MLB Player News

Kopech picked up the save over the Orioles on Wednesday, striking out two over a perfect ninth inning.

Kopech entered the contest with a 6-4 lead in the top of the ninth and retired the first two batters on strikes before getting Adley Rutschman to pop out to second for the final out of the game. The save was the right-hander's 12th of the season and the third in his last six appearances. Kopech has only allowed one run in 12.1 innings (12 appearances) this month, posting a 0.76 ERA in August to go along with a 16:3 K:BB. He's also recorded two strikeouts in back-to-back appearances and in three of his last four overall.

Miller gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 9-6 win over the Reds. He struck out two.

He made things interesting by putting two runners aboard with one out, but Miller then fanned Amed Rosario and Will Benson to wrap things up. The right-hander has converted all eight of his save chances in August, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB over 11.1 innings as he puts the finishing touches on a dazzling first season as Oakland's closer.

Hendriks (elbow) walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

The organization appears to be setting up Hendriks for late-inning work once he's ready for activation. His first three rehab outings came in the fifth and sixth innings, while Wednesday's was in the eighth for the WooSox. He'll pitch again Friday and is trending toward a return in the first or second week of September.

Martinez picked up the save over the Mets on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Martinez entered the contest in the top of the ninth, right after Arizona had just taken a three-run lead on an eighth-inning rally. He then needed just nine pitches to retire the side and secure his seventh save of the campaign. The right-handed reliever has now converted each of his last seven save opportunities, all of which have come in August. Martinez has also recorded at least one strikeout in six-consecutive outings and in 11 of 12 appearances this month.

Diaz (5-3) blew the save and was charged with the loss against Arizona on Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on one hit and two walks over one-third of an inning.

Diaz took over for Phil Maton with two outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the eighth and proceeded to walk the first two batters before surrendering a grand slam to Corbin Carroll. This would put Arizona on top 8-5, leading to the right-hander suffering a second loss in his last two appearances. It marked Diaz's sixth blown save of the season and his first since July 7 against the Pirates. He's now allowed a home run in back-to-back outings and currently holds a 6.75 ERA in August to go along with an 11:3 K:BB over 6.2 frames.

Jansen notched a save against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Brayan Bello bequeathed Boston eight scoreless innings, and Jansen was asked to finish off the shutout in the ninth. The veteran closer had little trouble doing so, throwing all six of his pitches for strikes and retiring the side in order. Jansen has converted all five of his save chances in August, giving up just two runs over nine innings and posting a 10:0 K:BB.

Finnegan earned a save against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in one inning.

Finnegan was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. He started the frame in shaky fashion, allowing a single and a walk to the first two batters he faced to bring the tying run to the plate with no outs. However, Finnegan bounced back to retire the next three batters without allowing a run to score. The save was his third in the past four days and his 34th of the season, third most in the majors.

Morgan (2-0) allowed a hit and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Royals.

Morgan has allowed five runs (four earned) over 13 innings since he was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 4. The right-hander got the job done in the sixth and seventh innings Wednesday, and he became the pitcher of record following the Guardians' seventh-inning rally. Morgan has maintained a 2.36 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over 26.2 innings in the majors this season, mainly working in a low-leverage role in Cleveland's ultra-competitive bullpen.

Williams (shoulder) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Giants.

Williams hadn't pitched in a week due to shoulder soreness. His last outing was a blown save last Wednesday versus the Cardinals that saw him walk three batters. For the year, Williams is at a 2.79 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB with six saves in seven chances across 9.2 innings. Barring any additional injury concerns, Williams is poised to be the Brewers' full-time closer over the final month of the season.

Nunez wasn't available for Wednesday's 8-5 loss to the Diamondbacks due to forearm tightness, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Nunez returned from the injured list Friday after spending nearly a month on the shelf due to a right forearm strain. He went 1.2 innings and struck out three batters during his first appearance back Saturday, but manager Carlos Mendoza said the 28-year-old reliever hasn't recovered properly from the outing and is once again experiencing forearm problems. He's considered day-to-day for now, though the Mets will likely want to take a closer look at him to determine if he'll need to make another trip to the IL.