MLB Player News

Sandlin (2-2) allowed an unearned run and one walk while striking out one over one inning, taking the extra-inning loss versus the Cardinals on Saturday.

It was a passed ball that allowed Brendan Donovan to scurry home for the decisive run in the 10th inning. Prior to Saturday, Sandlin had pitched 7.2 scoreless innings to begin May. The right-hander has been effective in a low-leverage role with a 3.26 ERA, though his 0.78 WHIP shows that he's been better at limiting baserunners through 19.1 innings this season. He's added a hold and a blown save, but he's unlikely to challenge Emmanuel Clase or Trevor Stephan for late-inning work.

Helsley (3-3) struck out one over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the win Saturday versus the Guardians.

Helsley got the last out of the eighth inning and pitched a clean ninth to keep the game tied at 1-1. He's had some shaky outings recently, allowing three runs (two earned) over his last three appearances, but Saturday was a reminder of what he can be when he's at his best. Helsley lowered his ERA to 2.82 with a 1.16 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB over 22.1 innings. He's now tied with Giovanny Gallegos for the team lead in saves with six apiece, and Helsley's added two holds and three blown saves while splitting the closing duties.

Jansen earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Jansen got the call to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and retired Arizona in order on 13 pitches. The veteran closer posted his third straight scoreless outing -- two of which have resulted in a save -- following a troubling pair of appearances in mid-May during which he blew two saves and allowed six runs (five earned) across one inning. Those two blowups have Jansen's ERA at 3.45 on the campaign, but he's kept the opponent off the scoreboard in 14 of his 17 outings overall.

Gallegos tossed a perfect inning to earn a save against the Guardians on Saturday.

Gallegos made quick work of Cleveland in the ninth to uphold a one-run lead, retiring the side on just five pitches. The right-hander picked up his sixth save as a result, five of which have come since May 9. Ryan Helsley has just two saves in that span, and though either reliever could get the call to close in any given contest, Gallegos appears to be slightly more likely to see such chances for the time being.

Johnson pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 10-7 win over the Mets.

Johnson melted down in a non-save situation in his last outing Thursday, but he responded well. He needed just six pitches (five strikes) to set down the Mets' 3-4-5 hitters. While pitching at Coors Field can lead to the occasional blow-up, Johnson has converted all 11 of his save chances this season. He's at a 6.23 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB through 21.2 innings.

Diaz allowed a hit, hit a batter and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Cubs.

It was far from a shutdown inning, but it was good enough to protect a three-run lead. Diaz has allowed multiple baserunners in three of his last five outings, but he's been scored on in just two of his 20 appearances this season. It shakes out as a 1.83 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 37:10 K:BB through 19.2 innings, and he's converted all 11 of his save chances while adding one hold. Diaz's strong pitching this season has solidified his grip on the closer role.

Fulmer (0-4) allowed two runs while retiring only two batters to take the loss Saturday against the Reds. He gave up a hit and two walks while striking out two.

Fulmer was tagged for a two-run home run by Jonathan India in the fifth inning to ultimately get saddled with the loss in the 8-5 defeat, The veteran has struggled with his new team, as he now has a 7.84 ERA and has allowed two earned runs or more six times in 23 outings this year. Fulmer has lost his grip on a high-leverage role and has little fantasy appeal at the moment.

Ferguson earned a save against the Rays on Saturday, allowing a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Coming into the contest, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol had combined to notch 10 of the Dodgers' 13 saves on the season, but manager Dave Roberts eschewed that approach and deployed Graterol in the seventh inning and Phillips in the eighth Saturday. Phillips was left in the game to retire the first batter in the ninth before Roberts turned to Ferguson to close things out. The move nearly backfired, as the southpaw allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base, resulting in a run. However, Ferguson was able to get Harold Ramirez to ground out to end the threat. Ferguson picked up his second save to go along with seven holds, and he's pitched very well overall, posting a 1.42 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB over 19 innings. However, Phillips and Graterol still figure to get most of the save chances for Los Angeles moving forward.

Stewart picked up the save Saturday against the Blue Jays. He allowed one hit and no walks while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Jhoan Duran threw a scoreless eighth inning and Jorge Lopez couldn't finish the ninth inning (despite a 9-4 lead), so Stewart was called in to finish the game and convert a save chance. Stewart has suddenly become a reliable option in a struggling bullpen as he's thrown 14 scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts, though he has a concerning 11 walks. He could see increasing high-leverage opportunities if he can issue fewer free passes.

Lopez allowed three runs on three hits, including a two-run home run, without retiring a batter in Saturday's 9-7 victory over the Blue Jays.

Lopez had a strong start to the season with 12 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and one walk before May. Since May 2, Lopez has struggled with two losses, three blown saves and an 8.10 ERA in 10 innings. The Twins may need to move him to lower-leverage work until he gets back on track.