MLB Player News

Jax allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in an 8-7 win over the Athletics in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Jax hadn't logged a save since May 10, but he received the opportunity to do so Sunday after Jhoan Duran closed out the matinee game. While the two relievers initially shared closing duties early in May, Duran has been the Twins' main closer for about a month while Jax has settled into a setup role. Jax has been excellent all year with a 2.30 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 43:8 K:BB with six saves, 12 holds and two blown saves over 31.1 innings.

Duran retired the only batter he faced to earn the save in a 6-2 win over the Athletics in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Cole Sands left two runners on with two outs, but Duran was able to get Abraham Toro to ground out to end the contest. This was Duran's first save in five appearances, though he added a hold and two wins in that span. The closer is up to 11 saves, four holds, a 3.60 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and a 17:8 K:BB over 20 innings this year.

Gilbreath (shoulder/elbow) completed two bullpen sessions during the Rockies' recent road trip in St. Louis and Minnesota that ran from June 6 to 12, MLB.com reports.

Gilbreath was expected to throw another bullpen session during the Rockies' current homestand before the club decides whether he's ready to take the next step in his rehab program: facing hitters. The southpaw reliever is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and had previously made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Albuquerque on April 23 before being pulled off the assignment after experiencing shoulder discomfort. He could be ready to resume the rehab assignment by the end of June if he avoids any further snags in his recovery while he continues the ramp-up process.

Phillips picked up the save Sunday against Kansas City, allowing one walk with no strikeouts across a scoreless ninth inning.

Phillips corralled his second save since being reinstated from the 15-day IL on May 31, increasing his season total to 10 saves. The 29-year-old hasn't allowed a hit in three of his four appearances in June but was tagged for three runs in a June 6 outing against the Pirates. On the year, Phillips owns a 1.93 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 18.2 innings.

Megill allowed a hit and a walk over a scoreless inning Sunday, striking out one and earning a save over the Reds.

Megill ran into trouble and nearly blew the save, but Blake Perkins saved the day with a game-ending outfield assist. He's converted seven straight saves since blowing a chance against the Marlins on May 20 and is now 13 for 14 this season. Megill owns a 26:7 K:BB and a 2.14 ERA through 21 innings.

Fairbanks worked a scoreless ninth to earn the save Sunday against Atlanta. He walked one and struck out two.

Fairbanks worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth, striking out Ozzie Albies to secure his 10th save in 11 opportunities. Fairbanks' performance came on the heels of him allowing his first earned run since mid-April on Saturday, a span of 15 outings. For the season, he holds a 3.13 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 23 innings with 25 strikeouts.

Caceres underwent season-ending surgery in March to address a right lat strain, MLB.com reports.

Caceres suffered the injury in spring training and opened the season on Triple-A Salt Lake's 60-day injured list. The Angels recalled Caceres on May 9, but the move was merely procedural, as he was simultaneously placed on the big club's 60-day IL for the purpose of opening up a spot on the 40-man roster. Caceres, who made two relief appearances for the Angels in 2023, should be back to full health -- or close to it -- for the start of spring training in 2025.

Grove was diagnosed Sunday with a right intercostal strain but isn't expected to miss more than a few weeks, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Prior reports had suggested that Grove's placement on the 15-day injured list earlier Sunday was the result of a right lat injury, but his health concern is now being classified differently. While Grove could still miss more than the minimum 15 days, he'll have a chance to make it back before the Dodgers wrap up their first-half schedule July 14. Grove made 12 starts for Los Angeles in 2023 but has worked exclusively in relief for the big club this season, aside from two occasions in which he served as an opener. He's been deployed mostly in the middle innings and has accrued a 5.06 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over his 28 appearances while notching four wins and six holds.

Cano struck out the only batter he faced Sunday to earn the save against the Phillies.

Cano was called upon to clean up a bases-loaded situation with the tying run on deck and two outs in the ninth, earning his third save in the process. Cano earned the opportunity with usual closer Craig Kimbrel being rested after having pitched in each of the first two games of the series. While Cano maintains a prominent role in the Orioles' bullpen, Kimbrel has not allowed an earned run in over a month and maintains a strong hold on the closer role.

Bivens (1-0) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Angels, covering three innings out of the bullpen while striking out four and allowing one run on one hit.

After receiving his first MLB call-up earlier Sunday, Bivens ended up serving as the Giants' bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Erik Miller. Bivens entered the game in the second inning, and the only blemish on his final line was Nolan Schanuel's solo shot. The 29-year-old righty worked efficiently through his three innings, tossing 27 of 36 pitches for strikes. He had produced a 2.81 ERA through 41.2 frames with Triple-A Sacramento prior to his promotion.