MLB Player News

Hernandez saved Thursday's 3-2 win against the White Sox, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Hernandez received a second straight save chance and delivered again with a stress-free outing. The 26-year-old has recorded saves in two of his last three appearances with five strikeouts across the outings and appears to be the new favorite to close games for Texas. He features a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

Pivetta didn't factor into the decision during Thursday's 7-3 loss to Kansas City, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts in five innings.

Pivetta was given a two-run lead before he took the mound but gave it right back by surrendering two of his own on two hits in the bottom of the inning while allowing another run on three baserunners in the fifth. Aside from a one-run outing July 25, the 29-year-old has allowed at least three runs in each of his last six starts and has seen his ERA balloon from 3.23 to 4.51 as a result. In addition to 4.51 ERA, Pivetta carries a 1.33 WHIP with 119 strikeouts in 123.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come midweek against Atlanta.

Puk recorded the final out of Thursday's win against the Angels to earn the save.

Puk relieved Zach Jackson -- who allowed the tying run to reach base -- to earn his third save of the season. He has been in a near-even split for save chances with Jackson since the All-Star break, and the closer role will likely remain up for grabs after Lou Trivino was dealt at the trade deadline. We'll also note that Dany Jimenez just returned from a shoulder injury as well. Puk has made the most of his chances, turning in 12 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run and has tallied all three of his saves on the season since July 22. For the season, Puk owns a 2.01 ERA and a 45:11 K:BB across 44.2 frames.

Junis (4-3) allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Dodgers.

Junis surrendered only one run before being pulled, but he labored throughout the start. He allowed multiple baserunners in each of his last three frames and needed 79 pitches to record 14 outs. Junis has failed to complete more than 4.1 innings in any of his three starts since being activated from the injured list July 16. Overall, he has a 3.05 ERA with a 53:14 K:BB across 62 innings for the season.

Kimbrel allowed one earned run on one hit while striking out one to earn the save Thursday against the Giants.

Kimbrel was handed a three-run lead in the ninth inning and managed to hang on to record his 20th save of the season. He has successfully converted his last six chances and turned in eight scoreless efforts across 10 total appearances since July 9. Kimbrel has a subpar 4.26 ERA with a 54:16 K:BB across 38 innings on the season, though he continues to have a firm grasp on the closer role in Los Angeles.

Sadzeck signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Sadzeck was designated for assignment by the Brewers on July 25 and elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. He's now found a new opportunity and could make his way to the big-league roster in Washington by season's end.

Law was designated for assignment Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Law has made two appearances out of the bullpen since being promoted to Detroit on July 30. He'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster in favor of Bryan Garcia, who will start Friday against the Rays.

Diaz allowed a hit and struck out three over two scoreless innings to earn the save in Thursday's 6-4 win over Atlanta.

This was just the third time this year Diaz has been asked to get more than three outs. He was fresh, having not pitched since July 29, and he didn't show any rust in a typical shutdown performance. The Mets closer has not allowed a run in 16.1 innings since June 22, and he's converted 10 of his 24 saves this season in that impressive span. Overall he owns a 1.44 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 87:12 K:BB through 43.2 innings.

Alcala underwent elbow surgery Wednesday and will not pitch again in 2022, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Alcala was placed on the injured list April 12 and attempted to return to the bullpen multiple times since. However, he recently had arthroscopic debridement surgery to end his campaign after just 2.1 innings. Alcala is expected to be ready for spring training in 2023.

Lopez (back) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and will throw a sim game over the weekend, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lopez was placed on the injured list July 28, but the move was retroactive to July 25. It was hoped that he would have only a minimum stint, and this ramp-up schedule suggests he could be activated when first eligible Tuesday. Lopez has been a key part of the White Sox's bullpen, maintaining a 2.98 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44:8 K:BB across 42.1 innings for the season.