MLB Player News

Diaz picked up the save Tuesday against Baltimore. He allowed one walk while logging a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

Diaz is now a perfect 22-for-22 in save chances this year, putting him fourth in the league. The 26-year-old right-hander has been dominant, pitching to a 1.85 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and 57:19 K:BB through 34 innings. With Cincinnati surging, Diaz should remain a high-end closing option for fantasy purposes.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

He did not get into a game this time around with the big club after getting recalled Monday. Rodriguez has allowed one run while striking out one and walking two in 2.2 innings across two appearances with the big club this season.

Hicks struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Astros.

The right-hander topped out at 99.5 mph with his final pitch as he caught Jeremy Pena looking. Hicks has converted saves in five straight appearances since taking over the closer role from Ryan Helsley (forearm), relegating Giovanny Gallegos to setup duties. The notoriously wild Hicks, who has a 13.5 percent walk rate for his career, also hasn't issued a free pass in six straight games, and over the last month he sports a 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB through 12.2 innings. If he can maintain that kind of control, he might well hang onto ninth-inning duties the rest of the year.

Ginkel struck one over one inning in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Rays.

Ginkel was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and pitched a clean eighth inning. He had pitched well for the Diamondbacks prior to being sent down June 12, but the organization needed a roster spot for Joe Mantiply's return from the injured list. The same two were involved in Tuesday's transaction, as Mantiply was optioned after allowing eight earned runs over eight innings. Ginkel will work middle relief.

Doval struck out three without allowing a baserunner over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Blue Jays.

This was the fifth time Doval's been asked to get more than three outs this season, and he's been scored on in just one of those outings. He's given up two runs over 12.1 innings while converting nine saves in June. For the season, Doval owns an excellent 1.95 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and 52:16 K:BB through 37 innings. He's now 23-for-25 in save chances.

Stephan (4-3) allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn the win Tuesday over the Royals.

Stephan was briefly on the hook for the loss after giving up a run in the eighth inning, but the Guardians scored twice in the ninth to put him in line for the win. He's given up an unearned run in two straight outings, but it's been 9.2 innings since he surrendered an earned run. The setup man has a 2.12 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 39:11 K:BB with two saves, 12 holds and four blown saves over 34 innings this season.

Lopez, who is on the 15-day injured list for mental health reasons, has been throwing, but there is no timetable for his return, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Lopez is eligible to return from the injured list Friday, but it doesn't sound like he'll be activated this weekend. He'll likely need a minor-league rehab stint when he's ready to return.

Knehr (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks over two innings against the Pirates. He struck out one.

Knehr, called up to fill in for Yu Darvish (illness) on Tuesday, was tagged for three runs in the second inning before surrendering a pair of solo home runs in the third. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed 10 runs while sporting a 2.65 WHIP through just 5.2 innings this season. Knehr will likely return to Triple-A, where he'll serve as a depth option for the Padres.

Moll allowed two hits and struck out two without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Yankees.

Moll wasn't exactly sharp, but he was able to navigate the traffic on the basepaths to earn his first career save. He's filled a high-leverage role at times this year with five holds through 34 appearances, but Trevor May has handled most of the Athletics' closing chances in June. Moll has a 3.99 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB over 29.1 innings, though the lack of leads to protect limits his appeal in most fantasy formats despite the strong strikeout numbers.

Estevez picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox. He allowed one run on four hits while striking out one over one inning.

Estevez took the reigns with a 4-1 lead, but he gave up a double to Eloy Jimenez on his first pitch and three consecutive singles to leave the bases loaded with no outs. However, Estevez managed to regain control of the inning, striking out Seby Zavala and then forcing Elvis Andrus to ground into a game-ending double play to secure the save. The save was his 20th of the year, good for fourth most in baseball.