MLB Player News

Garcia (1-6) allowed two runs on two hits while failing to record an out, taking the loss and a blown save versus the Mariners on Friday.

Garcia gave up a walk-off two-run home run to J.P. Crawford. This was Garcia's first blown save since June 14 versus the White Sox, though he also took a pair of losses while pitching to a 1.13 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over eight innings in July. The Rangers added Phil Maton from the Cardinals and Danny Coulombe from the Twins at the trade deadline, both of whom earned holds prior to Garcia's blown save. That suggests Garcia will maintain closing duties for now, though any extended struggles will likely cost him the role. He's managed a 3.05 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB with nine saves, 11 holds and four blown saves over 41.1 innings this season.

DeSclafani (1-2) allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while failing to record a strikeout over 2.1 innings, taking the loss Friday versus the Athletics.

DeSclafani threw 59 pitches (33 strikes) in this outing, one off his season high from July 6 versus the Royals. It was a poor start for the veteran right-hander, as he allowed all four runs in the first inning. DeSclafani is still relatively stretched out after serving as a multi-inning reliever a majority of the time since he signed with Arizona on June 15. He's struggled to a 4.91 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB through 25.2 innings across nine appearances (two starts). It's unclear if he'll be the rest-of-season answer in the rotation following the Diamondbacks' deal that sent Merrill Kelly to the Rangers on Thursday. DeSclafani is tentatively scheduled to make his next start at home versus the Padres.

Miller allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Friday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals.

The Padres' acquisition of Miller came amid a flurry of moves for the team, but Robert Suarez also remained in San Diego. That could lead to the creation of a closer committee. In Friday's contest, Miller was brought in to face the Cardinals' fifth through eighth hitters, while Suarez worked the ninth inning as the order turned over. Miller has youth on his side, but he was a little wild at times with the Athletics, posting a 3.76 ERA and 59:18 K:BB over 38.1 innings prior to the trade. Keep an eye on this bullpen in the coming weeks to see how the ninth-inning duties get divvied up.

Suarez allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-1 win over the Cardinals.

The Padres' bullpen got a massive boost with the addition of Mason Miller at Thursday's trade deadline, but it was still Suarez in the ninth inning -- and against the top of the Cardinals' order -- in Friday's game. Miller worked the eighth inning, allowing two hits in a scoreless frame. Manager Mike Shildt has plenty of high-leverage arms to work with, but it remains to be seen which reliever, if any, will get a clear-cut closer role. Suarez leads the majors with 31 saves and has a 3.35 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB across 45.2 innings this season, but he posted a 4.87 ERA over 20.1 innings in June and July combined, so his stability has potentially taken a hit. Nonetheless, it looks like Suarez is at least in the mix for save chances over the last two months of 2025.

Topa is likely to be used as the primary setup man ahead of new closer Cole Sands after the Twins traded most of their bullpen Thursday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He allowed a hit in a scoreless seventh inning in Friday's 3-2 loss against the Guardians.

Topa was used in the seventh inning with the Twins tied 2-2, which was a high-leverage role, though he was not being used with a lead. Still, Baldelli's comments show Topa will have an increased role in the bullpen and could be a candidate for save chances if Sands struggles.

Sands will likely work as the primary closer after the trades of Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Louis Varland, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Sands and Justin Topa to be prepared for late-inning high-leverage roles.

Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he's taken a step back this season with just an 18.8 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent last season. He's had the most success of the remaining bullpen arms, so he'll likely get a decent trial in the role. Topa will become the primary setup man.

Doval (4-3) was charged with the loss and a blown save in Friday's 13-12 loss to the Marlins, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk with no strikeouts in one-third of an inning.

Doval disappointed in his Yankees debut, taking his fifth blown save of the season. The hierarchy of New York's new-look bullpen following the acquisition of David Bednar is not entirely settled, though it's worth noting that Doval has struggled quite a bit recently and is seeing his fantasy stock drop. Since the start of June, the right-hander has a 5.64 ERA, 1.84 WHIP and 28:16 K:BB across 22.1 innings.

Bednar was charged with a blown save in Friday's 13-12 loss to the Marlins, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks in 1.2 innings. He struck out two.

Bednar didn't make an encouraging first impression in his team debut, giving up multiple runs for the first time since his May 19 outing versus the Reds. The 30-year-old right-hander should still work with the Yankees' high-leverage group going forward despite Friday's flop -- Bednar owns a 2.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 52:8 K:BB over his last 38.2 innings since and including April 19.

Rodriguez earned the save in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Mets, recording one walk and one strikeout in a scoreless 10th inning.

Rodriguez was called on to protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning, needing 16 pitches to secure his first save since officially being named the Giants' new closer. The 25-year-old has been one of baseball's top relievers, boasting a 1.17 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 63:10 K:BB across 46 innings with two saves and 13 holds. He should become even more valuable in his new role moving forward.

Ross (back) made his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless fourth inning. He struck out two.

Ross was sharp Friday, throwing 10 of his 15 pitches for strikes. The 32-year-old right-hander is rehabbing from back spasms, and he should be able to return to the Phillies in early August if all goes well. Ross will likely operate as a multi-inning middle reliever once he's activated from the injured list.