MLB Player News

Pagan struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 18th save of the season in a 10-8 win over the Cubs.

The veteran righty handled the heart of Chicago's order on an efficient seven pitches (six strikes), including a three-pitch strikeout of Ian Happ. Pagan's last blown save came back on May 4, a game in which he suffered a hamstring strain that landed him on the IL for nearly two months, and since returning at the beginning of July he's put together a 1.96 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 23:3 K:BB over 18.1 innings while converting all 12 of his save opportunities.

Hader earned the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Mets, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Hader was called in to protect a two-run lead and retired the heart of the Mets' order to slam the door. The 32-year-old is a perfect 20-for-20 in converting save chances in 2026, with his last blown save coming July 12 of last season. On the year, he owns a 0.76 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 48:11 K:BB across 35.1 innings while holding opponents scoreless in 33 of 36 contests.

Iglesias came away with the save in Friday's 6-4 win over the Rockies, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a walk or strikeout.

Iglesias was brought out for the ninth inning to protect Atlanta's two-run lead. He allowed a leadoff single to Hunter Goodman but responded by getting TJ Rumfield to ground into a double play, with Iglesias successfully closing things out after getting Willi Castro to line out. Iglesias has logged a save in each of his last five outings and is up to 29 saves on the year, which is eighth-most in the majors. He has a 2.88 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 52:16 K:BB over 50 innings this season.

Cruz earned the save in Friday's 3-0 win over the Guardians, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Cruz finished off an eight-inning gem by Michael Wacha despite allowing two singles and hitting a batter. The 27-year-old secured his first career save July 22 and has gone a perfect 6-for-6 since then despite owning a 4.08 ERA over 17 games during that span. On the season, he owns five holds and six saves to go along with a 4.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB across 51.2 innings.

Bednar earned the save in Friday's 1-0 win over Boston after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

Friday's series opener was a low-scoring affair, and Bednar was brought in for the ninth inning to protect the Yankees' one-run lead. He needed 12 pitches (eight strikes) to get the job done, though it was the first time since Aug. 7 that he failed to record a strikeout. Bednar's 31 saves are fifth-most in the majors this season, and he's eight saves shy from matching the career high that he set in 2023 as a member of the Pirates.

Sousa will serve as the opening pitcher during Saturday's game against the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Sousa gave up four earned runs while recording just one out during his last appearance Wednesday, but the Astros will trust him to work the first inning of Saturday's contest in what will be the left-hander's first career start. Cristian Javier is expected to work in bulk relief once Sousa comes out of the game.

The Diamondbacks optioned Burgos to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Burgos has pitched 1.2 shutout innings since coming up from the minors Monday, but he'll end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Kohl Drake, who was recalled from Reno to start Friday's game versus San Francisco. Burgos has now given up one run in 4.1 major-league innings this year and could still return to Arizona down the stretch to provide bullpen depth.

Armstrong (calf) threw a bullpen session Friday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Armstrong was recently cleared to begin a throwing progression, a good indication that he is recovering from a left calf strain that landed him on the injured list in late July. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on Aug. 4, but he could be back on the Guardians' major-league roster right before the end of the regular season in mid-to-late September.

The Red Sox are expected to activate Whitlock (elbow) from the injured list before one of the games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Whitlock landed on the injured list Aug. 13 with right elbow inflammation, but he's made a quick recovery and won't need to spend any time in the minors before rejoining Boston's bullpen. The 30-year-old has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career while working as the Sox's premier setup man this year, posting a 2.05 ERA and 0.89 WHIP alongside a 49:7 K:BB across 44 innings.

The Cubs placed Milner on outright waivers Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Feinsand previously reported that Milner was designated for assignment, but the 35-year-old southpaw has actually been placed on waivers, allowing another team to claim him. Milner is on the 15-day injured list after undergoing an appendectomy, but he could garner interest from a team seeking an extra left-hander for its bullpen. Milner has a 3.53 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, six holds and an 18:9 K:BB over 35.2 innings this season.