MLB Player News

Puk picked up the save Sunday against Pittsburgh, striking out one during two-thirds of a perfect inning.

Puk took over with runners on the corners and one out after Ryan Thompson yielded an RBI single to Bryan Reynolds to bring the Pirates within one run. Puk got the Diamondbacks out of the jam, retiring Oneil Cruz and Bryan De La Cruz to end the game and pick up his first save for Arizona. With Paul Sewald being removed from the closing role, it's been Thompson who's received the first two save chances. However, Thompson has allowed a run in both appearances, which could open the door for Puk to see some ninth-inning work.

Stratton (4-3) earned the win Sunday over the Tigers, striking out one in a perfect inning.

Stratton worked the eighth inning with the Royals down 2-0, and they took the lead with a three-run home run by MJ Melendez in the ninth. This was Stratton's second win in three appearances. He's allowed six runs (five earned) over 10.1 innings since the start of July, but the right-hander is still getting work in some key moments as the Royals' bullpen remains a weak spot. Stratton has a 4.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 39:27 K:BB through 45 innings while adding four saves and five holds this year.

Contreras struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

Contreras has allowed just two runs over 10.1 innings while posting a 13:2 K:BB since moving back to the bullpen July 14. He hasn't been a candidate for much high-leverage work, but he got the save chance Sunday as the only Angels reliever to pitch less than twice over the previous five days. Through 48 innings between the Angels and the Pirates this year, Contreras has a 4.13 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 46:21 K:BB, though it appears his performance has turned a corner after a poor stint in the Angels' rotation. Still, Ben Joyce and Hunter Strickland figure to be the favorites for the few save chances the Angels will generate the rest of the way.

Finnegan picked up the save Sunday's 4-3 win over Milwaukee, allowing one hit and no walks across a scoreless ninth inning.

Finnegan became the third closer to reach 30 saves, joining Emmanuel Clase and Ryan Helsley atop the MLB leaderboard. Despite yielding a leadoff single to Rhys Hoskins, Finnegan kept the Brewers from putting a runner in scoring position, getting Blake Perkins to fly out and Brice Turang to ground into a game-ending double play. In 46.1 innings, Finnegan has generated a 3.30 ERA with a 45:14 K:BB.

Bido (2-3) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Bido earned his first quality start with his longest outing of the year, but he wasn't able to dodge his second loss in a row. The right-hander avoided giving up a home run in a third straight start, but he's posted a 12:7 K:BB over his last 9.2 innings, and it will be tough for him to find steady success if his walk rate remains high. For the year, he's at a 4.64 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB over 33 innings across 10 appearances (four starts). He's tentatively projected to make his next start at Toronto.

Banda struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

Banda got the save opportunity after all of Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia and Daniel Hudson were deployed between the fifth and eighth innings. It was a drama-free experience for Banda, who needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to retire the side. Hudson, who has been the favorite for saves lately, pitched against the heart of the Athletics' order in the eighth inning. Bullpen depth has been a strength for the Dodgers this year, and Banda's been a successful part of that with a 2.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 34:14 K:BB over 33.1 innings while adding five holds and a 1-1 record. Banda is still more likely to work in low-leverage spots, but Sunday's outing is proof he can handle bigger moments.

Sammons retired all four batters he faced out of the bullpen in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Royals in 11 innings.

After tossing 7.1 innings in bulk relief in his MLB debut July 29 versus the Guardians, Sammons seemed poised to fill one of the three open spots in the Detroit rotation this week. The Tigers instead chose to deploy him in a more traditional relief role in his next appearance, as Sammons entered Saturday's contest in the top of the eighth with two outs and runners on first and second. Sammons induced a flyout to get out of the jam, then tossed a clean ninth inning to help send the game to extras.

Harvey allowed a hit during a scoreless inning and earned a save over Detroit on Sunday. He struck out one batter.

Harvey started his Royals career with some hiccups, allowing four runs in 4.2 innings entering Sunday's contest. He bounced back against Detroit, needing only nine pitches to finish the 3-2 game to earn his first save of the 2024 season. Harvey owns a 4.44 ERA with a 55:16 K:BB through 50.2 innings. Kansas City's closing situation appears to be fluid right now after James McArthur was charged with a blown save for the sixth time in Saturday's loss against the Tigers.

Fairbanks struck out two batters in a perfect inning and earned a save against the Astros on Sunday.

Fairbanks made quick work of Houston's 4-5-6 hitters, needing just 11 pitches to close out the 1-0 victory. He's riding a five-inning scoreless streak and is now 21 for 23 in save chances this season. He's converted 11 save opportunities since his last blown save June 20. Fairbanks is sporting a 2.95 ERA with a 37:16 K:BB through 39.2 innings.

The Athletics released Martinez on Monday.

Martinez opened the season on Oakland's 40-man roster, but he was designated for assignment March 31 and remained in the organization upon clearing waivers. The right-hander proceeded to turn in an 11.05 ERA and 2.36 WHIP over 22 innings with Triple-A Las Vegas before the Athletics elected to part ways with him. Martinez will look to catch on with another organization on a minor-league deal.