MLB Player News

Puk walked one and struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning Sunday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the Nationals.

The Marlins removed David Robertson from the closer role this weekend, just as they did with Puk about a month ago, but rather than turn back to the southpaw in the ninth, Tanner Scott got the save chance Sunday and converted it. Puk has regained his form, however -- over 10 appearances since his last blown save July 30, he's posted a 0.93 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 9.2 innings. Should Scott falter down the stretch, Puk could get another chance to close for Miami before the season is done.

Scott earned his third save of the season Sunday after pitching a scoreless ninth inning to beat the Nationals 2-1. He allowed two hits and did not walk or strike out a batter.

Reports earlier in the day Sunday surfaced that trade deadline acquisition David Robertson was being removed from the closer role, leaving Scott as the likely candidate to take over as the team's new closer. Despite pitching Saturday as well, Scott's name was called to handle things in the ninth. He allowed two singles but got Jacob Young to ground into a double play to end the game. Scott has now posted nine straight scoreless outings dating back to Aug. 2 and is having a fantastic year with a 2.55 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 83:23 K:BB in 60 innings.

Hoeing (2-2) got the win Sunday against the Nationals after allowing one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over four innings.

The Marlins treated Sunday as a bullpen game and Hoeing entered in the second inning after JT Chargois was used as an opener. The Nationals got a run across on him with a single, a double and a sacrifice in the third, but Hoeing was otherwise dominant. His five strikeouts tied a season high, and he's allowed just two runs while posting a 9:2 K:BB in 10.2 innings since being recalled Aug. 14. It's likely he continues to occupy a bulk relief role for the Marlins with their starting depth being tested by injuries.

Helsley (forearm) resumed his rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Sunday and allowed two earned runs on three hits while striking out a batter over one inning.

Helsley had to be pulled off his initial rehab assignment just over a week ago due to continued discomfort with his right forearm, but an MRI came back clean and he's been cleared to return to game action. Though reliever gave up a couple runs Sunday, the Cardinals are concerned mainly with how he's feeling. Helsley has been out since early June and could be eased back into the closer's role once he's activated.

Beck allowed three runs on three hits and a walk over 4.1 innings in Sunday's win over Atlanta. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

Beck cruised through four scoreless frames before Atlanta put three runs on the board in the fifth inning. It was his longest outing since tossing 5.1 innings against Washington on May 10. He's registered a 5.03 ERA in 19.2 frames since the start of August. For the season, Beck owns a 3.52 ERA with a 62:19 K:BB.

Doval struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save over Atlanta on Sunday.

Doval finally snapped out of his funk with a dominant appearance. Prior to picking up his 34th save of the year Sunday, he had blown four straight chances. He coughed up six runs (five earned) while posting an uncharacteristic 4:5 K:BB during that stretch. Doval's season ERA sits at 3.04 with a 77:24 K:BB through 56.1 frames.

Phillips picked up the save Sunday against the Red Sox. He allowed one hit with no walks while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Phillips worked around a one-out single to slam the door on the Red Sox and earn the save. It was the 21st save in 23 opportunities for Phillips, who now holds a 2.34 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 55 strikeouts over 50 innings on the season.

Lawrence (4-6) earned the win in Sunday's 4-3 victory over Baltimore. He struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings.

Lawrence was called upon with two outs in the eighth to preserve a tie game. Once Colorado took the lead, he stayed on in the ninth to close out the victory. Lawrence had allowed eight earned runs in 2.1 innings over his previous three appearances, putting his role as closer on shaky ground. But this strong performance combined with his usage during a crucial juncture of the game suggests that he remains the Rockies' closer for the time being.

Blach did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings against the Orioles. He struck out seven.

Blach wiggled his way out of a based-loaded jam in the fourth to keep the Orioles scoreless, then allowed a solo home run to Cedric Mullins in the fifth, which was the only blemish against him. Otherwise, Blach consistently kept the O's off the basepaths in throwing seven high-quality innings. It was the longest outing of the year for Blach, who needed only 86 pitches and left with a 3-1 lead prior to the bullpen giving up the lead in the eighth. He'll carry a decent 3.94 ERA into a scheduled home start next weekend against Toronto.

Thompson struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save against the Reds on Sunday.

Thompson was promoted from Triple-A Reno on Sunday and was thrown right into a save situation. He posted a 6.11 ERA in 17.2 innings with the Rays this season before being designated for assignment. Scott McGough threw 1.2 innings while Paul Sewald did not appear in Sunday's game.