MLB Player News

Minter earned a save over the Mets on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Minter worked as Atlanta's closer early in the campaign, but coming into Wednesday he hadn't picked up a save in over a month. However, Raisel Iglesias had pitched on three of the past four days, so Minter was summoned from the bullpen to protect a 7-5 lead in the ninth inning. The southpaw needed just 10 pitches to retire all three batters he faced and close out the contest. Minter hasn't given up a run over his past six outings, but he's not likely to see many more save chances with Iglesias in firm control of the team's closer role.

Rogers (2-2) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three over a scoreless inning to earn the win Wednesday over the Rockies.

Rogers made things interesting but kept the Giants within a run in the seventh inning. He's pitched 6.1 consecutive scoreless innings, and he's given up just one run in his last 18 appearances. The southpaw got off to a rough start in 2023, but he's recovered to a 3.54 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB through 20.1 innings while adding a save and three holds in 24 appearances. He should continue to feature as part of the bridge to closer Camilo Doval.

Doval struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Rockies.

Doval's last two appearances came in non-save situations. He was able lock down his 15th save of the campaign with just 12 pitches. He's converted all 12 of his save chances since the start of May, and the Giants' improved play in recent weeks has allowed him to get more looks. For the season, the hard-throwing righty has a 2.03 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 40:10 K:BB over 26.2 innings.

Hicks (1-3) allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Wednesday over the Rangers.

Since a three-run blow-up versus the Tigers on May 5, Hicks has been excellent with 12.1 scoreless innings with an 18:4 K:BB. He was able to get the win in a 1-0 contest Wednesday, keeping the game scoreless in the seventh inning before Alec Burleson put the Cardinals ahead in the eighth. Hicks is now at a 3.91 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 40:18 K:BB through 25.1 innings overall, but his recent work has helped him reclaim some work in high-leverage spots. He's added five holds and two blown saves in 24 appearances.

Helsley struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Rangers.

Helsley's had a couple of stumbles this season, but he's avoided prolonged slumps. This was his third clean outing in his last four. The right-hander is 7-for-11 in save chances with two holds, a 3.24 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB over 25 innings this season. Helsley continues to share the closer role with Giovanny Gallegos, who tossed a perfect eighth inning for a hold against the middle of the Rangers' lineup while Helsley was used against the bottom of the order Wednesday.

The Cubs recalled Rucker from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Rucker will rejoin the Cubs' bullpen following the placement of Edwin Rios (undisclosed) on the 10-day injured list. Rucker was enjoying a strong start to the season with Chicago but gave up 10 earned runs in 8.1 innings over his last four appearances, leading to his demotion May 28. Now that he's back, Rucker will likely return to a multi-inning relief role.

Machado cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

While he no longer occupies a spot on the 40-man roster, Machado will remain in the Nationals organization. He's posted an 8.47 ERA at the major-league level this season.

Washington recalled Abbott from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

Abbott has made two relief appearances for the Nationals this season, yielding one run over four innings. Though he's been a full-time member of the rotation when he's been with Rochester, Abbott looks set to serve as a multi-inning option once again during his upcoming stint in the big leagues.

Ferguson (3-1) took a blown save and a loss Tuesday against the Reds, allowing three runs on one hit and three walks while getting through just a third of an inning.

Ferguson was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth after Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips worked the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Ferguson quickly got himself into some major trouble, allowing a single, walking three and hitting a batter before being replaced by Shelby Miller with the game tied up. Miller tossed two pitches and the Reds walked it off with a hit from Matt McLain. Ferguson has now given up six runs over his last three innings pitched. Prior to May 27, he had given up just two runs all year over 18.1 innings. He is still the team's top left-handed pitching option but may have lost his chance at a ninth-inning role for the near future.

Iglesias struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his eighth save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Mets.

The right-hander has gone 10 straight appearances without allowing an earned run, but Iglesias' 8:5 K:BB through 9.1 innings over that stretch highlights his lack of dominance since making his belated season debut in early May. His 2.84 ERA and 1.11 WHIP are solid, but he's lost two mph on his four-seam fastball over the last couple years, seeing it decline from 96.3 mph in 2021 to 94.3 mph in 2023.