MLB Player News

Chapman struck out two in a flawless ninth inning to pick up his 11th save of the season Sunday against the Reds.

Called upon with a two-run lead in the ninth, Chapman quickly dispatched the heart of the Reds order to earn his 11th save of the season. Chapman has been outstanding since taking over the closer role from David Bednar in late August, collecting a save in each of his last five appearances. The veteran enters the last week of the season with a 3.97 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 94:39 K:BB with 22 holds while converting 11 of 16 saves.

Walker struck out one batter in a scoreless inning and earned a save over the Royals on Sunday.

Walker made his first appearance since coughing up two runs against Baltimore on Thursday. He hit MJ Melendez to start his outing Sunday but retired the next three batters to finish off the 2-0 win. Walker has converted each of his nine save chances since Camilo Doval was briefly sent to Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 9. Walker owns an impressive 1.96 ERA with a 99:17 K:BB through 78 innings this season.

Zuniga struck out the only batter he faced to earn a save against the Astros on Sunday.

Zuniga came into a 9-8 game with two outs and two runners on base after Jose Quijada struggled to close out the game. Zuniga struck out Jeremy Pena on five pitches to end the threat. It was Zuniga's second save of the year and first since April 3. He owns a 12:8 K:BB and a 4.30 ERA through 14.2 MLB innings this season.

Hader (8-8) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while recording one out Sunday. He blew a save chance and took the loss against the Angels.

Hader entered a 6-5 game in the ninth inning and couldn't finish off the win. He walked Taylor Ward with the bases loaded to tie the game before Zach Neto ripped a bases-clearing double. Hader has been streaky this season but had allowed just three earned runs since the start of August before Sunday's hiccup. His ERA jumped up to 3.67 with a 101:24 K:BB through 68.2 innings.

Suarez is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the White Sox in Chicago.

Suarez joined the rotation last week following the demotion of Caden Dana to Double-A Rocket City and the placement of Samuel Aldegheri (finger) on the injured list. While making his second start of the season last Thursday in Houston, Suarez took a no-decision while striking out five and holding the Astros to one unearned run on three hits and two walks. He could make for an attractive stream option during the final week of the season as he faces a hapless White Sox squad that has already lost 120 games.

Fitts is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

After making a spot start Sept. 13 while Tanner Houck dealt with shoulder fatigue, Fitts ended up sticking in the rotation for another turn this past Friday versus the Twins. Fitts was denied a win, but he tossed five scoreless innings in the contest and now appears to have solidified a spot as the Red Sox's No. 5 starter over Cooper Criswell, who was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday. Fitts' upcoming start Wednesday will likely mark his final outing of the season, and he'll look to end the campaign on a high note as he aims to stake a claim to a rotation spot heading into 2025.

Payamps (forearm) made relief appearances Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, covering a scoreless inning in each outing while racking up six strikeouts and allowing one hit and one walk.

Payamps exited a relief appearance Sept. 15 against the Diamondbacks due to right forearm tightness, but he quickly dispelled any concern about his health by playing catch a day later. He's since gone on to deliver three dominant appearances in a row and has yet to allow an earned run in any of his last nine outings out of the Milwaukee bullpen. Payamps will be locked into a key setup role in front of closer Devin Williams heading into the postseason.

Manager Alex Cora told reporters Sunday that Jansen is likely to be placed on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a right shoulder injury, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Jansen has been battling through a nagging right shoulder issue over the past week, and the 36-year-old closer is set to be shut down for the rest of the regular season. Chris Martin and Justin Slaten will handle the closing duties for the final games of the regular season with Jansen sidelined. Jansen finishes his second year in Boston with 27 saves while registering a 3.35 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 61:20 K:BB across 53.2 innings, and he will be a free agent this offseason.

Weaver struck out three over 1.2 perfect innings to earn the save in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Athletics.

Clay Holmes struggled in the eighth inning, but Weaver was able to escape without trouble. Weaver then stayed in for the ninth to close out the contest and earn his fourth save, all of which have come over his last seven appearances. Weaver is now at a 2.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 101:26 K:BB over 83 innings this season, and he continues to pitch in the highest-leverage moments.

Munoz (3-7) allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Rangers.

It wasn't a save situation, but Munoz wasn't able to keep the game tied at 5-5 in the ninth inning, instead taking a walk-off loss. He entered Sunday on a five-inning scoreless streak before this hiccup. Munoz has maintained a 2.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 76:26 K:BB over 58.1 innings while adding 22 saves in 27 chances and six holds this season.