MLB Player News
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Dennis Santana RP | PIT
Pirates' Dennis Santana: Records save Monday
Santana earned a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.
Pittsburgh scored five runs across the eighth and ninth frames to build a two-run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. With David Bednar recently demoted from the closer role and Aroldis Chapman handling the eighth inning, Santana was given the chance to close things out, and he succeeded by retiring the side in order on 13 pitches. Bednar's demotion could be only temporary, but while he's handling lower-leverage situations Santana and Chapman appear to be the favorites to get any save chances that come along.
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Phil Maton RP | NYM
Mets' Phil Maton: Picks up save Monday
Maton earned a save against the Red Sox on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.
Primary closer Edwin Diaz had pitched four times in five days coming into Monday, so he was held out with the Mets ahead by three runs entering the top of the ninth. Maton filled Diaz's usual role well, fanning two batters and retiring the side in order on 12 pitches. This was Maton's first save as a member of the Mets, but he's been very good in a high-leverage role since moving to New York from Tampa Bay on July 9, racking up eight holds and posting a 1.77 ERA along with a 22:5 K:BB over 20.1 frames.
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Jorge Lopez RP | CHC
Cubs' Jorge Lopez: Struggles in loss Monday
Lopez (2-3) allowed four runs on four hits across an inning of relief to take the loss Monday against the Pirates. He struck out two.
After starter Jameson Taillon cruised through seven innings to stake Chicago to a 3-0 lead, Lopez let things slip away in the eighth. The veteran righty allowed two home runs, including a three-run shot by Bryan Reynolds, to get charged with his first blown save of the season and third loss. Lopez has still been effective overall with a 3.00 ERA across 51 innings this year, but after struggling mightily in 2023, it's fair to wonder if the 31-year-old is due for some regression down the stretch. Lopez's poor outing Monday should also strengthen Porter Hodge's grip on the closer role, at least for now.
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Robert Suarez RP | SD
Padres' Robert Suarez: Earns 31st save
Suarez earned the save in Monday's 3-0 win over the Tigers, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.
Suarez was called upon for the second straight day and ended the game on just eight pitches. The closer has allowed runs in four of his past 10 outings but has still managed to convert all six of his save chances during that stretch. On the year, he owns a 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 51:11 K:BB across 55 innings while ranking fourth in the majors with 31 saves.
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Derek Law RP | WAS
Nationals' Derek Law: Activated from injured list
The Nationals activated Law (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
Law has been shelved since mid-August with ulnar nerve irritation in his pitching elbow but recently faced hitters with no issues, clearing the way for his return. The veteran reliever will return to a middle-relief role for the Nationals.
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Darren McCaughan SP | MIA
Marlins' Darren McCaughan: Yields four runs
McCaughan allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk over four-plus innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Giants. He struck out two.
McCaughan gave up two runs through four frames, including a leadoff shot by Mike Yastrzemski. McCaughan was pulled after putting the first two batters on base to begin the fifth inning and was charged with both runs. It was his first MLB appearance since Aug. 8 and third since the start of August. In those three outings, he's posted a 4.00 ERA with a 7:1 K:BB over nine frames. It's unclear if he'll get another turn through the rotation, but McCaughan is tentatively lined up for a home start against the Phillies this weekend.
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Calvin Faucher RP | MIA
Marlins' Calvin Faucher: Fans side for save
Faucher struck out all three batters he faced to earn a save over San Francisco on Sunday.
Faucher needed just 13 pitches (10 strikes) to roll through the Giants and close out the 7-5 win. He converted both save chances while striking out five in two perfect innings during the weekend series against San Francisco, and he's now tossed four straight scoreless innings. Since taking over the closer role in Miami after the trade deadline, Faucher has converted six of seven save chances while registering a 4.15 ERA and a 19:6 K:BB through 13 frames. On the year, he owns a 3.25 ERA over 52.2 innings.
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Anthony Bender RP | MIA
Marlins' Anthony Bender: Makes first rehab appearance
Bender (shoulder) struck out two batters and gave up one earned run on three hits and no walks over one inning in a rehab appearance Saturday with Triple-A Jacksonville.
Bender threw 20 pitches in the rehab outing, his first since landing on the injured list Aug. 15 with a right shoulder impingement. He'll likely need to get in another appearance or two in the minors before rejoining the Miami bullpen, likely as a setup option in front of new closer Calvin Faucher.