MLB Player News

Lawrence allowed two walks across 1.2 scoreless innings Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Lawrence entered the game in the seventh inning with runners on second and third and one out. He got out of that jam with a pair of groundouts and also pitched a fairly uneventful eighth inning. Lawrence appeared to be the team's primary closer after Pierce Johnson lost his grip on the role, though he's entered the last four games in high-leverage spots -- rather than traditional save situations -- and has also worked multiple innings on two occasions. That usage suggests manager Bud Black won't reserve Lawrence for the closer role, though he could still pick up occasional saves.

Williams (3-1) blew the save and took the loss Tuesday as the Brewers fell 7-5 to the Twins, failing to record an out and coughing up four runs on three hits and a walk.

Two of the hits off Williams left the yard, including Carlos Correa's first career walk-off homer in the regular season. It's the first blown save of the year in 11 opportunities for the closer, who hadn't given up a run in his prior 10 appearances and saw his ERA jump more than one and a half runs as a result of this performance. Despite this stumble, Williams still sports a 2.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB through 21.2 innings.

Bard (3-0) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one in the ninth inning to earn the win Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Bard entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at 4-4, and he had little trouble putting Boston's lineup away in order. The Rockies' closer situation remains murky, as Justin Lawrence entered the game in the eighth frame while Pierce Johnson ultimately picked up an extra-inning save. Manager Bud Black suggested that Johnson -- the team's primary closer this season -- would lose save opportunities moving forward, though it's been difficult to decipher the team's usage of its alternative options. Bard appears to have entered the mix for closer duties, but he has a concerning 18:19 K:BB and 1.45 WHIP despite maintaining a 0.87 ERA across 20.2 innings this season.

Johnson struck out one while recording the final two outs of the 10th inning Tuesday to pick up his 12th save of the season in a 7-6 win over the Red Sox.

The right-hander was removed from the closer role last week after posting a brutal 18.00 ERA over six appearances in late May and early June, but with Jake Bird, Justin Lawrence and even Daniel Bard all having gotten the call in the first nine innings Tuesday, Johnson was the last man standing in the bullpen in the 10th and got the job done. None of the Rockies' other options for saves have been pitching particularly well lately -- Bird has a 7.20 ERA over his last eight appearances, while Lawrence has a 5.59 mark during his last eight -- so if Johnson can string together a few more effective performances, he could reclaim the job.

Hader allowed a hit and struck out three in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Guardians.

Hader hasn't let his blown save May 31 versus the Marlins turn into a slump -- he's pitched four scoreless innings and earned three saves in June. The closer is now at a 1.37 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB while converting 16 of 19 saves this season through 26.1 innings. Hader has struck out multiple batters in four of his last seven appearances.

Diaz threw a perfect inning to secure the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win against the Royals.

Diaz has been absolutely dominant of late, allowing just one run and one hit over his last six appearances. The young flamethrower has an absurd 49 strikeouts over 27.1 innings and hasn't given up multiple runs in an outing since April 8. Diaz is now second in the National League in saves and has firmly entrenched himself as one of the elite closers in all of baseball.

Smith was ejected from Tuesday's game against the Yankees due to a substance that was discovered on his hand, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Smith was ejected before throwing a pitch in the contest after coming in to pitch the seventh inning. John Curtiss has replaced Smith on the mound. Assuming he doesn't win an appeal, the right-hander will be suspended for 10 games as a result of the ejection.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Tuesday that Miller (personal) is expected back from bereavement leave before Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Miller has been away from the team since Saturday while dealing with more important matters. The right-hander will be a mid-to-late inning option for the Dodgers upon his return.

Brazoban was optioned Tuesday to Triple-A Jacksonville, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Archie Bradley will join the Marlins' bullpen in a corresponding move. Brazoban threw 32 pitches over two innings of relief in Monday's series opener at Seattle and wasn't going to be available for a bit. He holds a 4.01 ERA in 28 appearances this year with Miami.

The Phillies recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Ortiz holds a 5.40 ERA in Triple-A this season, but that mark improves to 2.70 in the majors. He'll rejoin the Phillies' bullpen and likely work in middle relief while Yunior Marte heads to Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.