MLB Player News

Bednar allowed a run on two hits and two walks over one inning, earning the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros.

Bednar had a three-run lead to protect, but he made things hairy. He allowed three straight batters to reach with one out, then walked Yordan Alvarez with the bases loaded and two outs. Yainer Diaz's popout ended the threat as Bednar escaped with his third save over five appearances since he returned from an oblique strain. The right-hander is 19-for-22 in save chances this year despite a 4.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB over 36.1 innings.

Francis (4-2) earned the win in the second game of Monday's doubleheader versus the Orioles, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

Francis was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo earlier Monday in order to serve as Toronto's starter in the second game of the twin bill. The right-hander gave up three runs on two homers over his first two innings but managed to settle down after that, pitching into the sixth frame and falling one out shy of a quality start. Francis had come out of the bullpen for 13 of his previous 16 big-league outings this season, though he started in four of his six appearances in Triple-A and dominated with a 0.93 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB over 19.1 frames. With Yusei Kikuchi traded to Houston on Monday, Francis figures to stick in the rotation, and he's tentatively slated to face the Yankees in New York this weekend.

Hader (4-6) allowed three runs on a hit and two walks while striking out two over one inning to take the loss Monday versus the Pirates.

Hader was brought in with the game tied at the start of the ninth inning. He allowed a three-run home run to Michael Taylor, and the Astros weren't able to recover. Hader had a shaky start to July, but he had settled in with a six-inning scoreless streak that ended Monday. He's at a 4.11 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 72:15 K:BB while converting 20 of 21 saves through 46 innings.

Holmes allowed a run on three hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over five innings in a no-decision versus Milwaukee on Monday.

Making his first career start, Holmes pitched well. The lone run on his line was a Rhys Hoskins solo shot in the fifth inning, the first homer Holmes has allowed in the majors. Operating mostly as a long reliever, he has a 2.54 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 29:5 K:BB through 11 appearances. The 28-year-old right-hander is not guaranteed to remain in the rotation, as Atlanta could trade for a starter or get Reynaldo Lopez (forearm) and Max Fried (forearm) back from their injuries in early August.

San Francisco acquired Matzek (elbow) and minor-league infielder Sabin Ceballos from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for right-handed reliever Luke Jackson and outfielder Jorge Soler, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Matzek has been out early May while dealing with inflammation in his throwing elbow and isn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list until late August or early September. The left-hander has struggled to a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over 10 innings in 11 appearances out of the bullpen with Atlanta this season. Once healthy, Matzek will likely operate in a low-leverage role out of the Giants bullpen.

McArthur picked up the save in Monday's 8-5 win versus the White Sox, pitching a clean inning with no strikeouts.

The Royals right-hander entered this contest on a cold spell, having allowed nine runs (eight earned) over his previous three outings, but he swiftly retired the Chicago side on 10 pitches. McArthur now sports a 5.31 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB across 42.1 innings while going 18-for-23 in save chances this season. Given the unsteady performance, his role as the Kansas City closer may be relinquished if a more trustworthy reliever is acquired before Tuesday's trade deadline.

Atlanta acquired Jackson and outfielder Jorge Soler from San Francisco on Monday in exchange for infielder Sabin Ceballos and left-hander Tyler Matzek (elbow), Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Jackson will head back to Atlanta after spending time in the organization from 2017 through 2021, including winning a World Series title in his final season with the club. The right-hander possesses an inflated 5.40 ERA and 1.43 WHIP while striking out 33 batters over 35 innings in 36 appearances with the Giants this season. Jackson will provide Atlanta with another experienced right-handed arm out of the bullpen.

Yates earned the save in Monday's 6-3 victory over the Cardinals, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

The veteran reliever faced the 5-6-7 hitters in the Cardinals lineup, retiring them in order on 19 pitches to secure his 81st career save. Yates has been especially stingy in July so far, firing a 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB across 10 innings. The Texas All-Star has enjoyed a renaissance season, now sporting a 1.17 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 53:18 K:BB over 38.1 innings while going a perfect 19-for-19 in save chances.

Pallante (4-5) took the loss Monday against Texas, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The 25-year-old entered this outing on a roll, pitching to a 2.79 ERA across 19.1 innings in three July starts, but failed to reach the sixth for the first time this month. Pallante managed to limit the damage in this 92-pitch performance as he didn't allow a homer for the sixth time in 10 games started. However, his role in the St. Louis rotation is murky as the Cardinals acquired Erick Fedde on Monday, likely pushing Pallante into the bullpen as a middle reliever.

Pearson allowed a solo home run across 1.1 innings of relief in Monday's 7-1 loss to the Reds. He struck out one.

Pearson was making his team debut after coming over from the Blue Jays on Saturday in exchange for prospects Josh Rivera and Yohendrick Pinango. The 27-year-old righty has mostly struggled this season with a 5.66 ERA across 41.1 innings, though he does have 52 strikeouts. Pearson should settle into a middle relief role for the Cubs moving forward.