MLB Player News

Duran earned the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over San Diego, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Duran is now a perfect 14-for-14 in save chances this season. He's given up just one run in his last 12 innings, striking out 21 in that span. Duran's ERA is down to 1.37 across 19.2 innings this year with a 0.86 WHIP and 31:5 K:BB as he continues to be one of the most reliable closers in MLB.

Alvarez didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Marlins, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out five,

The 26-year-old southpaw tossed a season-high 82 pitches (47 strikes) as he continues to get stretched out to fill a rotation spot while Jake Irvin (shoulder) is on the shelf. Alvarez has held his own since rejoining the big-league roster in mid-May, and over five appearances (one start) he's posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB in 16 innings. He has yet to last five full innings in any of those outings, however, limiting his fantasy appeal if the Nationals intend to use him as a traditional starter rather than having him work behind an opener. Alvarez lines up to get his next turn through the rotation on the road early next week in San Francisco.

Fairbanks gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Nationals.

He also hit a batter with a pitch to make things interesting, but after the first two Washington hitters reached base to begin the frame, Fairbanks buckled down and escaped the jam. Over eight appearances since returning in mid-May from nerve irritation in his right hand, he's posted a 2.46 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB over 7.1 innings while collecting two wins and two saves in three chances.

The Brewers placed Zastryzny on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left trapezius strain, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Zastryzny was just activated Sunday after missing the first two months of the season with shoulder and intercostal strains, but he's heading back to the IL without having made an appearance. It's unclear whether this is a setback of one of the lefty's initial injuries or a new issue, but either way, the Brewers will likely take things slowly with Zastryzny.

The Giants recalled Smith from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Smith will rejoin San Francisco after making just one appearance for the big-league club on May 10. In Triple-A, the 26-year-old has a 3.98 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB. The right-hander will replace Matt Gage (knee) in the bullpen as he heads to the 15-day IL.

The Giants placed Gage on the 15-day injured list with knee inflammation Wednesday, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Gage (knee) last appeared Monday against Milwaukee and had a rocky inning of work, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks. The knee issue may have contributed to the struggles, as he commands a 2.63 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 19:13 K:BB through 24 innings on the season. San Francisco called up Dylan Smith to take his spot on the active roster.

Estrada (2-2) picked up the loss after giving up the eventual game-winning run in a 3-2 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Estrada entered the game in the bottom of the sixth with the score tied at 2-2. The 27-year-old allowed Bryce Harper to cross home plate as the go-ahead run as a result of an Alec Bohm double play, limiting the damage at just one run. Estrada has given up two earned runs over his last two appearances after previously pitching 4.2 scoreless innings. The right-hander now sports a 3.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB through 20.2 innings this season.

The Mets recalled Gerber from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

New York will bring Gerber aboard to give the bullpen a fresh right-handed arm heading into Wednesday's series finale in Seattle. The Mets optioned right-hander Jonah Tong to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for Gerber, who previously struck out five batters over a two-inning appearance in his lone outing of the season at the big-league level back on April 13.

The Mets optioned Tong to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Tong was knocked around for five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks over 3.1 innings against the Mariners on Tuesday in a bulk-relief outing. The Mets recalled right-hander Joey Gerber from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Bender struck out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning Tuesday to record his fifth hold of the season in a win over the Nationals.

The right-hander picked up his first hold since April 28 as the Marlins continue to mix and match bullpen options behind closer Pete Fairbanks. Bender hasn't pitched poorly of late -- quite the opposite in fact, as he's posted a 1.46 ERA, 12:1 K:BB and microscopic 0.24 WHIP over 12.1 innings since the beginning of May. Without more consistent usage, however, Bender's fantasy appeal will remain very limited.