MLB Player News

Alcala allowed a hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning Saturday against Seattle. He reached a career-high 101.2 mph on the radar gun, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Alcala has been an impact setup man for the Twins since returning from his inexplicable demotions to Triple-A in May and April. Alcala has a 1.05 ERA with a 19:7 K:BB over 17.2 innings since returning to the majors in late May.

Neris earned a save against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

Neris entered in the ninth inning with Chicago holding a two-run lead and got into a bit of hot water when two of the first three hitters he faced reach base. However, the veteran reliever bounced back to strike out the final two batters of the frame. Neris secured his 11th save of the season and recorded his third straight scoreless outing. That may have helped him steady his grip on the closer role to some extent after he blew two saves and gave up seven earned runs across 2.2 frames over three appearances between June 11 and June 17.

Scott struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 12th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Phillies.

The southpaw delivered his eighth straight scoreless appearance on 12 pitches (eight strikes), and Scott has racked up four saves in four trips to the mound over the last week. The 29-year-old closer has put his shaky start to 2024 firmly behind him, and he sports a 1.50 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 38:23 K:BB through 36 innings while converting 12 of 14 save chances.

Graceffo allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings of relief in Saturday's 9-4 loss to the Reds.

Graceffo was called on for mop-up duty after an unusually poor start from Sonny Gray and an ineffective relief appearance by John King. The Cardinals' bullpen has been leaned on heavily of late, and Graceffo was called up Friday to provide length after working as a starter with Triple-A Memphis. He has a 3.84 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 70:29 K:BB over 75 innings with Memphis this year. It's unclear if the right-hander will stick around in the majors or return to Memphis after this 67-pitch appearance, which was his first in 10 days.

Kimbrel worked around two walks in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.

Kimbrel, who hadn't walked multiple batters in an outing since May 8, was able to pitch his way out of trouble. He's allowed two runs (one earned) while posting a 13:5 K:BB over 9.1 innings in June, converting six of his seven chances this month. Kimbrel is up to 19 saves with a 2.37 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 44:14 K:BB through 30.1 innings overall. Kimbrel has pitched three of the last four days, so he may not be available if a save situation arises Sunday. With Jacob Webb, Yennier Cano and Cionel Perez also having pitched Friday and Saturday, there could be an opportunity for Dillon Tate or Bryan Baker to get a look in a high-leverage spot.

Hader struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 9-6 win over the Mets.

The Astros' late comeback resulted in a save chance, and Hader converted with ease. He's picked up five saves over 11 outings in June while surrendering four runs and posting a 16:1 K:BB across 10.2 innings for the month. Overall, he's 12-for-13 in save chances with a 3.68 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 59:11 K:BB through 36.2 innings this season, with the Astros' mediocre play being the main reason for his reduced saves total, though the team is trending up by going 9-2 over the last two weeks.

Sewald struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Athletics.

Sewald has picked up saves in four straight appearances and in seven of his 10 outings in June. The closer has been virtually untouchable this month, allowing two hits, two walks and two hit batsmen while striking out six over 8.2 innings. He's a perfect 11-for-11 in save chances with a 0.57 ERA, 0.51 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 15.2 innings overall.

Trivino (elbow) has resumed throwing from a mound, per MLB.com.

Trivino was shut down from his throwing program in late April due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right elbow, though doctors confirmed via imaging that the reliever hadn't suffered any new damage to his UCL. The right-hander is making his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in early May of 2023, and he isn't expected to be back in the Yankees' bullpen until after the All-Star break.

Dubin will start Sunday against the Mets in what's expected to be a bullpen day for the Astros, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Dubin hasn't covered more than three innings in any of his appearances in the majors and minors this season, so that likely represents the upper bound of his workload as he takes the hill for what will be his second MLB career start. The Astros don't have an obvious candidate to work in bulk relief behind Dubin, but the team could call up a pitcher from Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of Sunday's contest to provide the bullpen with another fresh arm.

Hamilton (lat) has been rehabbing but hasn't yet resumed throwing, per MLB.com.

Hamilton landed on the injured list June 18 due to a mid-grade right lat strain. Initial expectations were that he would be shut down from throwing for 3-to-4 weeks, so it's not surprising that the reliever hasn't yet reached that part of his rehab. Hamilton isn't likely to return to the Yankees' bullpen until after the All-Star break.