MLB Player News

Rutledge coughed up four runs on four hits, including two home runs, over just one-third of an inning in Sunday's loss to the Brewers.

His lone out did come via strikeout, but it was still a rough way for the 26-year-old righty to end the first half. Rutledge boasted an ERA of 2.08 back on May 6 and looked like a potential high-leverage option for the Nationals' bullpen, but since then things have gone completely off the rails for the 2019 first-round pick. On the season, Rutledge carries a 6.92 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB through 40.1 innings, and he's served up an ugly 12 homers.

Bellozo carries a 3.55 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB through 50.2 innings over 17 appearances (five starts) going into the All-Star break.

The 25-year-old righty doesn't offer much strikeout upside, limiting his fantasy appeal, but he's been a rock for the Marlins in long relief over the last month. Bellozo hasn't allowed more than one run in an outing since June 13, and over his last 15 innings and seven appearances he sports a 1.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. If Miami trades away starting pitching before the deadline, Bellozo could get another crack at holding down a rotation spot.

Bivens took the loss in Sunday's 5-2 extra-innings defeat to the Dodgers, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and one intentional walk while striking out one over one inning.

Tasked with protecting a tie game in the 11th inning, Bivens retired the first two batters he faced before surrendering three consecutive singles, allowing the Dodgers to take a commanding lead. The right-hander has been charged with five runs (four earned) in his last two outings. He now owns a 3.72 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 37:14 K:BB across 46 innings in 31 appearances this season.

Johnson has a 2.67 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB through 33.2 innings this season with a win, a save and seven holds in 36 appearances.

The 34-year-old right-hander is tied for second on Atlanta in holds, behind Dylan Lee's nine, and Johnson heads into the All-Star break having not allowed a run since June 7, posting a 0.97 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB in 10.1 innings over that scoreless stretch. If the struggling club decide to be sellers at the trade deadline and move closer Raisel Iglesias, Johnson could move into the ninth-inning mix over the final months of the season.

O'Brien has permitted just one run and boasts a 20:8 K:BB over 16 innings covering his last 12 appearances.

O'Brien has had trouble staying healthy and producing at the major-league level, but the stuff has always been there and he seems to finally be finding his footing. The 30-year-old netted his second hold of the season in Sunday's win over Atlanta and could continue to be elevated in the Cardinals' bullpen hierarchy.

Helsley allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning while earning a save against Atlanta on Sunday. He struck out one batter.

Helsley put two runners on base with no outs but escaped the jam and finished off the 5-4 win. After blowing three straight chances in early June, he's converted six straight while allowing only one run over his last eight outings. Helsley owns a 3.27 ERA and a 36:14 K:BB while converting 19 of his 24 save chances this season.

Daniel did not factor in the decision during Sunday's loss to St. Louis. He allowed a run on two hits and three walks over four innings while striking out five.

Daniel was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett to make his first MLB appearance since April 27. He ran into some trouble in the first two frames and coughed up a run in the second inning before retiring seven of the last eight batters he faced. Daniel has posted a 3.27 ERA over 71.2 innings at the Triple-A level this season. As of now, it's unclear if he'll stick around with Atlanta after the All-Star break. There may be room for Daniel to carve out a role as the team deals with a banged-up rotation, including injuries to Chris Sale (ribs) and Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow).

Kranick is scheduled to meet with Dr. Keith Meister to receive a second opinion on his right elbow injury, and Tommy John surgery could be a possibility for the right-hander, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Kranick was placed on the 15-day injured list June 19 due to right flexor strain, and after being re-examined Thursday following a three-week rest period, the 27-year-old seemingly hasn't made enough progress in his recovery to start throwing. He'll receive feedback from Dr. Meister before a determination is made on his treatment plan, but Kranick could be at risk of requiring the second Tommy John surgery of his career, after he previously underwent the procedure in June 2022. Another Tommy John surgery would knock Kranick out for the remainder of the season and would likely sideline him for the entire 2026 campaign.

Butto (illness) is scheduled to make a rehab appearance in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Tuesday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

New York placed Butto on the 15-day injured list July 4 after he came down with an illness, but the right-hander shouldn't be in line for an extended stay on the shelf. He may need just one or two rehab appearances before being cleared to return from the IL, possibly in advance of the Mets' first game out of the All-Star break Friday versus the Reds.

Strahm walked two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Padres.

Strahm threw just seven of 16 pitches for strikes, but he was able to avoid giving up a run to preserve a thin lead. He's on a six-inning scoreless streak, during which he has picked up two saves and one hold while adding a 7:4 K:BB. Strahm is at a 3.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB with six saves, 10 holds and four blown saves over 38.1 innings this season. The Phillies' closer role is a committee at this point, but Strahm has been more reliable than Jordan Romano or Orion Kerkering in recent weeks.