MLB Player News

Suarez (8-1) got the win Sunday over the Mets after striking out one during a clean ninth inning appearance.

Suarez did his job in the top of the ninth and kept the score tied, allowing for the Padres to walk it off in the bottom of the inning and reward him with the win. He's now picked up six saves and two wins in nine appearances in August and is one save away from becoming the fourth pitcher to reach 30 saves this season. Suarez is enjoying a spectacular season, pitching to a 1.75 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB in 51.1 innings.

Diaz (5-2) took the loss Sunday against the Padres, allowing one run on one hit while striking out a batter for the only out he recorded.

Diaz came into the bottom of ninth trying to send the game to extra innings with the score tied 2-2. He struck out Jake Cronenworth to begin things, but Jackson Merrill connected on a slider and took it over the wall to walk it off for the Padres. It was Diaz's first loss since coming back from the injured list in June and the second run he's given up in 6.1 innings in August. He's only picked up one save in seven appearances this month but does have an 11:1 K:BB over that span. For the year, Diaz owns a 3.62 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 54:13 K:BB in 37.1 innings to go along with 14 saves.

Hjelle (3-4) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out one over 2.2 innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Sunday.

Hjelle was called on for a long-relief assignment after Robbie Ray left the game with a hamstring injury. Over nine appearances this month, Hjelle has allowed six runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out eight across 14.1 innings. He's at a 3.99 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 60:9 K:BB through 65.1 innings overall, and he's added four holds. Hjelle has lost his last three decisions and hasn't picked up a win since June 5.

Armstrong (3-2) earned the win Sunday over the Twins, retiring both batters he faced.

Armstrong has been moderately effective in a middle-relief role since joining the Cardinals, allowing four runs over 11.1 innings across 10 appearances. He's added an 11:2 K:BB in that span. For the year, Armstrong has a 4.97 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 61:21 K:BB, one save and three holds over 58 innings between the Cardinals and the Rays. Given the success of St. Louis' high-leverage relievers, Armstrong is unlikely to move up the hierarchy.

Helsley picked up the save Sunday, allowing one hit over a scoreless ninth inning against the Twins.

Helsley worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to secure his major-league leading 40th save. Helsley has seen a bit of a decline in his peripherals this season, posting his lowest K/BB and K/9 rates along with his highest ERA and WHIP since 2021. That said, he remains one of the best relievers in the game and has been lights-out in the ninth, closing the door on all but three save chances this season.

Merryweather allowed four runs on five hits and a walk across an inning of relief in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Marlins.

While starter Javier Assad took the loss as he allowed three runs across seven innings, Merryweather didn't do the Cubs any favors in an effort to keep the team in the game. The righty reliever saw his ERA climb from 4.50 to 6.60 in the process. Merryweather has overpowering stuff when he's on, as evidenced by his 98 strikeouts across 72 innings last season, but he's yet to find consistent success from year to year at the MLB level. His fantasy appeal is limited at the moment due to his up-and-down play and lack of save opportunities behind Jorge Lopez and Porter Hodge in Chicago's bullpen.

Oller (1-1) allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Sunday.

Oller limited the damage to an RBI single by Christian Bethancourt in the second inning. This was a much better start for Oller compared to his major-league season debut Monday versus Arizona, in which he yielded five runs over 4.2 innings. He's now at a 5.23 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8:6 K:BB through 10.1 innings. Oller is likely safe to pencil in for at least one more start, as the Marlins aren't expected to get any of their injured starters back before the end of the month. He's lined up for a road outing at San Francisco.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Graterol is expected to begin a rehab assignment next weekend, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander threw a bullpen session Saturday and is likely to throw another before reporting to a minor-league affiliate. Graterol landed on the shelf in early August due to a hamstring strain, which he suffered while making his season debut.

Ortiz didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Cincinnati, allowing four hits and one walk with five strikeouts across six scoreless innings.

Ortiz struggled greatly in his first four appearances of August, tallying a 6.45 ERA and an 0-2 record across 22.1 innings while allowing eight home runs. He righted the ship Sunday against the Reds, though he didn't get the win to show for it. Ortiz has a 3.36 ERA and an 83:32 K:BB through 32 appearances (10 starts) spanning 107 innings. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come against the Guardians in Cleveland.

Diaz blew a save Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing two runs on one hit and a hit-by-pitch over one-third of an inning.

The Reds took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but Diaz couldn't get the job done. After getting Rowdy Tellez to ground out to start the frame, Diaz hit Bryan De La Cruz with a pitch then surrendered a walk-off two-run home run to Yasmani Grandal. The 27-year-old closer is now 24-for-27 in save opportunities this season, and the outing pushed his ERA from 4.00 to 4.37.