Bender struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Royals.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough continues to mix and match his high-leverage options, as none of them have really stepped up to seize the closing job. Calvin Faucher blew a save chance in the ninth inning Friday, while Ronny Henriquez worked the eighth inning both Friday and Saturday, leaving the ninth to Bender in the latter contest. Two of Bender's saves on the season have come since July 7, and he's riding an 11-appearance shutout streak in which he's posted a 0.62 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 11.1 innings with two wins and five holds. That impressive stretch could earn him more save chances, but it could also make him a prime candidate to get moved at the trade deadline.

Pagan allowed a hit and a run while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 21st save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Mets.

The 34-year-old righty established a career high in saves, surpassing the 20 he collected in 2019 -- the only other time he's reached double digits in his big-league career. Pagan is doing his best to improve his trade value as the deadline approaches, and over his last 10 appearances he's posted a 0.96 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 9.1 innings while converting all four of his save chances.

Walker did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Angels, allowing three runs on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts over four innings.

Walker opened with three scoreless innings before giving up back-to-back homers in a three-run fourth. The 32-year-old threw 50 of 70 pitches for strikes but generated just four whiffs and has completed only four frames in both of his starts since rejoining the rotation July 8. He'll take a 3.75 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 53:25 K:BB across 62.1 innings into a tough matchup with the Yankees next weekend.

Kopech (knee) began a throwing program Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Kopech underwent surgery in early July to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He moved to the 60-day IL shortly afterward, so he isn't eligible to rejoin the active roster until Aug. 27, but the 29-year-old reliever said Saturday that he's optimistic he'll be ready by then.

Peralta (4-1) earned the win over Washington on Friday, allowing one hit over 1.1 scoreless innings. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

Jason Adam gave up a pair of runs in the eighth inning to allow the Nationals to tie the game, and the All-Star reliever was pulled with runners on the corners and two outs. Peralta entered and got out of the inning when Josh Bell was caught attempting to steal second base. San Diego then plated five runs in the top of the ninth, putting Peralta in line for the win, which he closed out with a scoreless bottom of the frame. It was the first time in 14 appearances that the southpaw was involved in a decision -- over his previous 13 outings, he had no wins, losses, holds or saves but logged a 2.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB across 14.1 innings.

The Mets optioned Waddell to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

After giving up two runs in 3.2 innings out of the bullpen Friday, Waddell will be sent back to the minors in favor of Kevin Herget, who will provide New York with a fresh arm. Waddell has surrendered eight runs over 12.1 frames across his last four MLB outings but could still make several more appearances for the Mets this season.

The Mets selected Herget's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

Herget linked up with the Mets on a minor-league deal after electing free agency Sunday, and he'll now grab a spot in the big-league bullpen, replacing Brandon Waddell. Herget has given up one run in three major-league innings this season and carries a 3.26 ERA through 30.1 frames in Triple-A.

Finnegan (1-4) surrendered five runs on four hits and a walk in one-third of an inning to take the loss Friday against the Padres.

Called upon to protect a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning, Finnegan instead served up a grand slam to Manny Machado. The Nationals' closer held a 2.16 ERA on June 13, but since then he's been tagged for at least three runs in three of his 11 appearances, stumbling to a 9.90 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB over his last 10 innings while blowing his only two save chances. Finnegan is a prime candidate to get moved by the trade deadline, but he isn't helping his market value with his recent performances.

Megill pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 2-0 win over the Dodgers.

Megill hasn't allowed a baserunner in his last four appearances, racking up seven strikeouts, three saves and a win in that span. He was particularly efficient Friday, needing just seven pitches to retire the side. The Brewers' closer is up to a career-high 22 saves this season, surpassing his total from last year in 11 fewer appearances. He's added a 2.34 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB through 34.2 innings.

Faucher worked the ninth inning and blew a save, allowing one run on one hit with no walks while striking out two, during Friday's 8-7 win against the Royals.

Faucher blew his fifth save in 13 tries this season, allowing a game-tying home run off the bat of John Rave. The 29-year-old has allowed a homer in back-to-back appearances after previously not allowing one since May 26. It's a good sign for the right-hander that he was called upon to get the first save opportunity of the second half, considering he and Ronny Henriquez have been locked in a battled for the closer spot all season, but whether he gets these nods moving forward will be worth monitoring. The right-hander has a 4.21 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 36.1 innings this season.