MLB Player News

Melancon (shoulder) allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning Sunday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Reno.

This was the first game appearance in 2023 for Melancon, who has been out all season after being diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder back in March. It wasn't an encouraging first performance for the veteran reliever, but he's still hoping to show the Diamondbacks he's ready to rejoin their bullpen before the end of the week.

Leclerc allowed one hit but otherwise pitched a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the save over the Mariners on Sunday.

Leclerc allowed a two-out double to Eugenio Suarez but otherwise made easy work of the Mariner hitters. He's found himself in a high-leverage role over the last two weeks and has two saves and three holds in last six appearances. Before this recent stretch, Leclerc had just two saves and four holds in 48 appearances. It seems he's earned manager Bruce Bochy's trust, and rightfully so, as he now owns a 2.85 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 62:27 K:BB in 53.2 innings.

Doval (6-6) allowed an unearned run on one hit to take the extra-inning loss Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Doval gave up a walk-off single to Chris Taylor in the bottom of the 10th inning after the Giants failed to generate a run in their half of the frame. This wasn't a save situation, but it counted as Doval's second loss in his last four outings. He's allowed seven runs (two earned) over 2.2 innings in that short span. The closer has a 3.02 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 85:26 K:BB with 38 saves in 46 chances across 65.2 innings this season.

Beck allowed two runs on four hits and struck out three over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Sunday.

Beck handled bulk-relief duties behind opener Ryan Walker in this contest. This was Beck's third outing in September, and he's allowed 10 runs (eight earned) over 8.1 innings in that span. Overall, he's maintained a 4.05 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB through 80 innings across 32 appearances (two starts). Assuming Beck stays in the majors to close out the year, he'd likely be available for one more appearance in the final series of the season at home against the Dodgers.

Merryweather worked around two walks to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and secure the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Rockies. He struck out one.

Merryweather is now 2-for-3 in save opportunities this season, with both of his conversions coming in the last two weeks. The righty has apparently stepped in as Chicago's top option to close with Adbert Alzolay (forearm) out, and Mark Leiter has stayed in a setup role. Alzolay could return as soon as Tuesday, however, which would push Merryweather down the bullpen pecking order.

Finnegan allowed a run on one hit over one inning and earned the save in a 3-2 win over Atlanta in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader.

Finnegan added a little drama by allowing a solo home run to Sean Murphy, but he was able to preserve the Nationals' lead. This was Finnegan's second save in a row, and he's allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 8.2 innings in a shaky September. He's at a 3.74 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB through 67.1 innings while adding 27 saves, eight holds and eight blown saves this season.

McArthur picked up the save in Sunday's 6-5 victory over the Astros. He allowed one hit and no walks while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

McArthur appears to be part of a committee for the Royals' closer job, as he and Taylor Clarke split three saves this weekend in a sweep of the Astros (two for McArthur and one for Clarke). They have both earned preference over Carlos Hernandez, who has notched a hold in consecutive games. The 27-year-old McArthur has not allowed a run in 13.1 innings since being recalled Sept. 1. He's an intriguing fantasy pick-up for saves as the Royals finish the season against the Tigers and Yankees.

Lange allowed a hit in 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday. He struck out two and picked up a save over the Athletics.

Lange allowed a leadoff double to Shea Langeliers in the ninth inning but needed just 16 pitches to record four outs and close out the 2-0 win. Lange blew two of his previous three save chances entering Sunday's game. He now has 25 in 31 opportunities alongside a 3.84 ERA and a 76:44 K:BB this season.

Gibaut tossed a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save in Sunday's 4-2 victory over Pittsburgh.

Despite having already worked both Friday and Saturday, Gibaut was called upon Sunday to close out the game in favor of closer Alexis Diaz, who worked the eighth after he had allowed seven runs over his previous two appearances. The save was Gibaut's third of the season. With the Reds' playoff hopes now hanging by a thread and considering the recent struggles by Diaz, it will be interesting to see if Gibaut or another reliever can pose as a threat for the closer role the rest of the way.

Wantz will start Sunday's game against the Twins, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Wantz made his only start of the season Sept. 13 in Seattle and covered two scoreless frames, and he'll likely have a similar workload for Sunday's bullpen game. The right-hander has a 3.93 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB across 34.1 innings this season.