MLB Player News

Johnson pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 10-7 win over the Mets.

Johnson melted down in a non-save situation in his last outing Thursday, but he responded well. He needed just six pitches (five strikes) to set down the Mets' 3-4-5 hitters. While pitching at Coors Field can lead to the occasional blow-up, Johnson has converted all 11 of his save chances this season. He's at a 6.23 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB through 21.2 innings.

Diaz allowed a hit, hit a batter and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Cubs.

It was far from a shutdown inning, but it was good enough to protect a three-run lead. Diaz has allowed multiple baserunners in three of his last five outings, but he's been scored on in just two of his 20 appearances this season. It shakes out as a 1.83 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 37:10 K:BB through 19.2 innings, and he's converted all 11 of his save chances while adding one hold. Diaz's strong pitching this season has solidified his grip on the closer role.

Fulmer (0-4) allowed two runs while retiring only two batters to take the loss Saturday against the Reds. He gave up a hit and two walks while striking out two.

Fulmer was tagged for a two-run home run by Jonathan India in the fifth inning to ultimately get saddled with the loss in the 8-5 defeat, The veteran has struggled with his new team, as he now has a 7.84 ERA and has allowed two earned runs or more six times in 23 outings this year. Fulmer has lost his grip on a high-leverage role and has little fantasy appeal at the moment.

Ferguson earned a save against the Rays on Saturday, allowing a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Coming into the contest, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol had combined to notch 10 of the Dodgers' 13 saves on the season, but manager Dave Roberts eschewed that approach and deployed Graterol in the seventh inning and Phillips in the eighth Saturday. Phillips was left in the game to retire the first batter in the ninth before Roberts turned to Ferguson to close things out. The move nearly backfired, as the southpaw allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base, resulting in a run. However, Ferguson was able to get Harold Ramirez to ground out to end the threat. Ferguson picked up his second save to go along with seven holds, and he's pitched very well overall, posting a 1.42 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB over 19 innings. However, Phillips and Graterol still figure to get most of the save chances for Los Angeles moving forward.

Burdi was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after being claimed off waivers from the Rays on Friday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The Rays deemed Burdi no longer worthy of a 40-man roster spot, but the Dodgers will keep him around in that role, albeit not as part of the active roster. The oft-injured righty owns a career 8.44 ERA in 21.1 innings at the major-league level after giving up six runs (five earned) in his four innings with Tampa Bay.

Frias was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Frias has struggled to a 10.80 ERA across a pair of brief stints in the big leagues this season, striking out eight while walking seven in 6.2 innings. Drey Jameson was recalled to take his place on the roster.

Jameson was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Jameson made three starts and three relief appearances early in the season, winning two games and saving another, but he was optioned in late April despite recording a 3.71 ERA. His 16.0 percent walk rate was high, and while he cut that mark down to 8.9 percent across five Triple-A starts, he also posted a 5.79 ERA. His promotion Saturday comes in the same set of transactions as Brandon Pfaadt's demotion but also Zach Davies' return from the injured list, so Jameson may have to settle for a relief role for now.

Bracho cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

The Reds designated Bracho for assignment earlier this week, and it's no real surprise to see him pass through waivers unclaimed given his struggles. Bracho flashed some promise back in 2018 with Arizona, but he's been unable to carve out a consistent relief role in the majors in recent years.

Alvarado (elbow) played catch on flat ground but did not throw a bullpen session Saturday as scheduled, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Manager Rob Thomson said Alvarado was hitting 98 mph in a bullpen session earlier this week and probably pushed himself too hard. However, despite the delay to Alvarado's return to mound work, the skipper insists this isn't a setback. With that, it sounds like the lefty still has a chance to advance to live batting practice next week.

Cousins was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

The Brewers' bullpen was needed for 6.2 innings behind Freddy Peralta in Friday's 15-1 loss to the Giants. Cousins will return for his third stint with the big-league team this season, providing a fresh arm heading into the final two games against San Francisco. Cousins has made seven appearances for Milwaukee so far this season, pitching to a 3.24 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 7:8 K:BB over 8.1 innings.