MLB Player News

O'Brien secured the save Sunday against the Reds, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

O'Brien did let the possible tying run get to the plate, but he was able to hang on for the save courtesy of a Blake Dunn flyout. The 31-year-old right-hander has been shaky at times as St. Louis' closer, though he's now collected three saves in a row and ranks second in the National League behind only Mason Miller in saves. Through 29.1 frames, O'Brien has a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB while converting 17 of his 21 save chances.

Erceg secured the save Sunday against the Twins, allowing no runs on two hits and no walks in two-thirds of an inning.

The Royals first turned to Beck Way to close out a 6-1 game in the ninth inning, but the hurler ended up giving up four runs to create a save opportunity. Erceg did surrender a pair of singles Sunday, though he eventually got Brooks Lee to fly out and extinguish the fire. Erceg, who has fallen into a closer committee with Kansas City due to his MLB-worst six blown saves, has a 6.00 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 21:16 K:BB with 12 saves across 24 frames.

Curvelo was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock after Sunday's 10-0 win over Cleveland.

Curvelo will head back to the Triple-A level after being called up June 1. The 25-year-old appeared in three contests with the big-league club following his promotion, combining to give up two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out one batter over 2.1 innings. Curvelo will now wait for his next chance to join the big-league club down the road this year.

Varland collected his 11th save of the season against the Orioles on Sunday, when he allowed one hit while striking out two across 1.1 scoreless innings.

Varland was brought out in the eighth inning with a man on base, who ended up being stranded after the right-hander struck out Leody Taveras. Varland was brought back out for the ninth and gave up an infield single to Colton Cowser, but the former closed the door on the Orioles with another punchout, marking the 14th time this season that Varland has recorded at least two strikeouts. He's now a perfect 11-for-11 on save opportunities and has a 0.26 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 45:9 K:BB across 34.2 innings this season.

Dobbins is slated to start Thursday's game against the Mets at Citi Field, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Dobbins will get a turn in the rotation after making two appearances out of the bullpen since his call-up from Triple-A Memphis on May 31. In those two outings, the 26-year-old combined to pitch 8.2 innings, allowing one earned run on eight hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters. St. Louis hasn't indicated that it will maintain a six-man rotation beyond this week, so Dobbins may need a strong showing against the Mets to make a case for earning additional starts.

Jax did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Marlins, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings.

It was a nice bounce-back performance from Jax after he allowed three home runs in his last outing against the Tigers this past Monday. He tossed 37 strikes on 62 pitches Sunday while generating nine whiffs, and it was the third time this season that he completed five frames, all of which have come over his last five starts. Jax sits at a 4.15 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB across 39 innings this season, and his next start is slated for next weekend on the road against the Angels.

Englert is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Ian Seymour during Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays recalled Englert from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, and he proceeded to work in long relief of starter Nick Martinez later that day in a 7-2 loss to the Tigers, covering five innings and striking out three while allowing one earned run on four hits and no walks. Though Englert will continue to work out of the bullpen Monday, he looks as though he'll be taking over the rotation spot of the struglging Steven Matz, who was recently shifted to a relief role.

Fuentes earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Pirates, allowing two hits while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Raisel Iglesias having pitched back-to-back days, it was Fuentes who got the call in the ninth inning Sunday instead of Robert Suarez. It didn't come easy for the 20-year-old right-hander, as the Pirates got the tying and go-ahead runs aboard with one out. However, Fuentes managed to induce a popup off the bat of Jared Triolo before striking out Endy Rodriguez to close out the one-run victory and earn his first career save. While Atlanta still views Fuentes as a long-term starter, he's been stellar out of the bullpen recently, allowing just one run on eight hits while striking out 14 in his last 12 appearances (13.1 innings).

Seymour will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Seymour will likely pitch one or two innings before turning the ball over to right-hander Mason Englert, the latter of whom was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday. The left-handed Seymour has struggled as of late, allowing seven runs (five earned) on six hits and seven walks while striking out six in 6.2 innings spanning his last four appearances.

Bender earned the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Rays, allowing one hit while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Pete Fairbanks was utilized out of the bullpen Saturday, so the Marlins called on Bender to close out Sunday's game. Bender ended up tossing 24 pitches, 10 of which came in his strikeout of Cedric Mullins to seal the game for Miami. Bender sits at a 3.04 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, five holds and a 29:9 K:BB across 26.2 innings this season.