MLB Player News

Martinez gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk over 3.2 innings of relief Wednesday to record his first save of the season in a 10-4 win over the Diamondbacks. He struck out three.

The 31-year-old right-hander has been mostly effective for the Padres in a swing-man role this season, and that usage led to a rare three-inning save Wednesday, during which he tossed 53 pitches (40 strikes). Martinez will carry a 3.94 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 60:28 K:BB through 64 innings into his next appearance, and with San Diego's rotation healthy at the moment, that appearance will likely come out of the bullpen.

Barlow worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday without a walk or strikeout to record his 13th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Phillies.

The right-hander continues to be effective, if not dominant, as the Rangers' closer. Barlow is 13-for-15 in converting save chances, and while his 2.96 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through 24.1 innings are impressive, his mediocre 20.4 percent strikeout rate and stingy .200 BABIP highlight how much his success relies on weak contact rather than overpowering raw stuff.

Vespi walked one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's rain-shortened 7-0 win over the Nationals.

The teams played six complete innings, with Vespi protecting a three-run lead in the top of the sixth before the Orioles put together a four-run rally in their half of the frame. The game was later called due to rain, making this a bizarre first career save for Vespi. While it's yet to come to fruition, the 26-year-old southpaw has certainly earned a look in more significant spots with a 0.87 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB across 10.1 innings in eight appearances. He'll likely see mid-leverage work at most, as the Orioles' bullpen has been a strength for the team this season.

Holmes earned a save against the Rays on Wednesday, pitching a perfect inning during which he struck out one batter.

Holmes blew his first save of the season in his previous outing, but he bounced back in fine fashion Wednesday, retiring all three batters he faced on 16 pitches to secure a one-run win. The right-hander has been dominant for the Yankees throughout the campaign, posting a 0.53 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 35:4 K:BB over 33.2 innings. Aroldis Chapman (Achilles) will likely return to action soon, but Holmes could continue to see save chances even after the veteran closer rejoins the club.

Hentges (1-0) walked one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Wednesday over the Twins.

Hentges pitched the eighth inning, and the Guardians rallied for four runs to take the lead in the ninth. He ended up with the win after Emmanuel Clase locked down the save. Through eight appearances in June, Hentges has allowed two runs, six hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. He's posted a stellar 1.50 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB with one hold in 24 innings overall.

Clase struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 11-10 win over the Twins.

There were a number of momentum shifts in this contest, but Clase finished it off with a drama-free frame. He needed just eight pitches to pick up his 17th save in 19 chances this year. The closer remains one of the more dominant relievers in the majors with a 1.48 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 33:4 K:BB through 30.1 innings. He hasn't allowed a run in his last 16 innings.

Alcala (elbow) will resume his throwing program next week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Alcala has been on the injured list since April 12 with right elbow inflammation. He made a rehab appearance June 1 but was later shut down again with tightness in his pitching elbow. He's still likely a long way away from returning, but at least he's showing some progress and his setback wasn't season ending.

Thompson (7-2) allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out seven across six innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Pirates.

Thompson surrendered a home run to Diego Castillo to begin the second inning but otherwise shut down the Pittsburgh offense. It was the second consecutive excellent outing for Thompson, as he's allowed only one earned run across 12 innings while maintaining a 16:3 K:BB. Thompson has been effective as both a starter and reliever this season, maintaining a 3.10 ERA across 61 frames.

Cabrera allowed two walks and hit a batter with one strikeout in two innings to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Brewers.

Cabrera put two on base with two outs in the ninth inning, but he got a groundout from Christian Yelich to end the threat. This was Cabrera's first save since 2020, but he's been part of the Cardinals' high-leverage mix with 10 holds this year. He's allowed three runs in 10.2 innings in June and now sports a 2.27 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB across 31.2 innings overall. Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos are still likely to see most of the save chances, but both of them covered two innings each in Tuesday's contest to allow Cabrera the opportunity to close Wednesday.

Pressly didn't allow a baserunner and had two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Mets.

Pressly threw 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes as he retired the Mets in order with minimal difficulty. The right-hander allowed runs in his first two appearances of June but has given up only two hits across his past four outings. He has a 2.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 18.2 innings while going 14-for-16 in save chances thus far in 2022.