MLB Player News

Bednar allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three across 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save Saturday against the Phillies.

Bednar entered the game in the eighth inning with runners on first and second, but he struck out the final two batters of the inning to work out of the jam. He allowed two baserunners in the final frame but managed to induce a game-ending double play. Bednar has now allowed multiple baserunners in each of his last three outings, though he's still allowed only one earned run across 10.1 innings in July while maintaining a 15:8 K:BB.

Atlanta optioned Hearn to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Hearn was moved off the 26-man active roster to clear room for right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who was called up from Gwinnett ahead of his spot start Sunday versus the Brewers. After being acquired from Texas on Monday, Hearn made his Atlanta debut out of the bullpen in Saturday's win over the Brewers and was lit up for four earned runs on two hits and two walks while recording just one out.

Ginkel (4-0) struck out three over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win over Seattle on Saturday.

Ginkel entered a tie game to begin the eighth inning and struck out the side before the Diamondbacks took the lead in the bottom of the frame. It looked like he'd finish the game, but manager Torey Lovullo pulled Ginkel after he quickly retired the first batter in the ninth. Andrew Chafin was brought in to nail down the save, but he allowed a triple and a walk before Scott McGough recorded the final out. After the game, Lovullo lamented to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic what he termed "overmanaging" in using more relievers than was necessary. "I'm trying to get everybody involved, get people in a game and get them on a roll," he said. With several members of the bullpen struggling of late -- including Chafin and McGough -- Ginkel has been rolling and has emerged as Lovullo's go-to late-inning arm.

Doval (3-3) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one over one inning, taking a blown save but picking up the win Saturday versus the Red Sox.

Doval gave up a two-run, game-tying single to Justin Turner in the top of the ninth inning, but J.D. Davis's walk-off solo home run lifted the Giants to the win. Doval had pitched seven consecutive scoreless innings entering Saturday. Despite the misstep, the closer has a 2.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 63:19 K:BB through 47 innings while converting 31 of 34 save chances this season.

Phillips allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Reds.

Phillips had not received a save chance since he blew one July 4. His strong showing Saturday extended his scoreless streak to 5.2 innings over his last six appearances. Ryan Brasier and Alex Vesia each picked up a save this month, making the back end of the Dodgers bullpen a tricky one to forecast over the remaining two months. Phillips is still in the closer committee, as is Brusdar Graterol, though the recently re-acquired Joe Kelly could also enter that mix. Phillips has a 2.21 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 47:9 K:BB through 40.2 innings this season while adding 13 saves and six holds.

McGough earned a save against Seattle on Saturday, striking out the only batter he faced to close out the contest.

Kevin Ginkel -- who had picked up each of Arizona's previous three saves -- was deployed in the eighth inning Saturday and was pulled with one out in the ninth despite retiring all four batters he faced. Arizona then turned to Andrew Chafin to close things out, but he allowed two of three hitters he saw to reach base, giving McGough the opportunity to close things out. The right-hander faced a tough test in Julio Rodriguez but managed to strike him out on the eighth pitch of the at-bat. This was a nice outing for McGough after he had allowed 11 runs over his previous 4.2 frames, but while there remains a closer committee of sorts in Arizona, Ginkel remains the favorite for saves and the best Diamondbacks reliever to roster from a fantasy perspective.

Alexander will start Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The left-hander has opened two games for the Giants this season and will do so for the third time Sunday versus the Red Sox. Alexander has given up just two earned runs across his past 18 outings and has a 3.41 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB over 29 innings this season. Ross Stripling has struggled as a traditional starter and could handle the bulk role behind Alexander to close out the series against Boston.

Manaea allowed two hits while striking out five over 4.2 scoreless innings in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Boston.

Manaea took over for opener Ryan Walker midway through the third inning and ended up blanking the Red Sox in 4.2 frames. The outing was a much-needed rebound effort for Manaea, who had allowed nine runs over his last three outings (10.2 innings). Through 70.2 innings this season, Manaea owns a 5.48 ERA and an 85:27 K:BB while primarily acting as a reliever.

The Dodgers designated Bickford for assignment Saturday.

The 28-year-old will lose his place on Los Angeles' 26-man and 40-man rosters in order to clear space for trade-acquisition Joe Kelly. Bickford had a 2.81 ERA during the 2021 campaign but has struggled over the past two seasons with a 4.89 ERA in 96 appearances. However, he's given up just two earned runs over his past 13 outings and could generate some interest on the waiver wire.

The Rockies optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

In order to make room for Chris Flexen, who was recalled to start Saturday's game, Hollowell will head back to the minors. The 25-year-old righty holds a 6.46 ERA through 15.1 innings in the majors, but that number comes down to 3.21 in Triple-A.