MLB Player News
-
Gregory Soto RP | PIT
Orioles' Gregory Soto: Working as left-handed specialist
Soto covered a scoreless two-thirds of an inning with no strikeouts in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Rays.
With Baltimore's bullpen essentially at full strength, the Orioles have mostly deployed Soto as a left-handed specialist. Soto has now worked less than one inning in 21 of his 43 outings this season, and he's recorded more than two outs on just one occasion through his first seven appearances in July. Soto has a 3.67 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB to go with 18 holds across 34.1 innings, which at least offers him some appeal in fantasy leagues that count holds.
-
Pete Fairbanks RP | MIA
Rays' Pete Fairbanks: Secures 16th save
Fairbanks notched a save against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.
Fairbanks had a two-run lead to work with when he entered in the ninth frame, but things got interesting when Cedric Mullins hit an RBI single and then stole second base with two outs. Another base hit out of the infield would have likely tied the score, but Fairbanks got Jackson Holliday to fly out to end the threat. Fairbanks was thus able record his first save in July (his previous save had come June 26 against Kansas City). The veteran right-hander has 16 of Tampa Bay's 22 saves on the campaign, and he remains pretty secure in his role despite the recent three-week drought.
-
Tanner Banks RP | PHI
Phillies' Tanner Banks: Records third hold Saturday
Banks threw a clean eighth inning in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Angels. He struck out one.
Banks logged his third hold of the season, and it was a nice recovery after he yielded three runs over his prior two outings. With fellow southpaw Matt Strahm having moved into the closing mix for the Phillies, Banks should see a larger share of high-leverage work until Jose Alvarado (suspension) returns. Banks has a reliable 3.56 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 43:6 K:BB over 43 innings this year.
-
Trevor Megill RP | MIL
Brewers' Trevor Megill: Converts 23rd save
Megill pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Dodgers.
Megill pitched a perfect inning for his fifth appearance in a row, four of which have come in two separate series versus the Dodgers. He's earned saves on back-to-day days, so he might not be available for a save chance if one arises Sunday. Megill is now at a 2.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB with 23 saves in 26 chances through 35.2 innings this season.
-
Joey Wentz SP | ATL
Braves' Joey Wentz: Clean outing in no-decision
Wentz did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two hits and one walk over four scoreless innings in a 12-9 loss against the Yankees. He struck out two.
Wentz pitched well with four shutout frames, though the Atlanta bullpen followed with a disastrous performance. The southpaw has bounced between three teams this season with mixed results, but he's off to a strong start in Atlanta, posting seven scoreless innings across two appearances. Saturday marked his first start of the year, so it remains to be seen whether he sticks in the rotation or shifts back to a bullpen role.
-
Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Rebounds for 19th save
Finnegan earned the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Padres, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
Finnegan was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and needed just 10 pitches to do so. It was a strong rebound for the 33-year-old after surrendering eight runs over his previous two appearances, including a five-run loss Friday. He's now 19-for-25 in save chances this season with a 4.25 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB across 36 innings.
-
Anthony Bender RP | MIA
Marlins' Anthony Bender: Collects third save
Bender struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Royals.
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough continues to mix and match his high-leverage options, as none of them have really stepped up to seize the closing job. Calvin Faucher blew a save chance in the ninth inning Friday, while Ronny Henriquez worked the eighth inning both Friday and Saturday, leaving the ninth to Bender in the latter contest. Two of Bender's saves on the season have come since July 7, and he's riding an 11-appearance shutout streak in which he's posted a 0.62 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 11.1 innings with two wins and five holds. That impressive stretch could earn him more save chances, but it could also make him a prime candidate to get moved at the trade deadline.
-
Jacob Latz RP | TEX
Rangers' Jacob Latz: Tabbed for start Sunday
Latz will start in place of Nathan Eovaldi (back) in Sunday's game against the Tigers in Arlington, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Eovaldi was scheduled for the start opposite Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, but the Rangers righty has been scratched due to tightness in his back. In Eovaldi's place, Latz will step in for what will most likely be a spot start, unless Eovaldi requires a stint on the injured list. The lefty previously made two starts this season, topping out at six innings and 88 pitches June 24 versus Baltimore. Latz has pitched well overall this season, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 48:21 K:BB over 48 frames spanning 21 appearances.
-
Lucas Erceg RP | KC
Royals' Lucas Erceg: Shaky in loss
Erceg (4-3) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks in an inning of relief as the Royals fell 3-1 to the Marlins. He struck out one.
Called in for the bottom of the eighth inning after Kansas City had tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the frame, Erceg handed the lead right back to Miami, although his line was somewhat misleading -- two of the walks he issued were intentional, and he threw 11 of 18 pitches for strikes. Carlos Estevez has blown three straight save chances, so the door could be open a crack for Erceg to work his way into the ninth-inning mix, but this performance won't encourage manager Matt Quatraro to switch things up. Through nine appearances in July, Erceg carries a 4.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over nine innings.
-
Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: Sets new career high in saves
Pagan allowed a hit and a run while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 21st save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Mets.
The 34-year-old righty established a career high in saves, surpassing the 20 he collected in 2019 -- the only other time he's reached double digits in his big-league career. Pagan is doing his best to improve his trade value as the deadline approaches, and over his last 10 appearances he's posted a 0.96 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 9.1 innings while converting all four of his save chances.