MLB Player News

Iglesias gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 22nd save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Pirates.

The right-hander converted his 13th straight save chance as he continues to provide Atlanta with plenty of stability at the back of the bullpen. Iglesias has pitched three straight days, and A.J. Minter threw 15 pitches Wednesday in the eighth, so look for Kirby Yates or Joe Jimenez to handle the ninth in the series finale Thursday if there's a late lead to protect.

Pruitt did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one walk over two scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Rangers. He struck out two.

Pruitt did not allow a hit over his two innings of work, though the Rangers made him work for it, forcing 34 pitches and drawing one walk off the right-hander. He also managed to record two strikeouts for the second time in his last four appearances, and he has not allowed a run over his last nine outings (spanning 10.1 innings), posting a 9:3 K:BB over that stretch.

Nelson (5-3) was charged with the loss against the Dodgers on Wednesday. He allowed two runs on two hits and two walks and did not retire a batter.

A tense pitching duel was decided when Nelson entered a scoreless game with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. He's typically been good when finishing off innings, but the left-hander allowed a double, an intentional walk, a walk and then a two-run single to former Diamondback David Peralta. Nelson has been a trusted bullpen piece for much of the season, but he's posted a 6.43 ERA over seven innings since returning from the All-Star break.

Robertson picked up the save Wednesday against the Reds, allowing one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Robertson entered the contest with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and needed just four pitches to get through the first two batters. He then allowed a single to Stuart Fairchild before getting rookie phenom Elly De La Cruz to go down swinging to end the game and secure his 17th save of the season. It marked Robertson's third save in four attempts since joining the Marlins, and he's now recorded at least one strikeout in five straight appearances.

Balazovic allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one over two innings in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Tigers.

Balazovic had become a productive middle reliever for the Twins since his call-up in June, but he's struggled recently by allowing four earned runs in his last six innings over three appearances. He has just a 3:3 K:BB ratio over that span. Overall, he has a 3.80 ERA and two holds, but a 5.9 K/9 is well below his minor-league strikeout rates (12.8 K/9 at Triple-A this season).

Santos earned a save against the Yankees on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over two hitless and scoreless innings.

Santos recently returned from a stint on the bereavement list, and this was his first appearance since Aug. 3. The right-hander entered the game with no outs, one runner on base and Chicago holding a 5-2 lead in the eighth inning, and he worked his way through the heart of New York's order to escape without allowing any damage. When the White Sox scored four times in the bottom of the frame, it made Santos' second inning of work stress-free, and he retired the side in order to earn the save. He's emerged as Chicago's primary closer after Liam Hendriks was lost for the season with an elbow injury and both Kendall Graveman and Reynaldo Lopez were shipped out at the trade deadline.

Bickford earned a save against the Cubs on Wednesday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over a scoreless inning.

Adam Ottavino got the call from the bullpen with the Mets up 4-2 heading into the ninth inning, but he allowed a solo home run followed by a single and a walk before being pulled without retiring any batters. Bickford came to the rescue, striking out a pair and preventing the tying run from crossing the plate. As a result, he earned the second save of his career and first since joining New York in a deadline deal. The Mets' closer role is unsettled with David Robertson recently being dealt to Miami, so it's not out of the question that Bickford could get additional ninth-inning opportunities down the line.

Hicks earned a save against the Guardians on Wednesday by retiring the only batter he faced.

With Toronto clinging to a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth frame, it was Tim Mayza who got the call from the bullpen to close things out. The southpaw retired two of the three batters he faced, but the right-handed Hicks was called upon to finish the job against righty Oscar Gonzalez with two outs and a runner on first. Hicks needed just two pitches to do so, getting Gonzalez to pop out to second base. In doing so, the hurler recorded his third save in the past five days. Hicks appears to be the favorite for save opportunities among Blue Jays relievers for the time being, though Jordan Romano (back) tossed another bullpen session Wednesday and will almost certainly resume closer duties upon his return.

Phillips pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Phillips gave up two runs in an inning to earn the save Tuesday, but he was much sharper in Wednesday's outing. He needed 12 pitches (seven strikes) to finish off the shutout win with his first scoreless appearance out of three in August. Phillips is at a 2.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 47:10 K:BB while adding 16 saves and six holds over 44 innings this season.

Beck (3-1) allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two over three innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Angels.

Beck was called on with one on and no outs in the sixth inning, but he allowed three straight batters to reach base. A Mike Moustakas three-run home run at the end of that stretch put the Angels ahead for good, setting Beck up to take his first major-league loss. He's been effective in a long-relief role with a 3.03 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 47:15 K:BB through 59.1 innings over 24 appearances.