MLB Player News

Diaz pitched a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 28th save of the season in a 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

He needed only 10 pitches (seven strikes) to get the job done, generating three groundball outs. The Cincinnati closer sits second in the majors in saves, two behind leader Camilo Doval's 30, and since the beginning of June, Diaz has posted a 2.01 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB through 22.1 innings while converting 15 of 16 save chances.

Fairbanks picked up the save in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Orioles, tossing a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out three and issued one walk.

Fairbanks issued a one-out walk to Adley Rutschman but ultimately worked around it en route to his 11th save. The right-hander is 6-for-6 in save chances since returning from the injured list June 15, and he boasts an elite 14:4 K:BB during that stretch (9.1 innings).

Clase worked a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 26th save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Phillies.

The right-hander didn't walk or strike out a batter, instead relying on his dominant cutter -- he topped 100 mph with it five times among his 14 total pitches -- to generate weak contact. Clase has been more effective lately after some stumbles in the first couple months of the season, and since the beginning of June he's posted a 3.06 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB through 17.2 innings while converting nine of 11 save chances.

Hader picked up the save Friday against the Tigers, tossing a perfect ninth inning. He struck out one and didn't issue a walk.

Hader hasn't given up an earned run since May 31. During that stretch, he's gone 11-for-12 in save chances while striking out 23 over 16 appearances (14.2 innings). The left-hander had a few hiccups last year, but he has returned to form in 2023 and is still one of the elite bullpen arms in MLB.

Romano (4-5) allowed a run on a hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Friday versus the Mariners.

It wasn't a save situation, but Romano struggled in his second outing since returning from a back injury suffered at the All-Star Game. He's converted his last 16 save chances, but he's also taken three losses while allowing six runs over 20.1 innings over that span. For the season, Romano has a 2.97 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB through 39.1 innings while adding 26 saves in 29 chances.

Sewald (3-0) allowed a walk and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless ninth inning to earn the win Friday over the Blue Jays.

Sewald kept the game tied at 2-2 in the top of the inning before Teoscar Hernandez walked it off with a single in the bottom of the frame. This was Sewald's second straight appearance in a non-save situation during the M's homestand, and those outings have come on consecutive days, which may make him unavailable Saturday. He's at a 2.95 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 58:13 K:BB with 19 saves through 39.2 innings this season.

Pressly walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-4 win over the Athletics.

Pressly has put up a pair of scoreless appearances to bounce back from giving up four runs (three earned) over his previous two innings. While he's been a little unsteady since the All-Star break, he's in little danger of losing his closer job. He's 23-for-27 in save chances with a 2.84 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 49:9 K:BB through 44.1 innings this season.

Hernandez (calf) was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday. He allowed three runs on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning during Friday's loss to the Angels.

Yohan Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for the left-hander on the 26-man roster. Hernandez missed just over a month with a right calf strain, and he allowed home runs to Zach Neto and Taylor Ward to account for the three runs. He also recorded three strikeouts -- a wild pitch allowed Shohei Ohtani to reach base. Hernandez carries a 3.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB through 28 innings this season while adding three holds, so he's not likely to see a lot of high-leverage work.

Estevez allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 22nd save of the season in Friday's 8-5 win over the Pirates.

Estevez went nearly three weeks between saves -- his last came July 2. The Angels went just 4-7 in that time, which explains his limited opportunities. While he's yet to blow a save chance this season, Estevez has allowed five runs over his last 11.2 innings with a 12:8 K:BB in that span. He's at a 2.08 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB through 39 innings overall.

Thielbar (oblique) threw a bullpen session Thursday and will pitch live batting practice Saturday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins are expected to make plans for a rehab assignment after Saturday's throwing session. It's possible Thielbar could return in early August.