MLB Player News

Casparius earned a hold against the Mets in Friday's extra-innings contest, allowing one walk and striking out six batters in three hitless and scoreless frames.

A 98-minute rain delay in the top of the third inning caused both starting pitchers to have abbreviated outings, with Los Angeles' Clayton Kershaw tossing just two innings. Matt Sauer and Casparius absorbed three innings apiece thereafter to help preserve the team's bullpen, though LA still used eight pitchers overall due to the game lasting 13 frames. Casparius' outing was the most impressive of any of the team's hurlers -- he not only held New York hitless but also notched 13 whiffs on just 46 pitches and struck out six of the 10 batters he faced, including Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor (twice). The dominant effort was a continuation of what has been a breakthrough campaign for the right-hander. In addition to posting a 2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 38:6 K:BB through 33.2 innings, Casparius ranks above the 80th percentile in almost every advanced metric, including in the 93rd percentile in pitching run value and in the 95th percentile in fastball run value.

Hall (lat) struck out six and allowed two hits and one walk over three scoreless innings in a rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville.

After kicking off his rehab assignment May 3 in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and making two starts, Hall has moved up to Nashville for his most recent two outings. He's delivered scoreless appearances in both of his Triple-A appearances, though he was much more efficient Wednesday while pushing up his pitch count to 57. The left-hander looks like he'll continue to get stretched out as a starter while he works his way back from the left lat strain that has kept him on the shelf all season, but the Brewers likely won't have a spot in the rotation available for him once he returns from the 60-day injured list. Hall has a minor-league option remaining and could stick around in Nashville as a member of the rotation once his 30-day rehab window closes, or the Brewers could have him serve as a multi-inning option out of the big-league bullpen.

Scott coughed up three runs on three hits and a walk while recording just one out Friday, blowing his fourth save of the season in an eventual 7-5 extra-innings win over the Mets.

Brought in to protect a 5-2 lead in the ninth inning, Scott put two runners aboard ahead of a one-out triple by Jeff McNeil, who then came home on a Tyrone Taylor single. Scott has blown two of his last three save chances, but he'd gone eight appearances without allowing a run prior to that. The southpaw sports a 3.42 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 25:2 K:BB through 23.2 innings on the season with 10 saves and four holds in 24 games, and his spot in the Dodgers' bullpen hierarchy doesn't seem to be in immediate jeopardy, especially with Kirby Yates (hamstring), Michael Kopech (shoulder) and Evan Phillips (elbow) all currently on the injured list.

Banks struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Athletics.

The Phillies grew their lead from 1-0 to 4-0 in the ninth inning, taking a save situation off the board for Jordan Romano, who entered the game anyway in the bottom of the ninth. He struggled, allowing a three-run home run to Nick Kurtz, and Banks entered after that, striking out Luis Urias to avoid an epic collapse. This was Banks' fourth career save and his first this season. He's mostly pitched in a middle-relief role, compiling a 3.91 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB over 23 innings. While he was successful Friday, Banks is unlikely to challenge Romano for the closer role, while Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering have been the Phillies' primary setup options.

Helsley registered the save in Friday's 4-3 win over Arizona after allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

It wasn't easy for Helsley, who hung a curveball in the strike zone that left the yard via a two-run homer by Gabriel Moreno. The hard-throwing right-hander was still able to hold on and preserve the victory, successfully converting his 10th save in 12 opportunities on the campaign. Helsley's 1.47 WHIP is a bit concerning, but he does have a respectable 3.71 ERA and 17:10 K:BB over 17 frames and remains St. Louis' go-to weapon in the ninth inning.

Agnos walked one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over the Yankees.

This was Agnos' third save of the season, though it was his first since May 1 versus the Giants. Over his previous five appearances, he had allowed four runs (two earned) with a 6:1 K:BB, earning one hold. Agnos is in the mix for closing duties for the Rockies, but considering the team improved to 9-42 with Friday's win, save chances are unlikely to be frequent. He has a 1.29 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB over 14 innings this season.

Iglesias (3-4) was tagged with the loss against the Padres on Friday after allowing a solo homer in the ninth inning while striking out one batter. He did not issue a walk.

Iglesias was tasked with keeping the game tied at 1-1, but that mission was short-lived after he yielded a solo home run to Manny Machado. It's been a shaky season for Iglesias, who has allowed at least one earned run in five of his last seven outings and has a 5.75 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB across 20.1 innings. Iglesias' recent poor play could force manager Brian Snitker to turn to someone else for closing duties. Pierce Johnson and Dylan Lee are current options out of the bullpen, or Snitker could consider veteran Craig Kimbrel, who is with Triple-A Gwinnett after signing a minor-league deal with Atlanta in March.

Suarez earned the save in Friday's 2-1 win over Atlanta after allowing two hits without recording a walk or strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Suarez blew his last two save opportunities, but he got the call to come in for the ninth inning to protect the Padres' one-run lead. He was able to maneuver past two singles -- thanks in large part to a baserunning blunder by Eli White -- to come away with the save after tossing 19 pitches (13 strikes). Suarez has a 2.57 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB across 21 innings this season, and his 16 saves is second most in the majors behind Andres Munoz (17).

Thompson is back in St. Louis to be re-evaluated after suffering a setback with his injured left lat, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Thompson was diagnosed with a left lat strain in early March and shut down for about a month. It's not clear where he was at in his throwing program when he experienced a setback, but more information about his status should be available after he's looked at by doctors in St. Louis.

Montas (lat) said Friday he's beginning a rehab assignment at High-A Brooklyn and will make a start Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Montas suffered a high-grade right lat strain in February and faced hitters for the first time May 16. He's now been cleared to begin what's expected to be a somewhat lengthy rehab assignment. Per Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record, Montas will throw 30-to-35 pitches Saturday. The 32-year-old logged a 4.84 ERA across 150.2 regular-season innings in 2024.