MLB Player News

Gomez allowed two walks and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Mariners.

Gomez has collected four saves and two wins over his last eight outings, though he's posted an 8:7 K:BB across eight innings in that span. Despite the slight drama, he was able to slam the door without allowing a run, picking up his 14th save of the season in the process. Gomez has maintained a 3.26 ERA on the year despite a 1.29 WHIP and 45:25 K:BB through 49.2 innings between the Twins and the Rays, and he's yet to blow a save chance while adding six holds. His 1.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 32.1 innings with Minnesota paint a more encouraging picture of his performance, giving him decent stability in the closer role depending on how much the Twins reshape their bullpen before the trade deadline.

Fairbanks earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Mets, striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Fairbanks opened the ninth inning with a four-pitch strikeout of Marcus Semien, and the endgamer needed just three more pitches to successfully close out Friday's game. Fairbanks has converted save chances in each of his last three outings and is up to 16 saves on the season, tied with Tanner Scott and Devin Williams for seventh most in the National League. It continues a trend in the right direction for Fairbanks, though he sports a 6.55 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 34.1 innings this season.

Hicks will serve as the opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Rays, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Hicks will draw his first opening assignment of the season after pitching 13.1 consecutive scoreless innings while posting a 21:5 K:BB since June 21. He'll likely exit the game after the first inning, at which point Noah Schultz will take over as the bulk reliever.

Garcia earned the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Guardians, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Garcia was summoned to protect a three-run lead after a late surge by the Diamondbacks, and he closed the door on just seven pitches. With the club recently removing Paul Sewald from the closer role, the 26-year-old Garcia has converted consecutive save chances. He owns a 2.10 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 36:7 K:BB to go along with 13 holds and three saves across 30 innings this season and appears to be the favorite for ninth-inning duties so long as he continues to pitch well.

Varland earned the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Cardinals, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a walk or a strikeout.

Varland was brought in for the save opportunity after the Blue Jays took a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning. He allowed a single to Masyn Winn but secured the save by getting both of the next two Cardinals batters out. He's converted all 24 of his save chances this season and has a 0.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 53:14 K:BB across 47 innings.

The Dodgers designated McDermott for assignment Friday.

McDermott will end up as the roster casualty necessary to free up a 40-man spot for Cole Irvin, who was selected to the big-league roster Friday. McDermott has spent the vast majority of the 2026 campaign in the minors, posting a 4.55 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 31.2 innings between the Dodgers' and Orioles' Triple-A affiliates.

Bednar gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Cubs. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The veteran closer hadn't pitched since Tuesday after working four games in five days, and the breather seemed to do Bednar some good. Despite his recent heavy workload he hasn't blown a save since May 17, converting 13 straight chances while posting a 1.00 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB in 27 innings during that stretch. The Yankees are likely to add bullpen reinforcements at the trade deadline, but Bednar's job seems very secure.

The Dodgers selected Irvin's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

With Brock Stewart (shoulder) headed for the injured list, Irvin will come up from the minors to fill the void in the Dodgers' pitching staff. The 32-year-old lefty hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2024, but he owns a 3.49 ERA and 1.55 WHIP through 98 innings at Oklahoma City. He's worked exclusively as a starter in the minors this year but is likely to take on a long-relief role with the big club.

The Dodgers placed Stewart on the 15-day injured list Friday with a shoulder injury, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said that he believes Stewart's absence will be short term, though the right-hander will receive an MRI on Saturday to confirm he isn't dealing with a serious issue. Cole Irvin will come up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the opening in Los Angeles' bullpen.

Vest underwent elbow surgery Wednesday and will also undergo hip surgery, which will result in the 31-year-old reliever missing the rest of the 2026 season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Vest was placed on the 15-day injured list July 1 with what was initially diagnosed as right elbow inflammation. However, further tests revealed a stress fracture in the right elbow that required surgery, and with a hip procedure on tap, the veteran reliever will be sidelined for the rest of the 2026 campaign. Vest will end his season with a 6.08 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, seven holds, two saves (in seven chances) and a 27:10 K:BB across 26.2 innings.