MLB Player News

Raley (COVID-19 protocols) threw live batting practice Friday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Raley, who was placed on the injured list for health and safety protocols July 8, had made one rehab appearance this past Tuesday for Triple-A Sugar Land before engaging in Friday's session. The Astros did not have an update on his next step.

Melancon gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 30th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Marlins.

The veteran closer continues to thrive in San Diego. Melancon leads the majors in saves by a wide margin, as Liam Hendriks and Alex Reyes are tied for second with 23, and he's blown just one of his last 12 chances. On the season, Melancon carries a 2.09 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB through 43 innings.

Diaz struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 20th save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Blue Jays.

The right-hander was dialed in, firing nine of 10 pitches for strikes while carving up the heart of the Toronto order. The performance was a far cry from Diaz's previous few efforts as he'd blown three straight save chances coming into Friday, but Mets manager Luis Rojas doesn't seem ready to yank him from the closer spot quite yet.

Iglesias (6-4) allowed a run on two hits in one inning, taking a blown save and the loss versus Minnesota on Friday.

Tony Watson walked Miguel Sano to start the inning, and Iglesias allowed the inherited runner to score. An error by catcher Kurt Suzuki on Ryan Jeffers' single also allowed the go-ahead run, charged to Iglesias, to score. The right-hander is now 20-for-24 in save chances with a 3.45 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 66:8 K:BB across 44.1 innings this season. With a lack of other effective closing options this year, manager Joe Maddon is unlikely to let one hiccup from Iglesias lead to a role change.

Lopez allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out three in 4.2 innings in Friday's win over the Nationals. He didn't factor into the decision.

Lopez had some issues with command and only threw 45 of his 82 pitches for strikes, but he was able to limit Washington's run production. However, he fell just short of qualifying for the win since he was removed from the game with two outs in the fourth inning. The right-hander had been charged with six consecutive losses leading up to the All-Star break, but he's now settled for no-decisions in each of his last two outings. Lopez tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Detroit on Thursday.

Rogers allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Angels.

Minnesota trailed for much of the game but finally pulled ahead in the eighth inning, and Rogers was able to make the one-run lead stand. It's his second straight scoreless outing after he allowed six runs (five earned) across his previous two appearances. Rogers is now 9-for-13 in save chances with a 3.35 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 59:8 K:BB across 40.1 innings. He's added eight holds while mainly sharing the closer role with Hansel Robles this year.

Wittgren (2-3) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Rays after allowing five runs on three hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.

Wittgren entered the game to pitch the ninth inning with the score tied 4-4, but he was absolutely woeful. By the time he departed the game, Cleveland was down by five runs and he recorded just one out. The right-hander has looked far from dominant in recent outings, giving up runs in five of his last nine appearances. He has allowed 10 runs over nine innings during that span.

Fleming didn't factor into the decision Friday against Cleveland after allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while fanning one across four innings.

Fleming has not completed five innings in any of his last four starts and hasn't tossed a quality start since May 1, so it seems he simply can't be trusted to pitch deep into games. The southpaw has also allowed at least three runs in three of his last five outings while posting an 11:7 K:BB in that span.

Thompson allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two in three innings to earn the save against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Thompson entered Friday's game in the seventh inning with the Cubs leading 8-2. Although he gave up a solo home run to Daulton Varsho in the top of the ninth, he otherwise held the Diamondbacks in check to earn his first career save. The right-hander has now posted a 2.27 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 39.2 innings this season, but he likely won't see much high-leverage action.

Cleavinger was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Cleavinger has been effective while serving mainly as a low-leverage reliever in the majors this year, as he's posted a 2.12 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 17 innings across 20 appearances (one start). The southpaw will now head to the minors after Darien Nunez was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.