MLB Player News

Brasier earned a hold against the Nationals on Friday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Brasier entered in the eighth inning to serve as the bridge to closer Evan Phillips and retired the side in order on 14 pitches. His late-frame deployment shows manager Dave Roberts' growing trust in him -- since Aug. 12, Brasier has collected five holds in nine scoreless appearances. Brasier struggled with the Red Sox early this season but has been lights-out since joining the Dodgers in June, posting a 0.86 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB over 31.1 innings while picking up seven holds, two wins and one save.

Marinaccio was called up by the Yankees on Saturday.

Marinaccio owns a 4.08 ERA in 46.1 major-league innings this season, with a 27.6 percent strikeout rate more or less canceling out an inflated 12.6 percent walk rate. He'll give the Yankees an extra bullpen option, taking the roster spot that had belonged to Luis Severino, who landed on the injured list with a side injury.

Thornton will serve as the Mariners' opening pitcher Saturday against the Rays, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Like many relievers, Thornton broke into the big leagues as a starter, but he's pitched exclusively in relief for the past three seasons, while his three "starts" in 2021 were similar opener appearances. Thornton has thrown two innings in both of his last two appearances, but he's unlikely to throw much more than that Saturday before turning the game over to Luke Weaver, who is expected to work in bulk relief.

Romano gave up a run on a hit and two walks in 1.1 innings Friday to record his 33rd save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Royals. He struck out one.

The right-hander was called in to handle a bases-loaded, two-out situation in the eighth inning, and while he quelled that rally by the Royals, Romano created his own in the ninth by walking two of the first three batters he faced before finally escaping the jam. After a string of nine straight scoreless appearances, Toronto's closer has been tagged for a run in two straight outings, but on the season he still sports a 2.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 62:21 K:BB through 51 innings, with more wins (five) than blown saves (three).

Phillips struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 22nd save of the season in an 8-5 win over the Nationals.

The right-hander needed just 11 pitches (eight strikes) to convert his 10th straight save chance, fanning Jake Alu and Carter Kieboom to wrap things up. Phillips' last blown save came in early July, and he sports a stellar 1.47 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB through 18.1 innings since the All-Star break.

Cruz allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 9-4 loss to the Cardinals.

It was wild outing for Cruz, who made his first appearances after being reinstated from the COVID-19-related list Friday. He hit the first batter faced, walked the next, then threw a couple of wild pitches.

Brebbia (3-0) allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday over the Rockies.

He kept the Giants within a run in the top of the eighth inning, and they took the lead in their half of the frame. This was Brebbia's second outing since returning from a lat strain that landed him on the 60-day injured list -- the right-hander allowed a solo home run Wednesday versus the Cubs in his first game back. He has a 3.23 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 38:10 K:BB through 30.2 innings this season. Brebbia had served as a middle reliever and occasional opener prior to his injury, so it's possible he could get some starting assignments in the coming weeks, though those would be unlikely to see him cover more than an inning or two.

Scott picked up the save Friday against Philadelphia. He allowed zero hits and zero walks while striking out one in a perfect inning.

It was Scott's fourth save in five opportunities since taking over the closer's role from David Robertson in late August. Scott has now gone 14 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run and has quietly been one of the best relievers in baseball this season, holding a 2.30 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 89 strikeouts with seven wins, 24 holds and six saves over 66.2 innings.

Doval allowed a run on two hits and struck out one over one inning to earn the save in Friday's 9-8 win over the Rockies.

Doval allowed an RBI double to Nolan Jones, but he was able to avoid fully squandering the lead. Save chances have been sparse for Doval lately, with Friday's victory being San Francisco's first win in September. The right-hander is 36-for-43 in save chances with a 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 80:24 K:BB over 59.1 innings this year.

Clase pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Angels. He did not strike out a batter.

Clase needed 15 pitches to complete the clean inning just a day after he was tagged for two runs in two-thirds of an inning in a blown save. The right-hander still leads the majors with 39 saves, but he's also blown 10 chances in a less-than-dominant campaign. He has a 3.02 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 58:15 K:BB through 65.2 innings this season.