MLB Player News

Bass struck out two in a perfect seventh inning Friday to record his 14th hold of the season in a win over the Mets.

The right-hander reeled off his 11th straight scoreless appearance in impressive fashion. Bass might be Miami's most reliable reliever at the moment, posting a 0.54 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB through 16.2 innings since the beginning of June, but he hasn't had a save since 2020 and manager Don Mattingly seems more comfortable using the 34-year-old in a setup role.

Okert gave up a run on a hit, two walks and a hit-by-pitch while striking out one in the eighth inning Friday to record his 12th hold of the season in a win over the Mets.

Brought in to face New York's 2-3-4 hitters in a 4-1 game, Okert made things a little too interesting by serving up a solo shot to Francisco Lindor before loading the bases with two outs. Fortunately, the southpaw got Eduardo Escobar to fly out to end the rally. Okert has given up runs in back-to-back appearances, but with Tanner Scott still holding down the closer role, Okert's spot as the Marlins' top left-handed setup man seems fairly secure. Since the beginning of June, he sports a 2.70 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 13.1 innings with three wins and six holds.

Floro walked one and struck out one in a scoreless sixth inning to record his fourth hold of the season in Friday's win over the Mets.

The veteran right-hander notched saves in his prior two appearances, but Floro was back in a setup role Friday, facing the heart of the Mets' order to protect a 2-1 lead. Tanner Scott remains the Marlins' closer but has had trouble finding the plate lately, and if his control issues force manager Don Mattingly to make a change, Floro appears to be the top option to replace him despite a merely adequate 3.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB through 13.2 innings since the beginning of June.

Williams tossed a scoreless eighth inning and picked up his league-leading 22nd hold in Friday's victory over the Pirates.

Williams allowed a couple runners to reach base Friday, but when it was all said and done he wound up keeping the opponent off the scoreboard for the 23rd time in his last 23 appearances. Since that streak began, Williams has also posted a tiny 0.69 WHIP and a 36:8 K:BB over 21.2 frames.

Milner tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's victory over the Pirates.

Milner had a nine-appearance scoreless streak snapped in his first outing of July, but he bounced back Friday by retiring all three batters he faced in the seventh inning. Milner is quietly going about his business and now owns a 2.25 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 32 innings over 34 appearances this season. He's added a 3-1 record and four holds.

Castro (5-0) earned the win over Boston on Friday, allowing one hit while striking out three batters over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Yankees starter Nestor Cortes was lit up for four runs and eight hits over 3.2 innings, and Castro was brought in to replace him with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. The righty reliever began his outing by hitting Xander Bogaerts with a pitch, but he bounced back to end the frame with a strikeout. Castro then retired three of the four batters he faced in the fifth and was credited with the win as the Yankees cruised to victory. Over his past five outings, Castro has tossed 6.1 scoreless innings while posting a 10:1 K:BB and notching two wins along with one hold.

Patino (oblique) is dealing with a blister and is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session Saturday, Will Aldrich of MLB.com reports.

Patino was forced to abandon his rehab assignment after developing the blister, and the Rays will use his throwing session Saturday to determine the next step in his recovery. Prior to the setback, Patino had ramped up to 78 pitches, so a return later in July remains possible.

Zimmermann was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

Zimmermann was sent down in mid-June after struggling over his first major-league starts of the year, posting a 5.94 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 66.2 innings. He didn't fare much better in the minors, logging a 4.50 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 18 innings over three appearances (two starts). The southpaw was scheduled to start for Norfolk on Saturday but will rejoin the Orioles' active roster, likely as a long reliever for now.

Ort was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Ort began the season in Worcester and picked up 15 saves while recording a 3.12 ERA, 46:16 K:BB and 1.14 WHIP in 34.2 innings over 33 appearances. He's made just one major-league appearance but will join Boston's bullpen after Michael Feliz was designated for assignment Friday. Although he pitched in high-leverage situations in the minors, it's not yet clear whether he'll have similar opportunities in the big leagues.

Barnes (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with the Red Sox's rookie-level Florida Coast League affiliate Saturday, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Barnes progressed to facing live hitters Monday and tossed another bullpen session Thursday. The right-hander gave up three runs on three hits in one inning Saturday, but his rehab assignment should be the final step in his recovery process. It's possible that Barnes will have additional appearances in the minors since he wasn't particularly effective prior to landing on the injured list.