MLB Player News

Estevez (2-4) blew the save but picked up the win in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Nationals, giving up two runs on three hits in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

The right-hander entered the game with Philadelphia ahead 2-0, but he gave up three straight singles to open the ninth before a Jacob Young fielder's choice tied it up. Estevez was able to right the ship and get off the mound without any further damage, and Trea Turner then walked it off in the bottom of the frame. Estevez has been effective since coming over from the Angels at the trade deadline, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 8.2 innings, but he has only one win and one save in eight appearances.

Finnegan (3-6) took the loss Friday, giving up a run on three hits and a walk without recording an out as the Nationals were downed 3-2 by the Phillies.

Entering a 2-2 game in the bottom of the ninth inning, Finnegan served up singles to Brandon Marsh and Cal Stevenson before loading the bases by intentionally walking Kyle Schwarber. The desperation move didn't pay off, as former Nationals teammate Trea Turner walked it off by nearly launching a grand slam, although he only got credit for a single when the ball banged off the wall in left-center field. Things haven't gone smoothly for Finnegan of late, and the Nats could end up regretting not moving him at the trade deadline -- over his last seven appearances, the right-hander has a horrific 12.79 ERA, 2.84 WHIP and 4:4 K:BB in 6.1 innings, although he's managed to convert his only two save chances over that stretch.

Blalock is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Padres at Coors Field.

The right-hander will earn a second straight turn through the rotation after he fell just shy of delivering a quality start in his Rockies debut Monday, when he took a no-decision while limiting a potent Diamondbacks lineup to three earned runs on six hits and no walks. That outing came at a more neutral offensive environment at Chase Field, but Blalock will be difficult to rely upon Sunday while he pitches for the first time at the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Gilbreath walked one and didn't allow a hit or a run over two-thirds of an inning in his season debut during Friday's 7-3 win over the Padres.

Gilbreath figures to pitch in a low-leverage role for the rest of the season. He posted a mediocre 6.23 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB over 8.2 innings during his minor-league rehab assignment while working his way back from Tommy John surgery and a separate shoulder injury. His appearance Friday was his first in the majors since Aug. 26, 2022.

Payamps struck out one batter in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Guardians on Friday.

Payamps was tasked with closing out the 5-3 contest and did so with ease, throwing nine of 14 pitches for strikes. It was his first save since July 26 and he's converted six of his eight chances this season. He's 2-0 with two saves, two holds and a 0.75 ERA over his last 12 innings. Payamps received the save opportunity Friday after Devin Williams pitched the previous two days and took the night off against Cleveland.

Kopech struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals.

Kopech continues to excel with the Dodgers -- he's yet to give up a run over 8.1 innings with the team while posting a 13:1 K:BB in that span. Evan Phillips and Joe Kelly served as the bridge over the seventh and eighth innings before Kopech got the save opportunity, while Daniel Hudson didn't pitch after his blow-up versus the Brewers on Thursday. For the season, Kopech has 10 saves and five holds while pitching to a 3.98 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB through 52 innings between the Dodgers and the White Sox. The Dodgers' bullpen depth means it's unlikely Kopech is ever the clear-cut closer, but he should continue to get plenty of high-leverage chances.

Martinez (6-6) took the loss Friday against the Royals, allowing three runs on eight hits over six innings. He struck out four.

Martinez held Kansas City to a Bobby Witt solo homer through his first five innings before surrendering two runs on four hits in the sixth. It's the first loss for Martinez since taking over a spot in the rotation -- he'd allowed just one run in his last 24.1 innings prior to Friday. Overall, the right-hander sports a 3.25 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and 79:10 K:BB across 97 innings this year. Martinez is currently slated for a road matchup with Toronto in his next outing.

Hoffman earned his 17th hold of the season Friday against the Nationals, striking out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

The Phillies have taken a fluid approach to the ninth inning this season, though Hoffman at one point appeared to be moving into something close to a true closer's role, earning a save in fourth straight appearances from June 30 through July 10. He hasn't earned a save since then, though the Phillies as a team have just two in that time, with one going to Matt Strahm and the other to trade deadline acquisition Carlos Estevez. Estevez seems to be the committee leader at the moment, but he blew a save Friday and has allowed at least one run in four of his eight appearances for his new team, so there's no guarantee he gets the next chance.

Neris was charged with a blown save Friday against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on four hits in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Neris allowed singles to three of the first four batters he faced in the ninth inning before George Springer tied the game with a two-out, two-run triple. It's the first blown save for Neris since June 17 -- he'd allowed just two runs in his last 15.1 innings coming into Friday. The 35-year-old's ERA is up to 3.98 on the year with a 1.51 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB across 43 innings. He's converted 17 of 22 save chances.

Holderman (wrist) threw a live batting practice session Friday consisting of 22 to 25 pitches, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The next step will be either another round of live BP or the beginning of a rehab assignment. Holderman has missed just a little over a week with a right wrist sprain, so he shouldn't require more than one or two rehab outings before being activated from the 15-day injured list.