MLB Player News

Chapman picked up the save Thursday against Milwaukee, striking out one batter during a perfect ninth inning.

Chapman inherited a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and required only nine pitches to retire Christian Yelich, Willy Adames and Sal Frelick in order. Chapman has consistently seen ninth-inning work since David Bednar (oblique) got injured June 22, but Chapman's allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and six walks across 7.2 innings with three saves in four opportunities during that stretch.

The Nationals will recall Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester to start Friday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutledge has appeared in just one game for the Nationals this season, allowing a run to score in one inning May 14 against the White Sox. He hasn't done a much better job preventing runs in the minor leagues, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through 71.2 frames. He'll be facing one of the National League's more dynamic offenses Friday, as the Brewers rank fourth in the NL in both OPS (.732) and runs scored (450).

Banda will start Thursday's game against the Phillies, SportsNet LA reports.

Banda has a 2.05 ERA and 20:12 K:BB over 22 innings this season and will make his first start since 2022 on Thursday. The lefty will likely cover only an inning or two before turning things over to the bullpen, with Landon Knack a candidate to work as the bulk reliever.

Williams (back) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

After he tossed a live batting practice session Tuesday in Milwaukee without incident, Williams will move on to the final stage in his prolonged recovery from a pair of stress fractures in his back, an injury he suffered in spring training. As a late-inning reliever, Williams won't require an extensive buildup, but he's still likely to remain on his minor-league rehab assignment once the Brewers open their post-All-Star-break schedule July 20. A return from the 60-day injured list before the end of July can't be discounted, however, especially if Williams looks healthy and pitches effectively during his time in the minors. Once activated, Williams should settle back in as Milwaukee's closer after he racked up 51 saves and posted a 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 126 appearances between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Hoffman struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Dodgers.

Jose Alvarado was called upon to face Freddie Freeman and the heart of the Los Angeles order in the eighth inning, leaving the save chance to Hoffman. That's been the norm of late, as Hoffman has saves in four straight appearances since June 30, while Alvarado has only one save and one hold during that time. Hoffman's performance has earned him increased responsibility, as he hasn't walked a batter in over a month and has a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 13:0 K:BB over his last 10.2 innings. Manager Rob Thomson will play matchups in high-leverage spots with the left-handed Alvarado and the right-handed Hoffman, but the latter seems the better bet for saves heading into the All-Star break.

Sewald pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save over Atlanta on Wednesday.

Sewald entered the contest with a two-run lead in the ninth and needed only eight pitches to retire the side for his 12th save of the campaign. It was a nice bounce-back effort for the closer, who had allowed multiple runs and blown a save in his previous three outings. It was also Sewald's third appearance in which he didn't allow any hits or walks over his last six.

Hoeing (0-2) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out one over three innings to take the loss versus the Astros on Wednesday.

Hoeing completed three innings again, but the Astros established a large lead after the second frame. The 27-year-old has taken the loss in both of his starts since joining the Marlins' rotation, and he's not fully stretched out after throwing just 62 pitches (39 strikes) Wednesday. He's at a 3.16 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB through 25.2 innings over 13 appearances, though he's had more success as a reliever. It's unclear if Hoeing will remain in the rotation following the All-Star break.

Pallante (4-4) took the loss against Kansas City in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out five batters over 6.1 innings.

Pallante cruised through four scoreless, one-hit frames before the Royals struck for three runs on four hits in the fifth. The right-hander was allowed to return for the sixth but was pulled after giving up a tiebreaking solo homer to Salvador Perez with one out. Pallante was consequently stuck with the loss, as St. Louis was unable to catch up. Despite the defeat, Pallante recorded his second-longest outing of the campaign while recording exactly five punchouts for his fourth straight appearance.

Beeks allowed two runs on three hits over one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Reds.

Victor Vodnik gave up a solo home run to lead off the ninth inning, creating a save situation. Beeks entered the contest and had trouble getting things under control, but he ultimately had enough runway to work with. Over his last seven appearances, Beeks has given up nine runs (eight earned) with a 5:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings, converting three of his five save chances in that span. He's at nine saves, five holds and six blown saves this season while pitching to a 4.40 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB through 45 innings overall. With a weak bullpen and a bottom-five record in the majors, save chances are likely to be limited for Colorado, and the team's committee approach makes it tough to roster any of its high-leverage options.

The Rockies reinstated Bird (groin) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Bird has been on the injured list since June 26 due to a right groin strain. He's since thrown one rehab inning in Triple-A, surrendering three hits but allowing none to score, and he'll remain with the Isotopes now that he's fully recovered. The 28-year-old righty owns a 6.26 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 23 MLB innings, so he'll likely need to show consistent success in the minors before he's invited back into the Rockies' bullpen.