MLB Player News

Fulmer did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over two innings against the Cardinals. He struck out two.

Fulmer didn't give the Cubs the start they'd hoped for, surrendering a leadoff home run to Lars Nootbaar on the very first pitch of the game. He also gave up a single and a walk in the inning but was able to work his way out of the jam and added two strikeouts in the second before being relieved by Drew Smyly to open the third. The right-handed reliever had not allowed a hit in three straight appearances coming in and now holds a lousy 9:7 K:BB in July.

Englert (4-3) took the loss in Saturday's 14-3 loss against San Diego. He allowed nine runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out one over 2.1 innings.

After a rain delay knocked out starter Matt Manning, Englert was handed the ball to start the third inning and immediately got into trouble. He served up an RBI double to Juan Soto and then a three-run homer to Manny Machado in back-to-back at-bats to set off a miserable appearance. The outing spoiled what has otherwise been a solid rookie season for Englert, ballooning his ERA from 4.19 to 5.46 and giving him his third loss of the campaign.

Murphy is expected to be deployed as a bulk reliever behind opener Brennan Bernardino in Sunday's game against the Mets at Fenway Park, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Heading into the weekend, Nick Pivetta looked like the top candidate to work in bulk relief Sunday after he struck out 13 over six innings out of the bullpen Monday against Oakland. However, after Pivetta tossed a 15-pitch scoreless inning in Saturday's win, he still projects to be available Sunday but probably won't be asked to cover more than inning or two. With that in mind, Murphy -- who last pitched Tuesday and covered 4.2 scoreless frames -- profiles as the Boston pitcher likely to work the longest behind Bernardino, who isn't expected to work more than once through the order, if that. Murphy could thus make for an under-the-radar streaming option in deep leagues for fantasy managers hoping to scoop up a cheap win.

Pivetta struck out a batter over a perfect seventh inning Saturday in the Red Sox's 8-6 win over the Mets.

After striking out 13 over six innings out of the bullpen Monday against the Athletics, Pivetta had been expected to serve as a bulk reliever in Sunday's series finale with the Mets. Instead, the Red Sox opted to work Pivetta back into the mix a day early, with the right-hander tossing 15 pitches en route to retiring the side. According to Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican, Pivetta is still expected to be available out of the bullpen Sunday, though Chris Murphy profiles as the most likely option to serve as a bulk reliever behind opener Brennan Bernardino.

Bernardino will serve as the Red Sox's opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Mets at Fenway Park, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bernardino will get his fourth turn as an opener after thriving in that capacity on the previous three occasions. Over those three "starts," Bernardino has covered 5.1 innings while striking out seven and allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk. He'll likely work one or two innings Sunday before giving way to the bullpen, with Chris Murphy representing the most likely option to serve as a bulk reliever.

Topa gave up a run on three hits while striking out one in the ninth inning of Saturday's 9-8 win over the Blue Jays, recording his second save of the season.

Paul Sewald had pitched Thursday and Friday, while Andres Munoz and Matt Brash had both worked earlier in Saturday's contest, leaving Topa to get a rare save chance. The right-hander got the job done, although he got tagged for his first earned run in nearly a month while doing so. Topa has been a solid addition to the Seattle bullpen this season, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB through 38 innings while collecting 14 holds and a win in 42 appearances in addition to his two saves.

Lawrence picked up the save in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Marlins, allowing one walk over a scoreless inning.

Lawrence entered the game with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and got Joey Wendle to ground out to open the inning before issuing a free pass to Yuli Gurriel. The right-handed reliever quickly made up for the walk, however, forcing Jon Berti to ground into a double play on the first pitch of the next at-bat to end the contest. It marked Lawrence's seventh save this season and his seventh straight appearance in which he did not allow a run.

Williams picked up a save against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three batters over one scoreless inning.

Williams didn't have much margin for error when he entered in the ninth frame, as the Brewers held just a one-run lead. The right-hander allowed a one-out single that quickly came back to haunt him when pinch runner Forrest Wall proceeded to steal second and third base, and Williams issued consecutive two-out walks to load the bases. However, he was able to escape the jam by getting Ozzie Albies to strike out swinging on a changeup. Williams thus converted his seventh consecutive successful save opportunity, and he's not allowed a run while posting a 14:3 K:BB over 6.2 innings during that stretch.

Clase earned a saved over the Phillies on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

In a game that featured very little offense, Clase was tasked with ensuring that a 1-0 lead held up for Cleveland in the ninth frame. The talented closer was up to the challenge, needing just seven pitches (six strikes) to retire the side in order. Clase went through a rocky stretch in late June and early July, but he's bounced back with five consecutive scoreless outings during which he's notched three saves and given up just one hit while posting a 5:1 K:BB over five innings.

May walked two and struck out two in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Astros.

May put two on with one out, but he was able to escape trouble with a flyout and a strikeout. This was his third consecutive scoreless outing, his most in a row since May 27-June 9, when he had six such efforts. The 33-year-old is up to nine saves with a 4.73 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 23:23 K:BB through 26.2 innings.