MLB Player News
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Kevin Ginkel RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: In closer mix
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Ginkel is among a few relievers that could get save opportunities with Shelby Miller (forearm) on the 15-day injured list, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. "We're gonna piece it together the best way we can," Lovullo said. "I'm not gonna say anybody's gonna close the game."
Ginkel received the first closing opportunity since Miller landed on the IL and successfully converted the save in Monday's 6-3 win over San Diego. Ginkel has history closing games with the Diamondbacks, but it's wise for the manager to not rely solely on a reliever that owns a grisly 9.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 2025. Weiner's report also mentioned Jalen Beeks (16 career saves) and rookies Kyle Backhus and Juan Morillo. The manager acknowledged that the two rookies will need to pitch in high-leverage situations going forward.
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Joey Cantillo SP | CLE
Guardians' Joey Cantillo: Fans season-high seven Tuesday
Cantillo didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Astros, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out seven.
The seven strikeouts were a season high for Cantillo, who produced his longest outing of the year. The 25-year-old left-hander generated 15 whiffs on the evening, but he's now walked a trio of batters in each of his two starts since joining Cleveland's rotation. Cantillo owns a serviceable 3.79 ERA and 48:20 K:BB over 35.2 innings, but his 1.46 WHIP is a cause for concern. He should still carry some streaming appeal this weekend in scheduled matchup against the lowly White Sox.
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Jordan Romano RP | LAA
Phillies' Jordan Romano: Implodes in ninth inning
Romano (1-4) allowed three runs on three hits in one inning, taking a blown save and the loss in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Giants.
Daniel Robert retired just one of three batters he faced in the eighth inning. Romano was able to clean up that mess, but he made one of his own in the ninth and couldn't escape it. Patrick Bailey knocked an inside-the-park home run after Romano allowed a double to Casey Schmitt and a single to Wilmer Flores. Romano has allowed seven runs over his last four outings, and this was his first save chance since he converted one May 29 versus Atlanta. He's struggled all year with a 7.44 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB over 32.2 innings, picking up eight saves, six holds and three blown saves. The Phillies' bullpen is a mess, but Romano's ongoing struggles likely mean Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm will continue to get more save chances.
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Taijuan Walker SP | PHI
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Fine effort in starting role
Walker allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings in a no-decision Tuesday versus the Giants.
Walker struggled in the second inning, but he escaped with just one run on his ledger. This was his first start since May 30 -- he allowed five runs over 11 innings across nine relief appearances, going 1-1 with a hold and two blown saves during his time in the bullpen. Overall, Walker has a decent 3.55 ERA with a poor 1.30 WHIP and 49:24 K:BB through 58.1 innings over 20 appearances (nine starts) this season. It remains to be seen if he'll continue to function as a starter after the All-Star break.
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Robert Suarez RP | ATL
Padres' Robert Suarez: Locks down save Tuesday
Suarez struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks.
Suarez threw just 11 of 20 pitches for strikes, but it was good enough to keep a clean line. This was his third straight scoreless outing, and he's allowed just one hit while adding four strikeouts over three innings in that span. He retook sole possession of the major-league lead in saves with his 26th of the year, and he's added a 3.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB over 38.2 innings.
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Ryan Helsley RP | BAL
Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Tallies 18th save Tuesday
Helsley notched the save in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Washington, allowing one hit and one walk with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.
Helsley picked up save No. 18 on the campaign, and he's now tied with three other relivers for the fourth-highest mark in the National League. The 30-year-old right-hander had a very shaky stretch to open June during which he allowed one run in four consecutive outings to begin the month, but he's since settled back in nicely. Over his last six appearances, Helsley hasn't yielded a run while converting each of his five save chances.
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Jhoan Duran RP | PHI
Twins' Jhoan Duran: Battling illness
Duran was unavailable for Tuesday's 8-1 win over the Cubs due to an illness, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
The Twins sent Duran home early Tuesday to prevent him from spreading his illness to his teammates, but he'll likely be back in the bullpen within a few days. In the meantime, Minnesota could turn to Louis Varland or Griffin Jax for any save chances that may arise.
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Carlos Estevez RP | KC
Royals' Carlos Estevez: Earns third win
Estevez (3-2) earned a win against Pittsburgh on Tuesday. He allowed a hit in a scoreless inning and did not record a strikeout.
Estevez worked around a one-out double by Ke'Bryan Hayes to keep the score 3-3 before the Royals walked it off in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was Estevez's first win since May 25, and he has thrown two shutout frames since allowing a run against Seattle on July 3. He dropped his ERA to 2.67 with a 32:14 K:BB across 39 frames.
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Nick Sandlin RP | LAA
Blue Jays' Nick Sandlin: Placed on 15-day IL
Sandlin (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Sandlin returned to action June 20 after missing two months with a right lat strain, posting a 2.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with six strikeouts over 8.1 innings in nine appearances out of the bullpen. He will now likely be sidelined for another prolonged period of time as he deals with a second injury to his throwing arm, the elbow in this instance. Justin Bruihl was called up from Triple-A Buffalo to replace Sandlin on the major-league roster.
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Justin Bruihl RP | STL
Blue Jays' Justin Bruihl: Back with Jays
The Blue Jays recalled Bruihl from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Bruihl was optioned to Triple-A on Friday, but with Nick Sandlin (elbow) moving to the IL, the Jays will bring the former back into their big-league bullpen. Bruihl has given up one run in 3.1 innings over his four MLB outings this season and is likely ticketed for a middle-relief role while with Toronto.