MLB Player News

Williams gave up two hits and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Cardinals. He struck out three.

He converted his fifth straight save chance since recovering from back trouble and making his season debut in late July, but Williams wasn't exactly sharp. The right-hander loaded the bases with one out before fanning Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Gorman to escape the jam. Williams has seen a heavy workload over the last week, getting called upon four times in seven days, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Trevor Megill handled the ninth Wednesday should Milwaukee have another late lead to protect.

Kinley allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Tuesday against the Nationals.

Kinley entered the game with a 3-1 lead and continued his solid run since the All-Star break. In 16 games -- spanning 16.2 frames -- he's maintained a 1.62 ERA and 0.78 WHIP to go along with an 18:5 K:BB. Notably, Victor Vodnik (shoulder) was unavailable Tuesday night, and Kinley would likely be next in line for save chances should Vodnik remain sidelined.

Vodnik experienced shoulder soreness while warming up to enter Tuesday's game against the Nationals, MLB.com reports.

Vodnik was preparing to enter the game in the ninth inning with the Rockies leading 3-1 but could not pitch. After the game, manager Bud Black termed the decision as cautious and referenced Vodnik's recent workload. Angel Chivilli entered the game and earned his first career save, though Tyler Kinley had already pitched the eighth inning and would likely be the top choice for save chances if Vodnik is forced to miss additional time.

Nunez (forearm) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, striking out a batter and allowing a hit over a scoreless inning.

Nunez has resided on the 15-day injured list for nearly a month with a pronator strain in his right forearm, so he'll likely require another minor-league appearance or two before the Mets activate him. The right-hander has posted a 2.43 ERA and 0.93 WHIP while striking out 45 batters and issuing just eight walks over 33.1 innings out of the New York bullpen this season.

Suarez picked up another save Tuesday night against the Twins after pitching a clean ninth inning and striking out a batter.

Suarez entered in the ninth for the second straight game and converted another save chance. He didn't have to work as hard to pick up three outs in this one, needing just nine pitches compared to 22 on Monday night. He's now converted six saves in a row and sits fourth in baseball with 29 saves for the year. The 33-year-old flamethrower owns a 1.79 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 48:10 K:BB in 50.1 innings this season.

Walker picked up his second save of the season in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the White Sox after striking out the side in the ninth inning.

Walker needed just 11 pitches to strike out all three batters he faced in the ninth. He's been nothing short of spectacular since being named the team's new closer Aug. 10, allowing just an unearned run while posting an 11:2 K:BB over five innings. Jordan Hicks picked up the save Monday night and figures to be the fill-in closer whenever Walker is unavailable, but Walker seems to have firm grip on the role for a team that is still in the wild-card hunt. The 28-year-old is putting together an incredible season as a whole, posting a 2.07 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 82:15 K:BB in 65.1 innings to go along with two saves, 22 holds and eight wins.

Chivilli earned the save Tuesday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless ninth inning.

Chivilli was summoned to protect a 3-1 lead in the ninth frame and earned his first major-league save on 19 pitches. While it appeared to be a surprising move, Thomas Harding of MLB.com later reported that primary closer Victor Vodnik was experiencing shoulder soreness Tuesday. The rookie owns 4.70 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings and could see more save chances depending on the severity of Vodnik's injury.

Martinez earned the save Tuesday against the Marlins, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Martinez was called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the ninth frame and did so on just seven pitches. He suffered losses in each of his past two appearances but has converted all four of his save chances in August. On the season, the 23-year-old owns a stellar 1.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 67:29 K:BB across 55.1 innings.

Iglesias earned the save Tuesday, setting the Phillies down in order in the ninth inning to close out a 3-1 victory.

Iglesias has now converted his last 18 save chances. He's gone 19 appearances (22 innings) without allowing an earned run, allowing just four hits and two walks in that span. The 34-year-old Iglesias has converted 27 of 29 save opportunities this year while lowering his ERA to a pristine 1.48 with a 0.64 WHIP and 46:8 K:BB across 48.2 innings.

Hodge worked around a hit to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Tigers. He struck out two.

On the same day that the Cubs released veteran reliever Hector Neris, Hodge stepped up to earn his second save of the season. The young righty could be poised to serve as Chicago's primary closer, and he's looked the part this year with a 2.08 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 36 strikeouts across 30.1 innings. Jorge Lopez may also factor into the mix for saves, though Hodge seems to have the higher upside between the two.