MLB Player News

Sborz struck one over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Padres.

Sborz pitched the ninth inning, his first appearance since being activated off the injured list Friday. The right-hander landed on the IL immediately prior to the All-Star break after giving up nine runs on nine hits (two home runs) and four walks over 3.1 innings. Sborz emerged as a late-inning asset during the month of June and should continue to serve in that role.

Bednar allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three across 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save Saturday against the Phillies.

Bednar entered the game in the eighth inning with runners on first and second, but he struck out the final two batters of the inning to work out of the jam. He allowed two baserunners in the final frame but managed to induce a game-ending double play. Bednar has now allowed multiple baserunners in each of his last three outings, though he's still allowed only one earned run across 10.1 innings in July while maintaining a 15:8 K:BB.

Atlanta optioned Hearn to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Hearn was moved off the 26-man active roster to clear room for right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who was called up from Gwinnett ahead of his spot start Sunday versus the Brewers. After being acquired from Texas on Monday, Hearn made his Atlanta debut out of the bullpen in Saturday's win over the Brewers and was lit up for four earned runs on two hits and two walks while recording just one out.

Lange tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Marlins. He struck out one.

It wasn't a save situation, but the Tigers still used Lange, who hadn't pitched since Tuesday. The righty has now logged five straight appearances without allowing an earned run. He had allowed five earned runs over his five prior games, so this recent stretch is a step in the right direction. Lange should remain locked in as Detroit's closer, especially if he can keep up his recent level of performance.

Ginkel (4-0) struck out three over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win over Seattle on Saturday.

Ginkel entered a tie game to begin the eighth inning and struck out the side before the Diamondbacks took the lead in the bottom of the frame. It looked like he'd finish the game, but manager Torey Lovullo pulled Ginkel after he quickly retired the first batter in the ninth. Andrew Chafin was brought in to nail down the save, but he allowed a triple and a walk before Scott McGough recorded the final out. After the game, Lovullo lamented to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic what he termed "overmanaging" in using more relievers than was necessary. "I'm trying to get everybody involved, get people in a game and get them on a roll," he said. With several members of the bullpen struggling of late -- including Chafin and McGough -- Ginkel has been rolling and has emerged as Lovullo's go-to late-inning arm.

Brieske did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three hits over two scoreless innings against the Marlins while striking out two.

Brieske allowed a leadoff single to Luis Arraez to open the bottom of the first but managed to retire the next three batters, two by way of strikeout. The right-hander would come back out to pitch a scoreless second inning before being relieved by Joey Wentz to open the third. Brieske has not allowed a run in four of his six appearances this month and has issued just one walk over that six-game stretch while notching seven strikeouts.

Barlow gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 13th save of the season in a 10-7 win over the Twins.

The right-hander rebounded from his third blown save of the season in impressive fashion, fanning Alex Kirilloff and Jorge Polanco en route to his fourth save in July. Barlow's recent stumbles have left him with a 5.35 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB through 38.2 innings on the season, but his high-leverage experience could still make him an attractive target for a contender at the trade deadline.

Doval (3-3) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one over one inning, taking a blown save but picking up the win Saturday versus the Red Sox.

Doval gave up a two-run, game-tying single to Justin Turner in the top of the ninth inning, but J.D. Davis's walk-off solo home run lifted the Giants to the win. Doval had pitched seven consecutive scoreless innings entering Saturday. Despite the misstep, the closer has a 2.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 63:19 K:BB through 47 innings while converting 31 of 34 save chances this season.

Phillips allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Reds.

Phillips had not received a save chance since he blew one July 4. His strong showing Saturday extended his scoreless streak to 5.2 innings over his last six appearances. Ryan Brasier and Alex Vesia each picked up a save this month, making the back end of the Dodgers bullpen a tricky one to forecast over the remaining two months. Phillips is still in the closer committee, as is Brusdar Graterol, though the recently re-acquired Joe Kelly could also enter that mix. Phillips has a 2.21 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 47:9 K:BB through 40.2 innings this season while adding 13 saves and six holds.

McGough earned a save against Seattle on Saturday, striking out the only batter he faced to close out the contest.

Kevin Ginkel -- who had picked up each of Arizona's previous three saves -- was deployed in the eighth inning Saturday and was pulled with one out in the ninth despite retiring all four batters he faced. Arizona then turned to Andrew Chafin to close things out, but he allowed two of three hitters he saw to reach base, giving McGough the opportunity to close things out. The right-hander faced a tough test in Julio Rodriguez but managed to strike him out on the eighth pitch of the at-bat. This was a nice outing for McGough after he had allowed 11 runs over his previous 4.2 frames, but while there remains a closer committee of sorts in Arizona, Ginkel remains the favorite for saves and the best Diamondbacks reliever to roster from a fantasy perspective.