MLB Player News

Young struck out two in a perfect inning, earning a hold in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Phillies.

Young has made 15 of his 16 appearances this year for San Francisco. He's pitched to a 2.51 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB across 14.1 innings with five holds and a blown save. He's been better recently with two holds and three scoreless innings across his last four outings, which suggests he's working up the bullpen hierarchy for the Giants. He's still more of a middle reliever, though the lack of solid relief pitching for the team could allow him to function as part of a setup bridge to closer Camilo Doval over the last month of the campaign.

Doval (5-6) allowed a hit in a scoreless inning and earned the win Sunday over the Phillies.

Doval kept the game tied at 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning, setting the stage for Wilmer Flores' walkoff two-run home run in the bottom of the frame. Doval continues to pitch fairly well, as he's allowed four runs (two earned) across 13 innings since the start of August. The Giants' closer owns a 2.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 66:26 K:BB while converting 19 of 22 save chances through 56 innings this season.

Taylor (elbow) was cleared to resume his rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday and has given up two earned runs on two hits and two walks over 1.2 innings in his two appearances.

Taylor was pulled off the assignment for approximately two weeks after dealing with posterior elbow discomfort, but the lefty is in the process of ramping up again. Expect Houston to use most of the 30-day rehab window to evaluate Taylor before activating him from the 60-day injured list later this month.

Sands (elbow) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday and made his second appearance for the affiliate Sunday, covering 2.2 innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two.

Sands wasn't quite as sharp Sunday as he was during his first appearance four days earlier, when he gave up one earned run on two hits and no walks over two innings. The right-hander will likely get at least two days to rest up before the Twins decide whether to have him make another rehab outing or make his return from the 15-day injured list. He'll work as a long reliever out of the bullpen whenever he's activated.

The Twins released Heller from his minor-league contract Sunday.

Heller was one of three veteran relievers with prior MLB experience whom the Twins cut loose Sunday, with Tyler Thornburg and Juan Minaya also receiving their walking papers. The 31-year-old right-hander spent most of the season on the injured list before debuting from Triple-A St. Paul on Aug. 5 and allowing five runs (four earned) over 1.2 innings across three appearances.

Bednar (back) threw a side session Sunday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Bednar has been on the shelf for just over a month with low-back inflammation, so he'll likely need to throw at least one more bullpen session before advancing to facing hitters in live batting practice. If all goes well, Bednar could start a brief minor-league rehab assignment next week before returning from the 15-day injured list. While Bednar has been sidelined, three Pirates relievers -- Wil Crowe, Chase De Jong and Eric Stout -- have picked up one save apiece.

Barlow earned the save Sunday, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning of a 5-2 win in Detroit.

Barlow had no trouble with the bottom three hitters in Detroit's lineup Sunday and retired the side in order on 11 pitches. It was his 21st save of the season and first since Aug. 22. The 29-year-old has been used sparingly recently as Sunday's outing was his first appearance in the last five days. For the season, he has a 2.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 63:16 K:BB in 63 innings and will continue to close out games for the Royals.

Dominguez (triceps) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

With Dominguez recently emerging from a bullpen session without incident, he'll be ready to take another step forward in his recovery from triceps tendinitis by facing hitters. If all goes well Tuesday, Dominguez could begin what would likely be a one- or two-appearance minor-league rehab assignment as soon as Thursday. Once he's ready to return from the 15-day injured list, Dominguez could re-emerge as the Phillies' preferred option for save chances.

Schreiber earned the save Sunday, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning in a 5-2 win over Texas.

Schreiber ran the count full on two of the three hitters he faced but closed the door on Texas without anyone reaching base. It was his seventh save on the season and third since Aug. 27. Boston may not have a set closer at the moment but Schreiber and his 2.11 ERA and 0.89 WHIP is certainly someone manager Alex Cora trusts in important situations. The 28-year-old will likely continue to get a fair amount of save opportunities over the final month.

Helsley walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Cubs.

Helsley had logged three wins and a blown save over his five previous outings, with Giovanny Gallegos responsible for two saves since Helsley's last successful closing assignment. The 28-year-old issued a one-out walk to Zach McKinstry but got Seiya Suzuki to ground into a double play to end the game. Helsley has permitted three runs (all via solo home runs) in 12 innings since the start of August, accounting for half of the earned runs he's given up all year. He has a 0.99 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 80:16 K:BB while converting 13 of 17 save chances through 54.1 innings.