MLB Player News

Graveman struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-0 win over the Tigers.

This was the White Sox's first save situation since Liam Hendriks (illness) returned to action. Manager Pedro Grifol appears set to ease Hendriks back into action, especially after he struggled in his season debut, so Graveman's still an option for saves in the near term. The clean inning extended Graveman's scoreless streak to 12.1 innings since the start of May, a span in which he's logged all five of his saves while adding a 12:5 K:BB with just two hits allowed and two holds. The right-hander is at a 2.66 ERA, 0.93 WHIP an 24:10 K:BB over 23.2 innings this season, and he should remain in the high-leverage mix even if Hendriks begins to return to form.

Duran allowed a hit and a walk over 1.2 scoreless innings Friday, striking out three and earning a save over the Guardians.

Duran's walk was an intentional one and he didn't face much resistance while closing out a 1-0 victory. He picked up his first save since May 5 and has now converted eight of his nine chances on the year. While Minnesota hasn't provided him with consistent save opportunities, Duran has gone 12.2 straight innings without allowing an earned run, lowering his season ERA to 1.17.

Strahm will work as an opener for Saturday's game against the Nationals, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Seidman notes that Strahm could work two innings before giving way to the bullpen. Dylan Covey was originally penciled in as Saturday's start against Washington, and it seems possible that he could work as a bulk reliever after Strahm exits.

Smith struck out one in a perfect inning to earn a save over Seattle on Friday.

Smith needed just seven pitches to finish off the 2-0 win with no trouble. He picked up his first save since May 24 and he's now converted six consecutive opportunities. The 33-year-old lefty has produced a 3.15 ERA and a 24:6 K:BB through 20 frames.

Hernandez left Friday's game against the Rockies with an apparent injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez allowed four runs while getting just one out before leaving the game, with Nick Wittgren taking over on the mound. The nature or severity of Hernandez's injury isn't yet clear.

Fleming was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with left elbow soreness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Fleming was scheduled to start one of the two games of Tampa Bay's doubleheader against the Red Sox on Saturday, but that won't happen now. The left-hander will miss at least two weeks while recovering, and the Rays will announce a corresponding move before Saturday's twin bill. Trevor Kelley will be deployed as an opener in Fleming's place Saturday.

Kelley will be the opener for the first game of a doubleheader against the Red Sox on Saturday, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Kelley will open the game and likely go an inning or two in what could be a bullpen day for Tampa Bay. Tyler Glasnow will get the nod in the second game after having his scheduled start Friday postponed due to inclement weather.

Yacabonis was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

Yacabonis was removed from the 40-man roster May 30, and the right-hander has been dealing with a strained left quad since May 9. He'll report back to Triple-A and provide some pitching depth in the minors once he's healthy, but he won't be able to help the Mets without being placed back on the 40-man roster.

Joyce has thrown 21 of his 22 major-league pitches at over 100 mph, per Taylor Blake Ward of AngelsWin.com.

Joyce's spectacular velocity is no secret -- his fastball was clocked as high as 105 mph in college before the Angels took him in the third round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft. He struggled to control the pitch at Double-A this season, walking 14 batters over 15.2 innings, but the Angels nonetheless fast-tracked him to the majors with a call-up Sunday. Joyce has shown huge promise in his first two games as a big-leaguer, posting a 4:0 K:BB over two scoreless frames. On Thursday, he fanned both Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez on three pitches each, with all the offerings being four-seam fastballs that clocked in at 101-102 mph. The Angels are set at closer this season with Carlos Estevez pitching well, but Joyce could see plenty of high-leverage work if he continues to limit walks. The fireballer has the makings of a future closer, and he could have some fantasy value even if he's not getting save chances due to his potential to rack up strikeouts in bunches.

Pop (hamstring) is scheduled to make another rehab appearance Friday with Low-A Dunedin, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pop worked around a walk and a hit-by-pitch to deliver a scoreless inning Tuesday in his rehab debut with Dunedin. He should be a consideration for the Blue Jays' bullpen sometime next week, assuming all continues to go well on his rehab stint. The right-hander has been out since May 5 due to a right hamstring strain.