MLB Player News

Fluharty will serve as the Blue Jays' opener in Friday's game against the Yankees, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Spencer Arrighetti (foot) is expected to come off the 15-day injured list and work in bulk relief behind Fluharty, who has been been in a groove in August. Over 11 appearances on the month, Fluharty has tossed eight scoreless innings while yielding no hits and two walks.

Burke (5-5) was charged with the loss and a blown save Thursday against St. Louis, allowing six unearned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out one.

Reds manager Terry Francona eschewed using closer Emilio Pagan for a second straight day, instead bringing in Burke to close out a one-run lead to begin the top of the ninth inning. Burke was on the verge of getting the job done, but an error on a routine fly led to six unearned runs. Pagan had thrown 19 pitches Wednesday, and Francona may have considered the team's top closer unavailable, but his decision to turn to Burke may also have been matchup-based -- top right-handed setup man Pierce Johnson hasn't pitched since Monday but went completely unused in the contest.

Pagan was not used to protect a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning of Thursday's 10-9 loss to the Cardinals.

Manager Terry Francona opted for southpaw Brock Burke instead of Pagan to close out the game, after the veteran righty had thrown 19 pitches the night before. The top of the ninth turned into a nightmare, as an error on a routine flyball, along with three walks and a HBP from Burke, lead to six unearned runs for the Cardinals. If Pagan is currently unable to pitch on back-to-back days, it could open up save opportunities for other Cincinnati relievers, but Burke's usage Thursday may also have simply been matchup-based -- top right-handed setup man Pierce Johnson, who hasn't pitched since Monday, went completely unused in the contest.

Latz earned a save against the Nationals on Thursday, walking one batter and striking out three in a scoreless inning of work.

Latz inherited a two-run lead when he entered in the ninth frame and worked around a one-out walk to finish off the shutout. Outside of the batter he walked, Latz needed just 10 pitches to strike out three hitters, and five of his 16 total pitches were whiffs. The 30-year-old entered 2026 with just one career MLB save to his name, but Latz has emerged as one of MLB's top closers this season, converting 25 of 28 save opportunities while posting a 1.74 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 61:16 K:BB over 57 innings spanning 45 appearances.

Yarbrough earned a save against the Orioles on Thursday, striking out four batters over three perfect innings.

Yarbrough entered in the seventh frame with the Yankees up 5-1. He didn't allow Baltimore to even sniff at a comeback, retiring all nine batters he faced while tying a season high with four punchouts. It was the fifth three-inning outing of the season for the veteran lefty, and he's earned a save in three of those appearances. With that in mind, there's no reason for fantasy managers to speculate on Yarbrough getting additional saves despite the fact that the three he has notched is a career-best mark for a single season.

Megill earned the save in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Mariners, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Megill was called on to face the heart of the Mariners' order in the ninth inning and retired the side on 13 pitches. It continued a strong second half for the 32-year-old, who's allowed only one earned run while locking down nine saves through 13 appearances since the All-Star break. For the season, he's 23-for-25 in save chances to go along with a 2.39 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 55:12 K:BB across 49 innings.

Iglesias earned the save in Thursday's 2-0 win over the White Sox, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Iglesias was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on 12 pitches. The 36-year-old has posted a 7.04 ERA through eight appearances in what has been a shaky August, but he's still converted three of four save chances. On the year, he's 26-for-29 in save opportunities to go along with a 3.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 51:14 K:BB across 46.2 innings.

Smith worked around two walks to earn the save in a scoreless ninth inning Thursday against the Giants. He struck out one.

San Francisco brought the potential tying run to the plate, but Smith was able to hang on and close it out for the Guardians. The star closer hasn't let in an earned run since July 12 in Miami, a streak of 12 straight outings. Through 57 innings this year, Smith boasts a 2.21 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 80:20 K:BB with 32 saves in 37 chances.

The Angels recalled Peralta from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Peralta has given up five earned runs over 5.2 major-league innings this season, but he'll be welcomed back into the Angels' bullpen in order to make up for the loss of Samy Natera (back). Peralta isn't likely to see much work outside of low-leverage situations.

The Angels placed Natera on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Monday, with lower-back spasms.

Natera hasn't appeared in game since Aug. 11, though his back didn't begin to bother him until Saturday. He'll now be forced to remain on the sidelines through the end of the month, which will allow Ben Joyce to continue working as the Angels' premier high-leverage reliever. Sammy Peralta was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.