MLB Player News

Mey gave up two hits and struck out four over 2.2 scoreless relief innings in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Nationals. He didn't walk a batter.

All the scoring had already occurred by the time Mey took the mound to begin fifth inning in a bullpen day for the Reds, but the 25-year-old right-hander did what he could to keep the door open for a potential comeback. It was Mey's first big-league action since June 5, and also the first time in eight MLB appearances this season that he didn't issue a free pass. Control remains his biggest hurdle to a more prominent role -- he's got an 18:10 K:BB in 11.1 innings for Cincinnati in 2026 -- but Mey's upper-90s sinker and wipeout slider give him a sky-high ceiling if things begin to click.

Gomez struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to collect his 16th save of the season in Friday's 8-6 win over Milwaukee.

Gomez began the frame with a six-pitch strikeout of Jake Bauers and needed just six more pitches to collect the final two outs of the game. He's now tallied a save in back-to-back games and still seems to be the team's preferred closer despite the addition of Jeff Hoffman at the trade deadline.

Mlodzinski (6-4) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on seven hits and a walk over three innings as the Pirates were downed 6-4 by the Mets. He struck out one.

A three-run homer by Marcus Semien in the third inning was the big blow off Mlodzinski, who was making his first start since May 25. The right-hander did get stretched out to 63 pitches (40 strikes), and while he sports a 3.51 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 77:32 K:BB through 97.1 innings over 26 appearances (10 starts) on the year, he'll need better results to stick around in the rotation as the replacement for Mitch Keller (arm). Mlodzinski will get another chance to show he can handle the job on the road next week in Miami.

Hader struck out one in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Padres.

Hader was tasked with protecting a three-run advantage and faced little resistance in locking down Houston's victory. The left-hander retired all three batters he faced while recording one strikeout, needing just eight pitches to finish the job. Hader is now a perfect 16-for-16 in save opportunities this season and owns a sparkling 1.08 ERA with an 0.80 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in just 25 frames across 27 appearances. The veteran not only remains firmly entrenched as Houston's closer, but he also ranks among the most reliable fantasy options at the position.

Abreu (4-3) walked one and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Padres.

Abreu entered with two outs in the seventh and Houston holding a 5-3 advantage, and he recorded four outs without allowing a hit. The right-hander worked around a walk and struck out two before handing things over to Josh Hader for the ninth. Despite a 4.29 ERA, Abreu remains one of Houston's primary high-leverage options ahead of Hader, and he's been on a roll of late. This was his 11th straight scoreless outing, a stretch in which he's posted a 0.64 WHIP and a 15:4 K:BB across 11 innings.

Rogers recorded his fourth save of the season in Friday's 5-4 win over the Phillies, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks in the ninth inning. He didn't strike out a batter.

With Louis Varland unavailable after working the prior two days, Rogers got the call in the ninth to protect a 5-2 lead and very nearly blew it. The submarining right-hander loaded the bases with nobody out on two walks and a catcher's interference call, but after an RBI grounder from Trea Turner and an infield single by Bryce Harper, Rogers was able to escape the jam on a couple strong defensive plays -- including one of his own, when he covered first base to get the final out. It's just the second time in 15 appearances since June 27 that Rogers has been tagged for any runs at all, and on the season he sports a 1.73 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 27:17 K:BB through 52 innings with one win and 23 holds in addition to his saves.

Alexander (3-2) allowed one hit while striking out one over two-thirds of a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday against Baltimore.

Alexander took over for Nathan Eovaldi with one out in the sixth and prevented the Orioles from adding to their 1-0 advantage, retiring two of the three hitters he faced. Texas then moved ahead on Joc Pederson's two-run homer in the bottom half of the inning, putting Alexander in position for his third win of the campaign. The left-hander owns a 3.20 ERA and continues to operate as a versatile piece of the Rangers' pitching staff, though his role doesn't provide much appeal in standard mixed leagues. He has a 3-2 record and 11 holds while converting four of six chances in 2026.

Latz allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three over two scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 2-1 win over Baltimore.

Latz was asked to protect a one-run advantage for the final two frames and ultimately converted his 22nd save of the season, though the ninth inning provided some drama. Baltimore put the potential tying run in scoring position before Christian Franklin singled to right, but Brandon Nimmo threw Leody Taveras out at the plate. Latz clinched the save by striking out Christian Encarnacion-Strand to end the game. Latz has been reliable all season long for Texas, posting a 1.87 ERA and converting 22 of his 25 save chances.

Lovelady (triceps) threw a light bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Lovelady won't be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until Aug. 28, but he could have a shot at returning on or around that date now that he's reached the point in his rehab that he's been able to get back on a mound. Before hitting the shelf June 29 due to a left triceps strain, Lovelady had notched four saves and nine holds while pitching to a 3.91 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 27 appearances for Washington.

Thielbar allowed two runs on three hits while retiring just one batter in relief during Friday's 6-4 win over the Royals.

After seven strong innings from new Chicago starter Kevin Gausman in which he allowed just two runs, Thielbar quickly ran into some trouble in the eighth. The lefty got the hook before Trent Thornton finished out the frame to earn a hold. Thielbar has been struggling recently with a 17.18 ERA across his last five appearances, which has pushed his overall ERA up to 5.30. With Thornton, Jacob Webb and Ryan Zeferjahn all seemingly ahead of him in the bullpen pecking order, and Daniel Palencia (elbow) expected back soon, Thielbar doesn't have much fantasy appeal at the moment.