MLB Player News
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Nick Mears RP | MIL
Brewers' Nick Mears: Scheduled for sim game
Mears (forearm) will throw a simulated game Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Mears has been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 25 due to a right forearm strain. He's now poised to take the next step in his throwing program, and barring any setbacks, he could return to the Brewers' bullpen during the final week of the regular season. Over his 11 outings with the Brewers this season, Mears has a 6.75 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 10.2 innings.
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Kyle Leahy RP | STL
Cardinals' Kyle Leahy: Returns to majors
The Cardinals recalled Leahy from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.
Leahy owns a 4.02 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 47 innings with the Cardinals this season, and he's given up just one earned run across 5.2 Triple-A frames since making his last MLB appearance Sept. 6. He'll come up to give the Cards some additional bullpen depth as Sonny Gray (forearm) heads to the IL.
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Grant Holmes RP | ATL
Braves' Grant Holmes: Getting another start
Holmes is scheduled to start Sunday against the Marlins at LoanDepot Park.
After making eight straight appearances out of the bullpen, Holmes was thrust back into the rotation Tuesday as a replacement for Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder), who was placed on the injured list the week prior. While taking the hill Tuesday on two days' rest, Holmes took a no-decision against the Reds, covering four innings on 78 pitches and giving up two earned runs. Holmes should be able to provide Atlanta with more length as he makes his second turn through the rotation Sunday.
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A.J. Puk RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Collects third save
Puk gave up a hit and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Brewers.
A Diamondbacks reliever hadn't recorded a traditional save since Sept. 3, but with the team protecting a three-run lead Friday, Justin Martinez was deployed in the seventh inning to face the heart of the Brewers' order, while Ryan Thompson got the eighth and Puk handled the ninth. If Martinez is moving into a highest-leverage role rather than being held back for the ninth, it could open up a save chance or two over the final week of the season for Puk, who is on an impressive roll -- he's hasn't been tagged for a run since Aug. 2, posting a 0.53 WHIP and 34:3 K:BB over his last 20.2 innings with two saves and five holds.
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Robert Suarez RP | SD
Padres' Robert Suarez: Blows sixth save
Suarez allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over one inning Friday, taking a blown save in a 3-2 extra-inning win over the White Sox.
Suarez walked Gavin Sheets and allowed a two-run home run to Lenyn Sosa with two outs in the ninth inning. September hasn't been kind to Suarez -- he's blown three of his seven save chances this month while allowing seven runs over nine innings. For the season, he's 33-for-39 in save chances with a 2.76 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 56:15 K:BB through 62 innings. Should Suarez continue to falter, the Padres are not lacking in closing options, with Tanner Scott and Jason Adam among their most effective setup men.
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Michael Kopech SP | LAD
Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Grabs 14th save
Kopech allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.
Kopech allowed a solo home run to Michael Toglia in the ninth inning, the first long ball he's given up since July 7. The Rockies couldn't build off it though, allowing Kopech to secure his fifth save as a Dodger, all of which he's earned since Aug. 16. The right-hander is at a 3.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 84:33 K:BB over 64.2 innings with 14 saves between the Dodgers and the White Sox, but he's been dominant with a 1.29 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 21 innings since he was dealt to Los Angeles.
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Jesus Tinoco RP | MIA
Marlins' Jesus Tinoco: Earns save Friday
Tinoco threw a perfect inning and picked up a save against Atlanta on Friday.
Tinoco needed just eight pitches (six strikes) to retire Atlanta's 9-1-2 hitters and close out a 4-3 win. It was his second save of the season and both have come during his last three appearances. Tinoco dropped his season ERA to 3.47 with a 39:11 K:BB through 36.1 innings.
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Camilo Doval RP | SF
Giants' Camilo Doval: Shaky in 23rd save
Doval earned the save in Friday's 2-1 win at Kansas City while allowing one run on no hits and two walks over one inning. He struck out two.
After Ryan Walker had thrown 35 pitches over the previous two games and blown a save via walk-off homer Thursday, Doval was called upon in the ninth Friday. The former Giants closer looked rusty, as he opened the ninth with back-to-back walks. A groundout allowed both runners to move up a base, setting the table for a Garrett Hampson sacrifice fly to drive in the Royals' first run. However, Doval recovered to punch out the next batter, Tommy Pham, to end the game. Since being recalled from Triple-A on Aug. 24, Doval has pitched to a 7.36 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB across 11 innings. He remains, at best, a secondary option for saves in San Francisco so long as Walker is around.
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Nick Martinez RP | CIN
Reds' Nick Martinez: Four straight wins
Martinez (10-6) earned the win Friday over the Pirates, allowing just two hits across six scoreless innings. He struck out nine.
Martinez was excellent Friday, recording a season-high nine strikeouts. The right-hander has now won four consecutive starts, allowing just two earned runs across 24.2 innings in that span. Martinez's ERA is down to 3.22 this season with a 1.05 WHIP and 113:18 K:BB across 134.1 innings. Martinez is currently in line for a road matchup with the Cubs next week, as he'll look to wrap up a strong finish to the season.
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Porter Hodge SP | CHC
Cubs' Porter Hodge: Notches seventh save
Hodge earned the save in Friday's 3-1 win over Washington, striking out a pair in a perfect ninth inning.
Hodge has been sharp since taking over the closer's role in Chicago, allowing just two runs over 11.2 innings while striking out 16. The 23-year-old right-hander now has seven saves with a 1.98 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB across 41 innings this season.