MLB Player News

Alvarado gave up a hit and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Brewers.

The southpaw picked up his first save since May 21 with a dominant effort, as he fired 15 of 21 pitches for strikes. Alvarado is putting together a strong season, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 27.1 innings and blowing only one save chance so far, but the Phillies' tendency to play matchups in high-leverage spots keeps him from being an elite fantasy closer, as Jeff Hoffman (five saves) and Gregory Soto (two saves) are also in the ninth-inning mix.

Helsley earned the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Astros, recording a pair of strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning.

Helsley's now delivered back-to-back scoreless innings, striking out four in that span, after allowing four runs in his previous three appearances. The 29-year-old Helsley is now the first in the majors to reach to 20-save mark. His ERA is down to 2.33 with a 1.07 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB across 27 innings this season.

Matsui (3-2) took the loss against the Angels on Tuesday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks without retiring a batter.

Adam Mazur gave San Diego six innings of one-run ball in his MLB debut, but Matsui wasn't able to keep the game tied upon entering in the seventh. The lefty reliever issued two walks around an infield single to load the bases, and all three runners came around to score after his departure. The rough outing came two days after Matsui blew a save opportunity against the Royals, giving up three runs while retiring just one batter as the ninth-inning option of choice while regular closer Robert Suarez -- who had pitched on consecutive days -- was unavailable. Prior to the pair of ugly appearances, Matsui held a solid 2.88 ERA, but that mark now sits at 4.97.

Diaz (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Brooklyn on Thursday.

Diaz threw a successful bullpen session Tuesday and has now been cleared to test things out in a game setting. He is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list on June 11 when the Mets return home from London. Barring a setback, Diaz should be ready to go that day. Whether he is used as the closer right away upon his return is unclear, as Diaz's struggles prior to getting hurt had led to him sharing save chances with others.

The Mets transferred Fujinami (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for catcher Joe Hudson, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. Fujinami has been out all season with a right shoulder strain and is expected to remain out until after the All-Star break.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Pagan (triceps) will be activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

He will have missed just over the minimum 15 days with a right triceps issue. Pagan has posted a 4.19 ERA, but also a 25:7 K:BB across 19.1 innings out of the Reds' bullpen in 2024.

The Brewers optioned Junk to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Junk was called up from Triple-A on Saturday but didn't make any appearances out of the Milwaukee bullpen before being sent back to Nashville. He's made some starts with Nashville this season and could be thrust into the rotation as he rejoins the affiliate after the Brewers recalled two of Triple-A club's starters (Aaron Ashby and Tobias Myers) on Wednesday.

Nunez struck out one in 1.1 perfect innings of relief Tuesday to record his second hold of the season in a win over the Nationals.

Making his eighth career MLB appearance, the right-hander provided the Mets' beleaguered bullpen with some crucial high-leverage help. Nunez is in his third stint this year on the big-league roster, but he might stick around for good this time around -- through 11.2 innings he sports a 2.31 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB. With Edwin Diaz (shoulder) still sidelined and Reed Garrett, Adam Ottavino and Jake Diekman all struggling, it's not out of the question that Nunez will get added to the saves mix in the short term.

Walston did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings.

Walston didn't have his best stuff, evidenced by his four walks, but was able to keep the Giants at bay after the Diamondbacks got out to a 3-0 lead. Walston had a full count on six of the first nine hitters he faced and needed 50 pitches to get through two scoreless frames. The Giants eventually got a run across in the fourth and another in the fifth after Kevin Ginkel was unable to strand one of the two runners he inherited. Walston now owns a 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB over 12.2 innings. The 23-year-old figures to get at least another look in the rotation while Zac Gallen (hamstring) makes his way back from injury. Walston lines up to face the Padres on the road this weekend.

Sewald earned the save Tuesday against the Giants. He plunked a batter but struck out two and did not allow a hit in the ninth inning.

Sewald was presented with a save opportunity after Mike Yastrzemski made it a three-run ballgame with his home run in the eighth. He began by hitting Thairo Estrada but faced no threat after that. He has not given up a run since his first appearance of the season and has allowed just three hits total while converting all six save chances. For the year, the 34-year-old boasts an 0.96 ERA, 0.43 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB in 9.1 innings.