MLB Player News

Banks threw a clean eighth inning in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Angels. He struck out one.

Banks logged his third hold of the season, and it was a nice recovery after he yielded three runs over his prior two outings. With fellow southpaw Matt Strahm having moved into the closing mix for the Phillies, Banks should see a larger share of high-leverage work until Jose Alvarado (suspension) returns. Banks has a reliable 3.56 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 43:6 K:BB over 43 innings this year.

Megill pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Dodgers.

Megill pitched a perfect inning for his fifth appearance in a row, four of which have come in two separate series versus the Dodgers. He's earned saves on back-to-day days, so he might not be available for a save chance if one arises Sunday. Megill is now at a 2.27 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB with 23 saves in 26 chances through 35.2 innings this season.

Wentz did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two hits and one walk over four scoreless innings in a 12-9 loss against the Yankees. He struck out two.

Wentz pitched well with four shutout frames, though the Atlanta bullpen followed with a disastrous performance. The southpaw has bounced between three teams this season with mixed results, but he's off to a strong start in Atlanta, posting seven scoreless innings across two appearances. Saturday marked his first start of the year, so it remains to be seen whether he sticks in the rotation or shifts back to a bullpen role.

Finnegan earned the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Padres, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Finnegan was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and needed just 10 pitches to do so. It was a strong rebound for the 33-year-old after surrendering eight runs over his previous two appearances, including a five-run loss Friday. He's now 19-for-25 in save chances this season with a 4.25 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB across 36 innings.

Bender struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Royals.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough continues to mix and match his high-leverage options, as none of them have really stepped up to seize the closing job. Calvin Faucher blew a save chance in the ninth inning Friday, while Ronny Henriquez worked the eighth inning both Friday and Saturday, leaving the ninth to Bender in the latter contest. Two of Bender's saves on the season have come since July 7, and he's riding an 11-appearance shutout streak in which he's posted a 0.62 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 11.1 innings with two wins and five holds. That impressive stretch could earn him more save chances, but it could also make him a prime candidate to get moved at the trade deadline.

Latz will start in place of Nathan Eovaldi (back) in Sunday's game against the Tigers in Arlington, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Eovaldi was scheduled for the start opposite Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, but the Rangers righty has been scratched due to tightness in his back. In Eovaldi's place, Latz will step in for what will most likely be a spot start, unless Eovaldi requires a stint on the injured list. The lefty previously made two starts this season, topping out at six innings and 88 pitches June 24 versus Baltimore. Latz has pitched well overall this season, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 48:21 K:BB over 48 frames spanning 21 appearances.

Erceg (4-3) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks in an inning of relief as the Royals fell 3-1 to the Marlins. He struck out one.

Called in for the bottom of the eighth inning after Kansas City had tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the frame, Erceg handed the lead right back to Miami, although his line was somewhat misleading -- two of the walks he issued were intentional, and he threw 11 of 18 pitches for strikes. Carlos Estevez has blown three straight save chances, so the door could be open a crack for Erceg to work his way into the ninth-inning mix, but this performance won't encourage manager Matt Quatraro to switch things up. Through nine appearances in July, Erceg carries a 4.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over nine innings.

Pagan allowed a hit and a run while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 21st save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Mets.

The 34-year-old righty established a career high in saves, surpassing the 20 he collected in 2019 -- the only other time he's reached double digits in his big-league career. Pagan is doing his best to improve his trade value as the deadline approaches, and over his last 10 appearances he's posted a 0.96 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 9.1 innings while converting all four of his save chances.

Walker did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Angels, allowing three runs on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts over four innings.

Walker opened with three scoreless innings before giving up back-to-back homers in a three-run fourth. The 32-year-old threw 50 of 70 pitches for strikes but generated just four whiffs and has completed only four frames in both of his starts since rejoining the rotation July 8. He'll take a 3.75 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 53:25 K:BB across 62.1 innings into a tough matchup with the Yankees next weekend.

Hoffman gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Giants.

After striking out the side Friday in a perfect ninth inning in a non-save situation, Hoffman came back the next day and shut down San Francisco once again. The right-hander has been tagged with earned runs in only one of his last 12 appearances, posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB over 11.1 innings during that stretch while converting six of seven save chances.