MLB Player News

Romano struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Monday to record his 12th save of the season in a 2-1 win over the White Sox.

The right-hander has been dominant in August, posting a 2.00 ERA and 18:3 K:BB through nine innings while picking up a win and three saves. Toronto's bullpen has been an issue all season, but the closer role at least seems to be in good hands with Romano.

Mantiply allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Monday's 6-5 loss to Pittsburgh.

The Diamondbacks had a 5-2 lead entering the seventh inning, but the combination of Taylor Clarke and Mantiply let the Pirates tie it up. Mantiply made his first appearance since Aug. 12 after spending time on the COVID-19 injury list. He, like several others in the bullpen, is pitching for a spot on next season's roster.

Clarke allowed two runs on one hit and one walk over a third of an inning in Monday's 6-5 loss to the Pirates.

The Diamondbacks held a 5-2 lead when Clarke entered to start the seventh inning, before the game was knotted at five by the time he and Joe Mantiply finished the inning. The 28-year-old former starter had been a reliable reliever until a shoulder injury shut him down in June. At the time, he had a 3.74 ERA, including a 2.37 stretch from May 1 to June 14. He's been less effective since his return earlier this month, giving up seven runs over eight appearances (9.45 ERA). It's a small sample, which can be attributed to the injury, but with spots in the 2022 bullpen wide open, the Diamondbacks would like to see the earlier version of Clarke cement a spot on next season's roster.

Bednar struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Monday to record his second save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

The 26-year-old appears to be locking down the closer role and has saves in each of his last two appearances -- Pittsburgh's only two saves since the team dealt Richard Rodriguez to Atlanta. Bednar has been especially impressive in August, posting a 0.84 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB over 10.2 innings.

Crowe didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks, coughing up five runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander fell apart in the fifth inning, and Crowe exited the game on the hook for his eighth loss of the season until the Bucs rallied in the bottom of the seventh. He hasn't completed five innings in any of his last four starts, and Crowe will carry a 5.46 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 84:43 K:BB through 89 innings into his next outing.

Lovelady allowed a hit and struck out one without allowing a run in two-thirds of an inning to earn a hold in Monday's 7-1 win over Houston.

The southpaw entered with one out in the seventh inning with Kansas City leading 4-1. Lovelady has earned two holds in his last five outings, and he's only allowed three hits while striking out six in that 5.1 inning span. For the year, he has a 3.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB while adding a 2-0 record and one save in 18.2 innings. While he probably won't be a regular late-inning option, he's pitched well enough to warrant more high-leverage work lately.

Trivino (5-6) blew the save and took the loss in Monday's 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Mariners, allowing three runs on four hits with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning.

After surrendering the lead in a save situation Saturday, Trivino did so once again Monday. Oakland's closer opened the ninth by permitting a homer and two more hits before settling down with two strikeouts, though an ensuing Jake Bauers two-run single prompted his removal. The pair of poor outings raises Trivino's ERA from 1.72 to 2.43, though they come on the heels of 10 innings without an earned run.

Sewald saved Monday's 5-3 victory over the Athletics, striking out one in a clean ninth.

After Seattle scored three in the top of the inning, Sewald entered in the ninth and slammed the door on the middle of Oakland's order. The 31-year-old has had himself quite the week since returning from the paternity list Tuesday, recording a win, three saves and a hold in five innings, and appears to be leading Seattle's closer committee.

Bard (7-6) gave up a two-run homer and recorded one strikeout in Monday's loss to the Cubs.

Bard entered a 4-4 game in the ninth inning and gave up a walkoff shot to Rafael Ortega, giving him his sixth loss of the year. He's allowed five runs over his last 3.1 innings, raising his season ERA to 4.68. It was Bard's first loss since July 6 and he's still 20-for-27 in save chances on the year.

Rodriguez (2-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning and picked up the win Monday against the Rockies. He struck out one.

Rodriguez pitched a 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning in a 4-4 game, then earned the win when the Cubs scored twice in the bottom part of the frame. The 25-year-old has emerged as a candidate for saves in Chicago with Craig Kimbrel getting traded. Codi Heuer is also in the mix. Rodriguez has pitched well with a 2.70 ERA and looks like a decent fantasy option if he keeps seeing late-inning work.