MLB Player News

Fairbanks worked a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his 19th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The right-hander needed 11 pitches (eight strikes) to set down Toronto's 5-6-7 hitters. Fairbanks dealt with an arm issue early in the year, but since coming off the IL in mid-May he's posted a 1.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 23:8 K:BB through 28.2 innings while converting 16 of 17 save chances.

Puk (4-8) earned the win Tuesday over the Orioles, striking out three over two perfect innings.

Puk has been excellent since returning to Miami's bullpen -- the left-hander hasn't allowed a run in his last 16.2 innings, posting a stellar 0.42 WHIP while striking out 25 in that span. With Tanner Scott expected to be moved at the trade deadline, Puk would seemingly be the favorite to take over the closer role. He's lowered his ERA to 4.30 on the season with a 1.34 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB across 44 innings.

Yates picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox, striking out one batter in a perfect two-thirds of an inning.

Yates took over with the Rangers leading 3-2 after Josh Sborz yielded a solo home run to Andrew Benintendi to start the ninth frame. Yates only needed six pitches to strike out Gavin Sheets and get Eloy Jimenez to fly out, earning his 18th save of 2024. The 37-year-old hasn't blown a save this season and holds a sparkling 1.22 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 37 innings.

Diekman walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his fourth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Yankees.

Edwin Diaz was unavailable after throwing 28 pitches the night before, forcing Mets manager Carlos Mendoza to get creative in the ninth. Diekman hasn't exactly been consistent lately, posting a 9.64 ERA and 2.14 WHIP through 4.2 innings in July, but he remains the team's top high-leverage option from the left side with Brooks Raley (elbow) lost for the season.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Martin (elbow) could resume throwing this weekend, MLB.com reports.

Martin felt discomfort in the shoulder while playing catch and had his throwing program halted prior to the All-Star break. That the right-hander is making progress is significant, given the bullpen's recent performance -- it's blown five leads so far in the second half. When healthy, Martin is a key setup piece for closer Kenley Jansen.

Bido (2-1) got the win over the Astros on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out six over five innings.

Bido made his second start of the season and his first since May 8 when he debuted this year and made easy work of a tough Astros lineup. His lone mistake was serving up a solo home run to Victor Caratini in the third. Bido struggled with his control early on in the year, as evidenced by his 11 walks over his first 14.1 innings pitched this season. However, he's turned things around by issuing zero free passes over his last nine innings. Bido's five innings and six strikeouts also matched his season highs. The 28-year-old owns a 3.09 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB in 23.1 innings and could end up permanently slotting into the Athletics' fifth rotation spot with Luis Medina being diagnosed with a right elbow sprain. Should Bido get another start, it would come this weekend against the Angels.

Fernandez (1-2) was perfect over two-thirds of an inning and earned the win Tuesday over the Pirates.

Fernandez was brought into the game after Nick Gonzales' RBI single off JoJo Romero tied the score at 1-1. Fernandez was able to get pinch hitter Ke'Bryan Hayes to ground into a double play to end the eighth inning, and the Cardinals took the lead for good in the ninth. This kind of usage is a further sign that Fernandez has gained trust over the course of his rookie year. He's allowed just four runs (three earned) over 24.2 innings since the start of June and is now at a 2.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB with a save and 10 holds through 46.1 innings on the year.

Smith (5-1) struck out three over 1.2 perfect innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Tigers.

Xzavion Curry couldn't complete five innings, and Smith ended up with the win after the Guardians pulled ahead in their half of the fifth. Smith's scoreless streak is up to 9.2 innings, a span in which he has an 18:1 K:BB. For the year, he's at a 2.11 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 67:10 K:BB through 47 innings. He's added a save, 14 holds and a blown save, though he has just two holds and two wins over nine appearances in July. Smith's elite ratios make him an intriguing fantasy option even with virtually no path to saves.

Megill allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Cubs.

Pitching for the third time in four days, Megill was able to work around a leadoff single to pick up his 20th save of the campaign. The right-hander has allowed multiple runs in two of his last four outings, though those struggles are yet to cost him his share of the high-leverage duties. He's at a 2.41 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings this season. Devin Williams (back) is going through a rehab assignment at Triple-A Nashville, so Megill's run as the Brewers' closer could be nearing an end, though he's pitched well enough to potentially make this a committee situation if Williams needs to be eased in after a lengthy absence.

Stewart (shoulder) is expected to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Right shoulder tendinitis sent Stewart to the injured list May 3, and he's allowed one earned run in four innings during a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul. The 32-year-old has been phenomenal since joining the Twins in 2023, posting a minuscule 0.66 ERA and 1.07 WHIP alongside a 56:17 K:BB through 41 total innings. He'll provide a significant boost to Minnesota's bullpen once he returns, though Jhoan Duran remains locked in as the Twins' primary closer.