MLB Player News

Varland (3-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits in the ninth inning as the Blue Jays fell 3-1 to the Yankees. He struck out one.

Brought in for the top of the ninth inning in a 1-1 tie, Varland couldn't get the game to extras as Cody Bellinger led off the frame with a single before Paul Goldschmidt hooked a game-winning two-run homer to left field. It was the first long ball Varland has served up all year, and one stumble isn't going to cost him his spot as Toronto's closer. On the season, the right-hander sports a 0.96 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB through 37.2 innings, and he's a perfect 12-for-12 in converting save chances.

Duran tossed a perfect inning and earned the save in Saturday's win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

Duran is on the verge of reaching at least 20 saves for the fourth consecutive season, and he should be able to hit that mark before the All-Star break. One of the best closers in the National League, Duran has gone 18-for-19 in save chances while posting a 1.90 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 23.2 innings and 25 appearances this season.

Bednar struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 14th save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Blue Jays.

The Yankees closer got Andres Gimenez and Nathan Lukes to flail away at splitters, while he fanned George Springer on a 97.5 mph fastball. Bednar held a 5.14 ERA on May 18, but since then he's reeled off seven straight scoreless appearances, allowing just two hits in 7.2 innings with an 11:3 K:BB over that span to lower his ERA to a more palatable 3.77.

Brown (3-2) allowed one run on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings to earn the win over the Giants on Saturday.

Brown pitched fairly well, and the Giants weren't able to capitalize often on their consistent traffic on the bases. The right-hander threw 54 of 86 pitches for strikes in this outing. He's allowed one run or fewer in six of his seven starts this season, adding a 37:11 K:BB across 36.1 innings in those games. Overall, he has a 1.74 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 61:19 K:BB through 62 innings over 19 appearances. Brown's next outing is projected to be at home versus the Blue Jays. He's provided some much-needed stability to an injury-ravaged rotation and looks to have done enough to stay in the unit once Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) is ready to return.

Alvarado struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Rockies.

Alvarado has earned a save in each of his last two outings, putting himself firmly in the mix in the Athletics' closing committee. He's pitched 5.1 scoreless innings since returning to the big-league roster June 5. He's at a 5.40 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB through 15 innings while adding two saves and four holds. Alvarado has momentum in an unsettled bullpen, so he's worth a look for fantasy managers chasing saves.

Jax (1-5) allowed one unearned run on five hits and struck out five without walking a batter over five innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Angels.

The Angels were able to run up the score against the Rays' bullpen, leaving Jax with an unfortunate loss despite a strong showing. He threw 44 of 63 pitches for strikes and completed five frames for the second start in a row. For the season, Jax has a 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB over 44 innings across 20 appearances (nine starts). The right-hander is still being built up carefully after opening the campaign in the bullpen, which makes it difficult for him to pitch long enough to qualify for wins. His next outing is projected to be at home versus the Nationals.

Manaea (1-2) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six batters over six innings.

Manaea was deployed in a traditional starting role for the first time this season after working behind an opener his last two times out and as a long reliever prior to that. The southpaw gave up one run in each of the second and fourth frames, but that was the extent of the damage Atlanta managed against him. Manaea was tagged with the loss, however, since New York mustered just one run against five Atlanta hurlers. Still, this was a promising outing for Manaea, who completed six frames for the first time since the 2024 campaign. Given this performance, it seems likely he'll continue to be rolled out as a starter, though he's lined up for a tough matchup on the road against the Phillies his next time out.

Iglesias notched a save against the Mets on Saturday, allowing a hit and issuing one walk while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

It wasn't exactly an easy outing for Iglesias, who entered in the ninth inning with Atlanta up by two runs. The veteran closer allowed a leadoff double to Juan Soto and then put the tying run on base when he walked Marcus Semien with one out, but Iglesias was able to escape unscathed by getting Francisco Alvarez to ground into a double play. That allowed Iglesias to remain perfect in save chances with a 14-for-14 mark on the season. He's gone 9-for-9 while racking up a 16:4 K:BB over 14.2 frames since returning from a stint on the injured list in early May.

Santillan notched a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday with no strikeouts in a perfect inning of work.

Santillan faced a stiff test when he entered in the ninth inning, as he was summoned to protect a one-run lead against the heart of Arizona's lineup. The right-hander passed with flying colors, retiring the side in order on three groundouts while throwing 10 of 14 pitches for strikes. It was Santillan's first save since May 19, and he's the only pitcher on the team to have multiple saves (three) this season aside from the injured Emilio Pagan (hamstring). Pagan figures to retake the closer role once healthy, but until then Santillan seems to be at the head of Cincinnati's closer committee.

The White Sox signed Guerra to a minor-league contract Saturday.

Guerra spent the previous two seasons in Japan but signed with Atlanta over the winter. He failed to make the team out of spring training and was roughed up for a 5.68 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 17:20 K:BB across 25.1 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett before he was cut by Atlanta earlier this week.