MLB Player News

Sewald pitched the ninth inning without giving up any runs, hits or walks to pick up the save in a 5-4 win over the Astros on Saturday.

After the Mariners pulled ahead in the top of the ninth with a two-run inning, manager Scott Servais called on Sewald to protect a one-run lead. Sewald pitched a smooth three-up, three-down frame to earn his 13th save of the season. It was a nice bounce-back performance for Sewald after he gave up a couple of runs and blew the save his last time out against the Rangers. Sewald is in the midst of a career-best season and boasts a 2.72 ERA.

Pressly (3-3) gave up two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two over one inning of work to take the loss in a 5-4 defeat to the Mariners on Saturday.

Pressly had been very good in July, tallying two wins and two saves while posting an ERA of 2.00 coming into Saturday's game. However, he wasn't able to protect a one-run lead over the Mariners and gave up the game-winning hit on a two-out, two-RBI single to Abraham Toro. Despite being saddled with his third loss of the season, Pressly should get a chance to redeem himself shortly.

Heasley (1-6) allowed six runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out one across 3.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Yankees.

Heasley made his first start since July 9 after spending three weeks on the injured list. He received a rude welcome from the Yankees, as both DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Judge took Heasley yard to account for three of his earned runs. Heasley has had an up-and-down season for the Royals, allowing at least four earned runs in four of his last five appearances after logging a 3.62 ERA through his first six outings. That has resulted in a 5.50 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 52.1 innings on the campaign.

Fairbanks allowed two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Saturday against the Guardians.

Fairbanks successfully protected a two-run lead despite allowing the tying run to reach base. He now has two saves on the season and has served as the closer in each of the Rays' last two victories. Though it's difficult to project the ninth-inning role in Tampa Bay, it appears as if Fairbanks is the preferred option for the time being.

Rogers (2-3) struck out three in two perfect innings to earn the win Saturday over the Cubs.

Starter Jakob Junis didn't qualify for the win by going only four innings, with Rogers providing solid multi-inning relief. For much of July, Rogers' role has evolved into that of a middle reliever. He's allowed six runs on 10 hits and seven walks with seven strikeouts over 12.1 innings. He's posted a 4.56 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 29:16 K:BB in 47.1 innings overall while collecting 11 holds and a blown save through 45 outings.

Leone allowed a run on one hit over one inning, but he earned the save in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Cubs.

Yunior Marte got into trouble in the ninth inning, putting two on with no outs. Leone entered the game and allowed a single to load the bases. The Cubs were able to rally for three runs, with one charged to Leone on a Seiya Suzuki groundout, but the comeback effort fell just short. This was Leone's third save of the season, and he's added 11 holds and three blown saves in 40 appearances. The right-hander has a 3.96 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB through 36.1 innings. He'll likely be unavailable Sunday since he's pitched three days in a row.

Junis allowed five hits and a walk with four strikeouts in four scoreless innings, taking a no-decision Saturday versus the Cubs.

Junis stretched out to 74 pitches, but he wasn't very efficient with them in throwing only 45 strikes in this outing. He was at least able to keep runs off the board for the first time in three appearances since returning from a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old owns a 2.78 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 48:12 K:BB through 58.1 innings in 12 outings (nine starts) this year. Junis is projected for a tough home start versus the Dodgers next week.

Hudson didn't factor into the decision during Saturday's 7-6 loss to Washington, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with one strikeout in 4.1 innings.

Making his first start since July 14 due to a neck injury, Hudson kept the damage to a minimum, surrendering a Victor Robles solo home run in the third inning and putting one runner on in the fifth who came around to score after Hudson departed. The 27-year-old has averaged an improved two walks per game during four July starts, though he still ranks last by a wide margin among 62 qualified starters with a 1.23 K/BB. Hudson carries a 4.10 ERA and 1.36 WHIP into his next start, scheduled to come midweek against the Cubs.

Martin (0-7) took the loss and a blown save in Saturday's 9-7 defeat against the Angels. He was charged with two runs on a hit and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.

Dennis Santana made a mess of things early in the eighth inning, allowing three of the four batters he faced to reach base. Martin wasn't able to settle things down, uncorking a wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score before giving up a two-run double to Luis Rengifo. In his last six outings, Martin has allowed at least one run five times and multiple runs in three of those appearances. He now has a 4.24 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 28:14 K:BB in 34 innings this season. He's picked up three saves and four holds, but he now has three blown saves, and the southpaw could soon be shuffled out of the closer role if he can't get back on track. Per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, manager Chris Woodward was saving Jonathan Hernandez for the ninth inning Saturday, which suggests he could be the next man up for closing duties if Martin loses the job.

Otto allowed four runs on four hits, three walks and two hit batters while striking out five in five innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

Otto struggled to find the zone, throwing 43 of 73 pitches for strikes. He's gone 0-5 with two no-decisions in his last seven starts, and he's allowed at least three runs in six of those outings. The right-hander owns a 5.50 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 57:38 K:BB in 72 innings across 15 starts this year. Otto is projected for a home start against the White Sox next week.