MLB Player News

Banda struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

Banda got the save opportunity after all of Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia and Daniel Hudson were deployed between the fifth and eighth innings. It was a drama-free experience for Banda, who needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to retire the side. Hudson, who has been the favorite for saves lately, pitched against the heart of the Athletics' order in the eighth inning. Bullpen depth has been a strength for the Dodgers this year, and Banda's been a successful part of that with a 2.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 34:14 K:BB over 33.1 innings while adding five holds and a 1-1 record. Banda is still more likely to work in low-leverage spots, but Sunday's outing is proof he can handle bigger moments.

Estevez (1-4) was charged with the loss in an extra-inning battle against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing one run on two walks over 1.2 innings while also hitting a batter with a pitch. He struck out two.

Estevez entered the game with the score tied in the bottom of the ninth and retired the side on 12 pitches before being brought back out for the 10th. The right-hander then proceeded to intentionally walk Cal Raleigh to open the frame before recording outs in the next two at-bats. However, things fell apart for Estevez after he hit Dylan Moore in the following at-bat, then walked Mitch Haniger to send home the winning run for Seattle. The two walks on the night marked a season high for the reliever, while the run that came home, albeit unearned, was the first that scored on his watch since May 21 against the Astros.

Atlanta optioned Lee to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The left-hander has been an effective bullpen piece for Atlanta this season with a 2.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 47:14 K:BB across 43.2 innings, but he'll be the odd man out Sunday to create roster space for the return of Max Fried (forearm), who was activated from the injured list ahead of his start Sunday against the Marlins. It should only be a matter of time before Lee is back in the big leagues.

Bednar recorded his 20th save of the season in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up one run on two hits and one walk over one inning. He struck out two.

Entrusted with a 4-1 lead in the ninth inning, Bednar fanned the first two batters he faced before a Geraldo Perdomo double kicked off an Arizona rally that saw Alek Thomas come to the plate as the potential winning run, only to fly out. Bednar has been charged with a run in five of his last 10 appearances, but he's still converted all seven of his save chances during that stretch -- in fact, the right-hander hasn't blown a save since April 9.

Pagan (lat) struck out one over one scoreless inning in his rehab appearance for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Pagan kicked off a rehab assignment Saturday and is expected to make three to five more appearances in the minors before being activated. He landed on the 15-day injured list in June then was transferred to the 60-day IL a few weeks later. Pagan is eligible to be activated Aug. 8.

Sewald walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh.

Sewald made his first appearance since manager Torey Lovullo removed him from the closer's role. He did a slightly better job of finding the strike zone -- eight of 15 pitches for strikes -- after throwing just nine strikes over 24 offerings Wednesday. It was that appearance which triggered the decision to strip him of the title as Arizona's closer. As Lovullo explained it, Sewald had a mechanical issue that impacted his ability to throw strikes, which suggests he could regain ninth-inning duties if he's able to correct the problem.

Neris (8-4) allowed one run on one hit across an inning of work to take the loss Saturday against the Cardinals.

Tasked with keeping the game 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning, Neris allowed a leadoff triple to Tommy Pham followed by a sacrifice fly to quickly give St. Louis the lead. For Neris, it was just the second time he's allowed a run over his last 14 appearances, and he has a 1.35 ERA during that span. The veteran's recent strong play should keep him locked in as Chicago's regular closer despite Saturday's hiccup in a non-save situation.

Diaz earned a save against the Giants on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit over one inning.

Diaz entered in the ninth frame with Cincinnati holding a three-run lead and surrendered a solo homer to Matt Chapman on his third pitch. However, the closer rebounded to retire the next three batters and nail down the save. Diaz has converted each of his past 15 save chances and is 22-for-24 in save situations overall this season.

Romero (5-1) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win Saturday over the Cubs.

Kyle Gibson allowed four runs in a seven-inning start, but the Cardinals rallied late and Romero was the beneficiary. Over his last 13 outings, Romero has allowed just one run across 10.2 innings, though he has given up 11 hits and two walks in that span. The lefty setup man has a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 39:9 K:BB with 27 holds through 45.1 innings this season, though he's also been on the hook for five blown saves.

Suarez struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Rockies.

This was the Padres' first save opportunity since the trade deadline. After six innings of one-run ball from starter Martin Perez, the team deployed Jason Adam in the seventh inning while the game was tied at 1-1. The Padres took the lead that frame, and Tanner Scott worked the eighth before Suarez handled the ninth on a crisp nine pitches. So far, it looks like Suarez will remain in the closer role, one in which he's excelled in for most of the year despite converting just three of five save chances in July. He's at a 1.44 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 43:8 K:BB while adding 24 saves in 27 chances through 43.2 innings.