MLB Player News

Okert gave up a hit in a scoreless seventh inning to record his seventh hold of the season in Sunday's win over the Nationals.

The veteran lefty continues to be stingy. Okert has been scored upon only three times in 22 appearances since the beginning of May, posting a 0.90 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB through 20 innings over that stretch. His outstanding numbers have earned him a more prominent role in the Miami bullpen, and over his last nine games he's picked up two wins and four holds. While he's no threat to A.J. Puk's closing job, Okert has emerged as a reliable setup arm alongside Dylan Floro and Tanner Scott.

Jameson struck out one over two scoreless and hitless relief innings in Sunday's 12-3 loss to Cleveland.

Jameson gave the Diamondbacks length after starter Zach Davies was removed during the fourth inning. It was the second consecutive appearance in which Jameson threw multiple innings following a short outing from a starter -- he cleaned up for Ryne Nelson on Thursday. Jameson has been used as a long reliever since being called up May 27 but has made spot starts for Arizona and five starts while at Triple-A Reno prior to his current stint with the D-backs. While Arizona appears to be cruising atop the NL West, the back end of the rotation is shaky. Outside of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, the team's starters have a 6.18 ERA over 43 starts. If manager Torey Lovullo is contemplating change, Jameson is already in house. The right-hander has a 3.45 ERA over 15.2 innings (six relief outings) since returning to MLB.

VerHagen (4-0) pitched 1.2 perfect innings and struck out one to earn the win Sunday over the Mets.

VerHagen did his part to keep the game tied until the Cardinals took the lead in the ninth inning. The right-hander has had mixed results in June with three runs allowed over 6.2 innings while posting a 5:1 K:BB. He continues to serve as a multi-inning option, though he's also managed seven holds this season and could see more late-inning work while Ryan Helsley (forearm) is out. VerHagen has a 4.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB over 33.1 innings this season.

Doval recorded two outs to notch a save against the Dodgers on Sunday. He struck out one while not allowing a hit or walk.

Scott Alexander (hamstring) loaded the bases before Doval came in and escaped the threat. Doval converted 15 straight save chances before blowing an opportunity Friday. With Sunday's performance, he lowered his ERA to 1.99 with a strong 45:14 K:BB and 19 saves through 31.2 innings.

Alexander (hamstring) will likely require a trip to the injured list, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Alexander exited Sunday's game against the Dodgers with left hamstring discomfort, an issue he's been dealing with for some time. He'll presumably be re-evaluated Monday before the Giants officially determine whether he'll require an IL stint, but Sean Hjelle was scratched from his minor-league start Sunday and is a candidate to be called up if Alexander is sidelined.

Walker will serve as the opener during Monday's game against the Padres, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Walker's first 11 major-league appearances have come as a reliever, and he's posted a 1.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 14.2 innings. The right-hander hasn't tossed more than 51 pitches in any outing this year, but he'll begin Monday's series opener on the mound while Sean Manaea likely serves as a bulk reliever.

Hader struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Rays.

The Padres' lead went from three runs to one in the eighth inning, but Hader kept things drama-free in the ninth. He's fired six straight scoreless innings in June, converting five saves in as many tries for the month. He's up to 18 saves in 21 chances with a 1.27 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB through 28.1 innings on the year.

Alexander was removed from Sunday's game against the Dodgers due to left hamstring discomfort, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Alexander exited Sunday's matchup after being examined by a trainer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and he's dealing with a hamstring issue that has plagued him recently. It's unclear whether he'll require a trip to the injured list, but he should be considered day-to-day for now.

Marte struck out the side in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

Craig Kimbrel had pitched three of the last four days, likely making him unavailable Sunday. The Phillies opted to let Jose Alvarado take the heart of the Athletics' order, while Marte faced the 8-9-1 batters to secure the save, which was the first of his major-league career. Marte's 6.89 ERA doesn't tell the whole story -- he's kept runs off the board in 13 of 17 appearances, but he's given up multiple runs in each of the other four outings. He also has a 1.60 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB over 15.2 innings this season, though he shouldn't be expected to see many additional high-leverage looks.

Alexander exited Sunday's game against the Dodgers with a trainer in the bottom of the ninth inning due to an unspecified injury, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Alexander gave up no runs on a hit and a walk in one-third of an inning after entering Sunday's matchup in the bottom of the ninth, but he was examined by a trainer after loading the bases, and he exited the game. He appeared to be walking with a limp while exiting the field, but the exact nature and severity of his injury aren't yet clear.