MLB Player News

Hader walked a batter over a scoreless inning to pick up the save in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Orioles.

Hader only threw five strikes out of the 12 pitches he needed to get through the frame. He began with a leadoff walk to Gunnar Henderson before getting a lineout and erasing the walk with a game-ending double play. Hader is now working on 11 straight scoreless appearances dating back to July 31. He's allowed just two hits and has posted a 12:4 K:BB while picking up eight saves over that span. He's sitting tied for fifth in baseball with 28 saves to compliment a 3.30 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 84:19 K:BB in 57.1 innings this season.

Hendriks (elbow) allowed one unearned run on one hit and struck out two over two-thirds of an inning for Double-A Portland on Sunday.

Hendriks made the third appearance of his rehab assignment, throwing 19 pitches (13 for strikes). The pitcher is expected to make another three to five appearances in the minors before he's evaluated for activation.

Slaten threw a bullpen session prior to Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Slaten began a rehab assignment Friday for Double-A Portland, in which he exhibited shaky command, and Sunday's session was to address those issues. Boston manager Alex Cora told MLB.com that Slaten will most likely be with the Red Sox "in the upcoming days." That could mean at least one more rehab appearance for the right-hander.

Banda allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Rays.

Banda was the closer of choice for manager Dave Roberts on Sunday and got the job done while navigating around a one-out base hit. That's Banda's second save this month and sixth straight outing without allowing a run. He's having a stellar turnaround season in his first year with the Dodgers, posting a 2.18 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB in 41.1 innings.

Suarez (8-1) got the win Sunday over the Mets after striking out one during a clean ninth inning appearance.

Suarez did his job in the top of the ninth and kept the score tied, allowing for the Padres to walk it off in the bottom of the inning and reward him with the win. He's now picked up six saves and two wins in nine appearances in August and is one save away from becoming the fourth pitcher to reach 30 saves this season. Suarez is enjoying a spectacular season, pitching to a 1.75 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB in 51.1 innings.

Diaz (5-2) took the loss Sunday against the Padres, allowing one run on one hit while striking out a batter for the only out he recorded.

Diaz came into the bottom of ninth trying to send the game to extra innings with the score tied 2-2. He struck out Jake Cronenworth to begin things, but Jackson Merrill connected on a slider and took it over the wall to walk it off for the Padres. It was Diaz's first loss since coming back from the injured list in June and the second run he's given up in 6.1 innings in August. He's only picked up one save in seven appearances this month but does have an 11:1 K:BB over that span. For the year, Diaz owns a 3.62 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 54:13 K:BB in 37.1 innings to go along with 14 saves.

Hjelle (3-4) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out one over 2.2 innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Sunday.

Hjelle was called on for a long-relief assignment after Robbie Ray left the game with a hamstring injury. Over nine appearances this month, Hjelle has allowed six runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out eight across 14.1 innings. He's at a 3.99 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 60:9 K:BB through 65.1 innings overall, and he's added four holds. Hjelle has lost his last three decisions and hasn't picked up a win since June 5.

Munoz picked up the save Sunday, walking two and striking out two during a scoreless ninth inning against the Giants.

Munoz finished off the Giants for his 19th save of the season, though it was his first save in four weeks. It was not a perfect outing for Munoz, who struggled with his command, tossing just 10 of 21 pitches for strikes while walking two. However, he also struck out two, including Mark Canha with a runner on third to end the game. Munoz has allowed four earned runs and nine total baserunners over his last four appearances but still maintains a dominant 1.80 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 63 strikeouts over 50 innings this season.

McArthur has not allowed a run over his last seven appearances, allowing just five hits while striking out eight and walking none across 6.2 innings in that span.

McArthur surrendered 11 runs (nine earned) over 5.2 innings through his first six outings following the All-Star break, converting just one of three save chances in that span. He hasn't had the opportunity to close since, with Lucas Erceg moving into the closer role since he was acquired from the Athletics via trade. McArthur has just one hold since he lost the closer job, and he's more frequently been deployed in the seventh and eighth innings in recent weeks. McArthur has a 4.62 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 40:9 K:BB over 50.2 innings while going 18-for-24 in save chances this year, and he'll likely be a second or third option for closing duties when Erceg is unavailable.

Armstrong (3-2) earned the win Sunday over the Twins, retiring both batters he faced.

Armstrong has been moderately effective in a middle-relief role since joining the Cardinals, allowing four runs over 11.1 innings across 10 appearances. He's added an 11:2 K:BB in that span. For the year, Armstrong has a 4.97 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 61:21 K:BB, one save and three holds over 58 innings between the Cardinals and the Rays. Given the success of St. Louis' high-leverage relievers, Armstrong is unlikely to move up the hierarchy.