MLB Player News

Manager Dave Martinez labeled Finnegan as "the guy" for the closer role Thursday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

Tanner Rainey (elbow) has worked as Washington's primary closer this year and has 12 saves, but he's expected to miss the rest of 2022 after being placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday with a UCL sprain. Finnegan has operated in a setup role this season with 12 holds, and he has a 3.89 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 34.2 innings. The right-hander also recorded 11 saves while operating as the Nationals' closer during the second half of last season. Washington ranks last in the league in total saves, so save opportunities could be somewhat infrequent even if Finnegan pitches well.

Kimbrel (3-4) picked up the win against St. Louis on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

With the Dodgers mounting a late-game comeback, manager Dave Roberts elected to go to Kimbrel with Los Angeles down by a run in the eighth inning. The veteran right-hander needed 17 pitches to get through the frame, but he retired the side in order and qualified for the win as a result of his team scoring twice in the top of the ninth. Evan Phillips ended up notching the save for the Dodgers, but Kimbrel isn't in imminent danger of losing his ninth-inning role despite a few recent rough outings. He's converted 15 of 18 save chances on the season.

The Dodgers placed Graterol on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right shoulder inflammation.

Graterol dealt with a side injury late last week but will land on the IL with a shoulder issue just before the All-Star break. It's not yet clear how much time the Dodgers expect him to miss, as the right-hander is scheduled to undergo an MRI in Los Angeles on Friday, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, as the team looks to glean a clearer sense of the severity of the injury.

Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Thursday.

The right-hander was activated from the injured list July 1 after missing nearly three months with a biceps injury, and he'll head to the minors despite giving up only one hit over six scoreless innings this season. Thompson should rejoin the bullpen mix for the Nationals before too long.

The Phillies outrighted Kelly to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Philadelphia initially optioned Kelly off the 26-man active roster Wednesday, and at some point in the 24 hours that followed, the organization designated him for assignment. With the 29-year-old reliever having gone unclaimed upon being exposed to waivers, he'll stick in the organization and serve as bullpen depth at the Triple-A level.

Doval (3-4) allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the win Wednesday over the Diamondbacks.

Doval kept the game tied at 3-3 in the ninth inning, and Brandon Crawford hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame. This was Doval's first scoreless outing since June 28, though including Wednesday he's made just four appearances since that date due to the Giants' recent struggles. With Jake McGee designated for assignment and Tyler Rogers working more in the middle innings lately, Doval appears entrenched as the closer in San Francisco. He has a 3.19 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 45:16 K:BB through 36.2 innings while adding 12 saves, two holds and two blown saves in 38 outings.

Rogers' last two appearances have been longer than one inning.

Entering the season, Rogers was expected to be part of the high-leverage mix. It appears his role has evolved a bit, as he's more often entered games in the middle innings (or even earlier in bullpen games). The change has worked out well -- he's allowed runs just once in his last eight appearances, posting a 1.80 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over his last 10 innings. For the season, the submariner has a 4.25 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 25:13 K:BB across 42.1 innings while picking up 11 holds and a 1-3 record in 40 appearances. With less late-inning work and poor strikeout numbers, Rogers is unlikely to carry much fantasy appeal.

Brebbia allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning during Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Brebbia was the opener in another bullpen game, so he was never expected to be in line for the win. He's been good in July so far, pitching 6.1 scoreless innings with a 3:3 K:BB and three hits allowed this month. The right-hander's success as an opener could see him continue to get those opportunities when the Giants' rotation is shorthanded. Overall e's produced a 2.33 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB in 38.2 innings across 41 appearances, three of which have been as an opener. He's added a 4-1 record and eight holds, indicating he's earned some high-leverage chances.

Yates (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday, Jeff Schultz of the Athletic reports.

Yates has been slowly working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in March 2021 and appears set to return to Atlanta's bullpen in the coming weeks. It's unclear which affiliate he'll start his rehab assignment with, but he'll likely need to make multiple appearances before being added to the active roster. Yates remains on track to join Atlanta at some point in early August.

Gallegos (2-4) was tagged with the loss and a blown save against the Dodgers on Wednesday as a result of allowing two runs on three hits over one inning. He struck out two batters and did not issue a walk.

Gallegos inherited a one-run ninth-inning lead, but he wasn't able to keep things that way. The right-hander allowed the first two batters he saw to reach base, and a subsequent sacrifice fly and single resulted in two runs for Los Angeles. Gallegos and Ryan Helsley have been sharing closer duties, but it wouldn't be surprising to see more chances going Helsley's way given Gallegos' recent struggles. The latter has given up at least one run in each of his past four appearances and has two losses in addition to two blown saves over that span.