MLB Player News

Diaz picked up his 13th save of the season Tuesday, giving up a hit and striking out one while recording the final two outs in a 9-8 win over the Red Sox.

The Reds led 8-0 in the top of the seventh inning, but the team's bullpen made a mess of things and forced Diaz to come in and put out the fire in the ninth. The 26-year-old younger brother of Edwin Diaz (knee) has struck out at least one batter in 17 of his last 19 appearances while being scored upon only once as he established himself as an elite closing option in his own right. On the season, Alexis sports a 1.69 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB through 21.1 innings and has yet to blow a save chance.

Mantiply (hamstring) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Tuesday.

Mantiply was expected to throw a second session this week, but manager Torey Lovullo left open the option of the left-hander beginning a rehab assignment as the next step.

Bednar struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Bednar's last save came April 29, as the Pirates' early success has largely dwindled throughout May. He's pitched eight times this month, allowing two runs on six hits with 11 strikeouts and no walks over eight innings, so he's at least provided solid work despite the lack of saves. For the season, the Pittsburgh closer has converted 10 of 11 save chances with a 1.29 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 28:1 K:BB through 21 innings.

Manaea (2-3) allowed an unearned run on four hits and struck out three over four innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Pirates.

Manaea uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Rodolfo Castro to score the go-ahead run in the fifth inning, and the Giants couldn't pull even again. Over his last four outings, all in relief, Manaea has been solid, allowing two runs (one earned) over 10.2 innings with a 16:3 K:BB. It looks like the Giants are content with the southpaw working behind a bulk reliever for the foreseeable future. He's now at a 5.89 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB through 36.2 innings over 12 outings (six starts) this season. The Giants can get by with four starters for a while with off days Thursday and Monday, so Manaea should be available to mop up innings versus Baltimore this weekend or in Colorado next week.

Robertson gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Phillies.

The veteran reliever bounced back after allowing runs in each of his last two appearances, blowing his first save chance of the year in one of them. Robertson remains the top option in the Mets bullpen, racking up nine saves to Adam Ottavino's five, and he's collected a win, save or hold in nine of his 10 outings in May.

Iglesias (1-2) took the loss Tuesday versus Oakland, allowing an unearned run on three walks with one strikeout in one-third of an inning.

Iglesias' control abandoned him as he tried to keep the game tied at 1-1 -- he threw just seven of 21 pitches for strikes. He walked three of the first four batters he faced before a fielder's choice knocked in the decisive run. After a couple of stumbles in mid-May, Iglesias had posted five straight scoreless innings before Tuesday. The closer has a 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 11:5 K:BB and four saves in five opportunities through 8.2 innings this season.

Gallegos picked up the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Kansas City. He allowed one run on two hits and zero walks while striking out one over one inning.

Though Gallegos had some trouble in the ninth, allowing a leadoff double to Vinnie Pasquantino and then giving up a single to Salvador Perez, he managed to pick up his third save in the last five days to improve his season mark to seven. After the Cardinals' slow start to the season, Gallegos has had ample closing work over the last three weeks, picking up six of his seven saves in that span. Through 22.2 innings, Gallegos owns a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 5.2 K/BB.

Alzolay pitched two perfect innings to record the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Rays. He struck out four.

The Cubs' bullpen was rested after Marcus Stroman went all nine innings Monday, but the team still elected to close things out with Alzolay instead of Mark Leiter, who worked the seventh inning. With Brad Boxberger (forearm) on the injured list, Leiter has seemingly been the favorite for saves, though Alzolay remains in the mix and now has two saves this year. His strong performance Tuesday could help him see more opportunities moving forward.

San Francisco activated Jackson (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jackson is nearly 14 months removed from Tommy John surgery and will join the Giants' bullpen for Tuesday night's game against the visiting Pirates. He allowed four earned runs over 5.1 innings on a six-appearance minor-league rehab assignment and figures to be eased in as a lower-leverage option initially.

Luetge was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Tuesday.

This move clears out space on both the 26-man and 40-man rosters for young right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who is joining Atlanta's bullpen ahead of Tuesday night's game against the Athletics. Luetge had yielded 11 earned runs through 9.2 innings this season with the NL East leaders.