MLB Player News

Thornton earned a save against the Mets on Thursday, retiring all three batters he faced with no strikeouts in the 10th inning.

The Cubs are without closer Daniel Palencia, who is on the injured list due to a flexor strain. Jacob Webb earned the team's first save following Palencia's injury, but he was deployed in the ninth inning Thursday and kept the game tied. After Chicago took a one-run lead in the top of the 10th, Thornton was called upon to close things out. He needed just 10 pitches to retire the side in order and notch the second save of his eight-year MLB career. The closer situation for the Cubs is hazy with Palencia out of the picture, so Thornton could be called upon again to close given his strong 2.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 17 outings this season. However, he doesn't fit the typical closer profile, as he's recorded only 10 strikeouts across 22 innings.

Chapman earned a save against the Yankees on Thursday, allowing two hits and issuing one walk with no strikeouts over one scoreless inning.

Chapman was summoned to close things out with Boston up 6-3 in the ninth inning. The veteran closer had to sweat out the save, as the Yankees loaded the bases with two outs before Chapman retired Ben Rice on a game-ending groundout. Though it wasn't easy, the outing was a bounce-back after Chapman blew his first save his last time out, when he gave up three runs without retiring a batter against the Rockies. The fireballing lefty is up to 15 saves on the campaign, tied for ninth most in the majors, and has a 1.99 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB over 22.2 innings.

Beeter blew the save Thursday against the Phillies, as he was charged with no runs while allowing no hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Beeter was charged with his fourth blown save after allowing two inherited runners to score and tie the game in the seventh inning. Washington's beleaguered bullpen is searching for answers, as it surrendered 15 combined runs in the ninth inning over this four-game series with Philadelphia. The Nationals optioned the struggling Gus Varland to Triple-A Rochester immediately following Thursday's loss, likely rendering Beeter, who has a 3.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 26:18 K:BB over 24.1 frames, as the favorite for saves while the team evaluates their high-leverage arms. Richard Lovelady could also be in the mix.

Latz secured the save Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Latz needed every bit of a 6-3 cushion Thursday, watching his scoreless streak of 12 frames come to an end. The 30-year-old left-hander should still be locked into the Rangers' closer job, as he's successfully nailing down 10 save opportunities in a row. Through 38 innings, Latz has a superb 1.89 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB while converting 15 of his 17 save chances.

De Los Santos secured the save Thursday against the Tigers, allowing one run on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

De Los Santos served up a solo home run to Dillon Dingler before letting the possible tying run get aboard, but Colt Keith grounded into a double play to end the game. Closer Josh Hader worked each of the past two days, so De Los Santos should revert back to a setup role going forward. The right-hander has a 4.79 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB over 35.2 innings while converting five of his seven save chances.

Varland was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after Thursday's 10-5 loss to the Phillies.

Varland was tagged with the loss Thursday after he entered the contest with the score knotted up at 5-5 in the eighth inning, surrendering five runs on six hits while striking out two batters over two innings. The right-hander was able to blank the Phillies in the eighth inning before he came undone in the ninth, allowing five hits, including two homers. He has now given up 11 runs over seven frames in his last six appearances, watching his ERA balloon from 4.01 to 6.25 over 31.2 innings on the year. Varland was far from the only problem in the Nationals' bullpen recently, as the team combined to allow 15 ninth-inning runs over the final three contests of their four-game set with the Phillies.

Pfaadt is not listed for a start this weekend against Tampa Bay.

Pfaadt was expected to make his return to the major-league roster and take the mound in Friday's series opener versus the Rays, but after Thursday's contest against the Cardinals was postponed, plans have evidently changed. Arizona is listing Zac Gallen, Jose Cabrera and Merrill Kelly as the probable starters for its three-game set in Tampa Bay. Pfaadt could still join the major-league rotation, but the Diamondbacks may now turn to him at some point during their three-game series at home versus the Giants that begins Monday.

Barnett earned the save in Thursday's 9-6 win over the Giants, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

It's Barnett's second save in his first eight appearances in the majors this season. The 25-year-old right-hander has quickly ingratiated himself in the A's bullpen, allowing just two runs on seven hits and seven walks while striking out 19 in his first 14.2 innings. Barnett made five starts with Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the year, where he posted a 4.64 ERA over 42.2 innings, but he's now pushing for a high-leverage role in the majors.

Kilian (2-4) took the loss and a blown save in Thursday's 9-6 loss to the A's, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Entering with a one-run lead in the ninth, Kilian gave up a lead-off single before retiring the next two A's. However, the right-hander would allow the next four batters to reach safely, ultimately surrendering four runs with two outs as he took his second blown save this season. Prior to Thursday, Kilian had turned in nine straight scoreless appearances (8.1 innings), allowing just five hits while striking out 12 in that span. He's converted five saves this season while posting a 3.97 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 40:17 K:BB across 34 innings.

The Marlins will option Brzykcy to Triple-A Jacksonville prior to Friday's game versus the Cardinals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Brzykcy was recalled to the Marlins on Monday, but did not appear in any games. It is the second time during the 2026 season that the right-hander will have been brought up by the Marlins only to go unused. A corresponding move is yet to be announced, but it is expected to be Max Meyer coming off of the bereavement list to start in Friday's series opener versus the Cardinals.