MLB Player News

Chapman struck out one over a scoreless and hitless eighth inning in Monday's 12-11 loss to Houston.

Chapman entered a tie game and pitched a second scoreless inning since joining the Rangers. After he set the side down in order in the top of the frame, the offense produced a run to take the lead in the bottom half of the eighth. That set up a save situation for closer Will Smith, but he allowed three hits and blew his second save of the season. Coming on the heels of Chapman's perfect inning, Smith picked an inopportune time to blow his second save of the season. However, manager Bruce Bochy quashed any notion of a change in the closer role, telling Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News, "that's not what we're even thinking about right now." Despite the manager's comments, Chapman's history in a closing role could lead him to steal save chances from Smith.

Cox allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 4.2 innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Monday.

Cox fared a little better than in his first MLB start last Wednesday, when he yielded four runs over 3.2 frames against Cleveland. However, the southpaw allowed a lot of traffic on the basepaths and wasn't able to record a single 1-2-3 inning. Cox was yanked after 4.2 frames having thrown 81 pitches (53 for a strike), and he's going to need to be able to go deeper into contests in order to be a viable starter. It remains to be seen if the Royals will keep in the rotation or move him back to the bullpen, where he thrived with 12.1 scoreless innings to begin his big-league career.

Cano (1-1) allowed a run on one hit over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Yankees.

Fresh off of being named to the American League's All-Star roster, Cano took his first loss of the campaign. He allowed an inherited runner to score the tying run in the seventh inning, and then he put the go-ahead run on base in the eighth before Danny Coulombe gave up a three-run home run. Cano has been scored on in two of his last three outings, but he remains one of the Orioles' most effective relievers. He's at a 1.32 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 37:6 K:BB through 41 innings while racking up four saves, 18 holds and three blown saves this season.

Iglesias earned a save against the Guardians on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Iglesias made short work of Cleveland in the ninth frame to protect a two-run lead, retiring the side in order on 11 pitches. It was the fourth straight scoreless appearance for the veteran closer following a stretch during which he allowed seven runs across six frames. Despite that uncharacteristic hiccup, Iglesias has remained the locked-in closer for one of baseball's top teams. He's struck out at least one batter without issuing a walk in 13 straight appearances, posting an impressive 21:0 K:BB over 13 frames during that span.

Pallante (2-1) allowed a run on two hits and struck out one without walking a batter over one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Marlins.

Pallante allowed an inherited runner to score the tying run, then gave up another run in the seventh inning in relief of Miles Mikolas. Over 9.1 innings in July, Pallante was tagged for four runs on eight hits and eight walks. He's been fortunate to avoid taking a loss prior to Monday, as he has an uninspiring 4.11 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 28:16 K:BB through 30.2 big-league innings this season. The right-hander has added eight holds and three blown saves -- he's seen more high-leverage work with Ryan Helsley (forearm) on the injured list.

Barria (2-4) allowed four runs on five hits and struck out five without walking a batter over five innings, taking the loss Monday versus the Padres.

Barria gave up three hits, including a three-run home run in the first inning. The other two hits against him led to an additional run in the fourth. He's given up four or more runs in three of his last seven appearances, and he's yielded 19 runs (15 earned) over 26.1 innings in that span. Barria has a 3.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 45:16 K:BB through 54.1 innings this season. He's made six starts in 18 appearances and continues to move between a swingman role and the sixth starter spot in the Angels' rotation. He's not expected to start again before the All-Star break, but it's possible he could be available out of the bullpen by the weekend.

Phillips hit a batter but did not yield a hit or a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 5-2 win over the Pirates.

Phillips threw 14 pitches (nine strikes) in the outing, erasing the hit batsman with a double play before getting Bryan Reynolds to fly out. Phillips has put a runner on base in four of his last five appearances, but he's riding a 10.1-inning scoreless streak dating back to June 13. He's up to 12 saves, six holds, a 1.85 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB through 34 innings this season. Phillips remains in a committee situation, but he's pitched well enough to continue seeing save chances.

Doval (2-3) allowed four runs on three hits and struck out one without walking a batter in one inning, taking the loss Monday versus the Mariners.

It wasn't a save situation, but Doval allowed the Mariners to rally for a lead in the ninth inning after entering a 2-2 game. This was the first time he's allowed multiple runs since April 14 against the Tigers, when he gave up three unearned runs over 1.2 innings. The bad outing spiked his ERA to 2.77 with a 1.10 WHIP and 54:17 K:BB through 39 innings this season. Given his strong performance and track record of success with 24 saves in 26 tries, this one poor showing is unlikely to cost him closing duties.

Holmes earned a save against the Orioles on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Holmes came on in the ninth frame with New York holding a three-run lead and retired all three batters he faced on 14 pitches to pick up his first save since June 20. Though three other Yankees relievers notched a save between then and Monday, Holmes remains the most likely source of ninth-inning opportunities for the team. He had some shaky outings early in the campaign but has posted an outstanding 0.74 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 31:9 K:BB over 24.1 innings since May 6.

Puk allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning Monday, striking out one batter and earning a save against the Cardinals.

Puk coughed up a leadoff single but managed to close out the 5-4 victory. He's converted four straight save chances after coughing up three runs in a blown opportunity against the Pirates on June 23. Puk lowered his season ERA to 2.77 with 14 saves and a 29:4 K:BB.