MLB Player News

Diaz struck out three batters and walked one in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday, securing a save over the Blue Jays.

Diaz issued a one-out walk to Vladimir Guerrero but still locked down his 21st save of the season. He converted two saves in the weekend series against Toronto after blowing his previous three chances. The 27-year-old now owns a 4.08 ERA with a 58:17 K:BB while going 21-for-25 in save opportunities this season.

Atlanta plans to call up Wilson from Triple-A Gwinnett to start the second game of Monday's doubleheader with the Mets, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Wilson will presumably be designated as Atlanta's 27th man for the twin bill, just as he was for last Wednesday's doubleheader with the Padres. He also started the second game of that doubleheader, working four innings in the outing while giving up five runs on eight hits and no walks. The depleted Atlanta pitching staff could surely use another capable arm, but Wilson still looks like he'll be the odd man out of the rotation when the team will be able to scale down to five starters following Monday's twin bill. He's submitted a 6.46 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across his seven starts in the majors in 2021.

Kelly tweaked his hamstring in the ninth inning of Sunday's win over the Rockies, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kenley Jansen had pitched on three of the last four days, so Kelly entered Sunday's game in the ninth inning for the save opportunity. The right-hander allowed one hit and no walks while striking out one in a scoreless inning to earn the fourth save of his career and his first since 2019. However, manager Dave Roberts revealed after the game that Kelly suffered a hamstring injury while fielding a grounder, and he'll be evaluated Monday.

Sims (elbow) will make his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Sims is ready to begin the final phase of his recovery process from the right elbow sprain that has kept him on the shelf for the past month. He'll likely need to make at least two appearances at Louisville before rejoining the Reds, but once activated, Sims should factor into the late-inning mix for the big club. Before the injury cropped up, Sims registered seven saves in nine chances on the season, but he'll likely be behind Heath Hembree in the bullpen pecking order upon returning.

Curtiss struck out two batters in a perfect inning as the opener in Sunday's win over the Padres.

Curtiss needed just 10 pitches to set down the top of San Diego's lineup in order. He lowered his season ERA to 2.56 with a 40:9 K:BB through 38.2 innings. The 28-year-old righty will move back to the bullpen but could be used as an opener again at some point soon with Trevor Rogers (back) on the injured list.

The Rays claimed Reed off waivers from the Dodgers on Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Durham, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 28-year-old Reed reached the big leagues for the first time in 2021, making six appearances out of the Los Angeles bullpen before being designated for assignment Wednesday. While his ratios in his limited sample of MLB action weren't anything special, Reed's 28:7 K:BB across 21 innings in the minors this season intrigued the Rays enough to put in a waiver claim for him. If he continues to impress at Durham, he could earn a look in the Tampa Bay bullpen later this season.

Sulser (3-2) tossed a perfect third of an inning to earn the win over the Nationals on Sunday.

Sulser entered Sunday's game with runners on first and second in the top of the ninth inning. The right-hander was able to record the final out of the inning to keep the deficit at one run, and he earned his third win of the year when the Orioles came back in the bottom half of the frame. Sulser hasn't allowed a run in 3.2 innings across his last five appearances, and he should continue to see high-leverage opportunities.

Anderson (elbow) is scheduled to pitch one inning Monday in his second rehab appearance for the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Sidelined since late in spring training with a partial ligament tear in his right elbow, Anderson made his 2021 debut in affiliated ball Friday, striking out two over a scoreless frame in the FCL. He'll stick around with the affiliate for at least one more outing before the Rays determine whether he's ready to move his rehab to a higher-level affiliate. Anderson looks to be trending toward an early August return from the 60-day injured list, and he could quickly resurface as a late-inning weapon for Tampa Bay. Though he struggled in the 2020 postseason in part due to pitching at less-than-optimal health, Anderson was dominant in the 60-game regular season, posting a microscopic 0.55 ERA and 0.49 WHIP while striking out 26 and grabbing six saves over 16.1 1innings.

Kimbrel retired a single batter to secure the save in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Chicago started the ninth inning with Dillon Maples, but he allowed a run and put another two runners on base with two outs, so the Cubs turned to Kimbrel to end the threat. The veteran reliever now has 23 saves this season in 25 chances, and he has an elite 0.50 ERA. After down years in 2019 and 2020, Kimbrel has reclaimed his spot as a top fantasy option.

Helsley (5-4) retired both batters he faced, one by strikeout, to earn the win Sunday versus Cincinnati.

After a wild effort from Johan Oviedo, Helsley was called upon to get the last two outs of the fifth inning. He did so on just six pitches, and that was enough for the 27-year-old to collect the win. Helsley has been solid in his last 20 innings, allowing six runs while posting a 14:9 K:BB in that span. For the year, he has a 4.79 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB in 41.1 innings, but he's improved throughout the season. The right-hander has added one save, one blown save and seven holds.