded a save in the last month.

Puk (4-3) blew the save and took the loss in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies, allowing three runs on three hits over one inning. He struck out three and didn't record a walk.

Puk entered with a 3-1 lead in the top of the ninth and allowed an RBI double to Alec Bohm and a go-ahead, two-run shot to Cristian Pache before ending the frame. The left-hander has blown back-to-back saves and is now 14-for-18 in save chances this season. He sports a less-than-ideal 4.18 ERA across 29 appearances but has an elite 35:4 K:BB over 28 innings. Despite his recent struggles, Puk still projects as Miami's top closing option.

Kimbrel picked up the save Friday against Miami, allowing one hit over a scoreless inning. He didn't record a walk or strikeout.

Philadelphia struck for three runs in the top of the ninth to take a 4-3 lead, so Kimbrel got the save opportunity in the bottom half of the inning. He allowed a leadoff single to Jean Segura, but that was quickly rectified with a double-play ball from Joey Wendle, and Yuli Gurriel popped out to end the game. Kimbrel has yet to blow a save this season (14-for-14) and has an elite 57:14 K:BB across 37 innings.

Martinez allowed two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out two over one inning in Friday's 7-3 win over Pittsburgh. He also hit a batter.

Martinez brought the heat as advertised, averaging 100.8 mph on his four-seamer with 14 of 29 pitches clocking in at over 100 mph. He also brought the control issues that have dogged him in the minors. The 21-year-old right-hander struck out 41 batters in 31 innings at Triple-A Reno this season but also walked 28.

Nelson will serve as the Diamondbacks' opener Saturday versus the Pirates, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

It'll be his first appearance in that role this year. Nelson has registered a strong 2.76 ERA with 42 strikeouts over 32.2 innings of relief this season with Arizona, but he'll probably only be asked to handle a frame or two Saturday against Pittsburgh and offers little fantasy appeal.

Williams issued one walk over 0.2 scoreless innings Friday, striking out two and earning a save against Cincinnati.

Williams entered the game with two runners on base but was able to work around trouble to finish the 7-3 win. He blew a save Wednesday against the Cubs after a nine-inning scoreless streak but was able to rebound in his first outing since the misstep. He brought his ERA back down to 1.95 with a 43:18 K:BB and 19 saves through 32.1 frames.

Pittsburgh recalled Bolton from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Bolton has surrendered 11 earned runs on 17 hits and 10 walks in just nine innings this season at the MLB level. The 26-year-old right-hander will operate in a low-leverage relief role.