MLB Player News

Graveman (3-1) struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless eighth inning to earn the win Sunday against the Tigers.

Graveman entered in the eighth inning of a tied game and set down the Tigers lineup in order. He served as the team's primary closer with Liam Hendriks sidelined but has since returned to a setup role. Graveman has allowed an earned run in two of his last four appearances, yet still owns a 2.39 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB across 37.2 innings.

McHugh (2-1) picked up the win in Sunday's extra-innings victory over the Nationals, giving up one hit and one walks while striking out one over two scoreless innings.

The right-hander kept Washington off the board in the 11th and 12th innings, and got rewarded for his efforts when Atlanta finally pushed across a run. McHugh has been asked to pitch more than one inning in five of nine appearances since returning from the COVID-19 list in mid-June but he's handled the workload well, posting a 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB through 14.1 innings over that stretch with both of his wins on the year. McHugh hasn't recorded a hold since June 5 however, and he doesn't appear to be part of manager Brian Snitker's setup mix at present.

Zerpa was called up from Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Monday.

Zerpa will serve as the Royals' 27th man for Monday's doubleheader against the Tigers. He's yet to pitch in the big leagues this season, but he's compiled a 4.36 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 69 punchouts over 64 innings in 13 starts in Double-A this year. Zerpa will likely be returned to the minor leagues following Monday's contests.

Helsley picked up the save Sunday, tossing a perfect ninth inning in a 4-3 win over Philadelphia.

Helsley was able to get three flyouts to close out the ballgame and earn his seventh save. After fanning 24 in his previous 13.2 innings, he did not record a strikeout for the first time since June 7. The 27-year-old continues to dominate opponents, as his 0.73 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and .107 opponents' batting average are some of the best marks among relievers in baseball.

Pallante allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out four in 5.2 innings in a 4-3 win Sunday over Philadelphia. He did not factor into the decision.

Pallante gave up a single to each of the first three batters he faced but managed to limit the damage to one run in the first. After retiring the side in order in the next two innings, he again allowed three straight singles in the fourth, leading to another run. The final run came on a Kyle Schwarber solo shot to lead off the fifth. In two starts in July, the 23-year-old has allowed 10 runs on 19 hits, including three homers, in 9.1 innings. His next start will likely be this weekend against the Reds.

Nelson opened Sunday, allowing a run on three hits and a walk while striking out four in two innings in a 4-3 loss in St. Louis. He did not factor into the decision.

After striking out the side in the first inning, Nelson allowed singles to three of the first four batters in the second, leading to the Cardinals' first run. It was the first time the Phillies used him as an opener all season. Including Sunday, the 26-year-old has allowed just one run in his last 9.2 innings while posting an 11:3 K:BB across five outings. He'll likely move back to his middle-relief role in his next outing.

Pivetta didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 11-6 win over the Yankees, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

Pivetta struggled early -- surrendering two runs in each of the first three innings -- and departed after putting two runners on in the fourth. Boston rallied to score the game's final nine runs and erase the 29-year-old from the ledger; however, Pivetta's now permitted 13 runs combined in his last two starts across nine innings, causing his ERA to inflate nearly a full run from 3.23 to 4.08. He's slated for a rematch against New York next weekend.

Leiter (2-4) allowed an unearned run on two hits while retiring one batter via strikeout to take the loss Sunday against the Dodgers.

The Cubs probably didn't plan on using Leiter, who tossed five innings as the starting pitcher Thursday against the Dodgers, but Sunday starter Drew Smyly lasted only two frames in the 11-9 loss, so the team had to scramble. Leiter became the first Chicago pitcher to start a game and appear in relief during the same series since Daniel Norris accomplished that last season, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. Leiter has made four starts and nine relief appearances so far this year, and he hasn't been particularly effective in either role, registering a 5.14 ERA across 35 innings. He's likely to stick in the bullpen moving forward now that the Cubs have returned both Smyly and Marcus Stroman from the injured list.

Howard is scheduled to start Monday's home game against the Athletics, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Texas previously listed Howard as its starter for Tuesday, but rather than being moved back a day in the pitching schedule, he'll take the hill on five days' rest for the Rangers' first game of the week. He earned his second turn through the rotation after he covered four frames while allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks in an extra-inning loss to the Orioles on July 5. He likely won't have a long leash for a starting role, however, so Howard may need to turn in a pair of decent showings during the upcoming week to ensure he sticks in the rotation after the All-Star break. Following Monday's outing, Howard lines up to start the Rangers' penultimate game of the first half Saturday versus the Mariners.

Voth (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six in five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Sunday.

Voth made his fifth start of the season Sunday and was rewarded with his first win as the Orioles put up eight runs between the fourth and fifth innings. Since joining the rotation, he's posted a 3.50 ERA in 18 innings, and his workload has increased over his last five outings. Baltimore has two days off next week, so Voth doesn't project to make another start until after the All-Star break.