MLB Player News

Munoz picked up the save Wednesday against Kansas City, striking out one during a perfect ninth inning.

With the Mariners ahead by just one run, Munoz shut the door on the Royals emphatically, retiring Freddy Fermin, Kyle Isbel and Jonathan India in order. It was a much-needed rebound outing for the 26-year-old, who had allowed an unearned run in each of his last two appearances. Munoz has converted 19 of his 24 save opportunities this season and owns a 1.13 ERA over 32 innings.

Palencia picked up the save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Cleveland, allowing one unearned run on no hits and one walk with no strikeouts in the ninth inning.

The save was the 10th of the campaign for Palencia, who has stepped up as Chicago's clear favorite for saves. The right-hander has converted each of his last 10 save opportunities, turning in an outstanding 1.17 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB over his past 15.1 innings. The Cubs could look to upgrade their bullpen ahead of the trade deadline later this month, but it appears the team's closing job is Palencia's to lose for the time being.

Zeferjahn (5-2) was tagged with a blown save and the loss in the Angels' 8-3 defeat to Atlanta on Wednesday. He allowed five runs on four hits and two walks without recording an out.

With two on and two out, Zeferjahn replaced Yusei Kikuchi in the sixth to protect the Angels' two-run lead. That lead didn't last long, as the first pitch Zeferjahn threw was smacked deep to left-center field by Sean Murphy for a three-run homer. Things didn't get better for Zeferjahn, who allowed the next three runners on base before giving up a grand slam, and he ended his outing tossing just seven of 16 pitches for strikes. Zeferjahn has given up at least one run in four of his last five outings and has logged three blown saves in that span. Wednesday's outing ballooned his numbers to a 6.19 ERA and 1.59 WHIP across 32 innings this season.

Sousa secured the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Rockies, allowing one run on three hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Closer Josh Hader was presumably unavailable after notching the save in Tuesday's victory over Colorado, opening up a rare save opportunity for Sousa. Through 32.1 frames, Sousa has emerged as a weapon out of Houston's bullpen with a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 40:7 K:BB. The southpaw has also converted each of his three save chances to go with two holds this year, but he should continue to serve primarily as a middle reliever and setup man going forward.

The Phillies optioned Johnson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres.

Johnson pitched two shutout innings and struck out two batters in the Phillies' 6-4 loss to the Padres on Wednesday in the first game of the day, lowering his ERA to 2.25 through four big-league frames. He'll head back to the minors now that his duties as the 27th man for the twin bill are complete, but he remains an option to return to Philadelphia down the line as a multi-inning reliever.

Hoffman earned the save in Wednesday's 11-9 win over the Yankees, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hoffman was called upon to protect a two-run lead and closed out a back-and-forth contest on just 14 pitches. Since June 1, the 32-year-old has allowed only two earned runs across 13 appearances while converting seven of eight save chances. For the season, he's 20-for-24 in save opportunities with a 4.71 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 50:10 K:BB over 36.1 innings.

The Padres optioned Marinaccio to Triple-A El Paso following Wednesday's doubleheader with the Phillies.

Marinaccio will return to the minors without appearing in either of Wednesday's games. The 30-year-old righty owns a 4.70 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 30.2 innings at the Triple-A level this season but could return to San Diego later in the summer if the big club needs a fresh bullpen arm.

Uceta collected the save in the Rays' 6-5 win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out three batters.

After striking out the side in the eighth, Eric Orze was brought out for the ninth to protect the Rays' four-run lead, as Pete Fairbanks was unavailable after pitching the last two days. Orze was quickly pulled after yielding a solo homer to Max Muncy and a double to Austin Wynns, which prompted Uceta's insertion into Wednesday's game. Uceta gave up a single to four of the next five batters, but he managed to protect Tampa Bay's lead by striking out the last two batters he faced. Uceta has coughed up at least one earned run in three of his last five outings but has also collected 14 strikeouts over that span. He sits at a 5.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 36.1 innings this season.

Diaz earned the save in a 7-3 win over the Brewers in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader, striking out three across 1.1 perfect innings.

Diaz was called upon in the eighth inning after the Brewers got the tying run to the plate with two outs. He'd strike out Jake Bauers to retire the side before setting Milwaukee down in order in the ninth, securing his 16th save in 17 chances this year. Diaz has turned in eight straight scoreless appearances (7.2 innings), allowing just four hits and a walk while striking out 10 in that span. His ERA is down to 1.91 with a 0.91 WHIP and 49 strikeouts across 33 innings this season.

Spence (2-4) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out five across five-plus innings. He did not issue a walk.

Spence was in control through the first five innings, with his lone blemish coming in the second when he gave up an inside-the-park home run to Jake Mangum. Spence entered the sixth looking to collect his first quality start of the season, but things quickly got out of hand after giving up a solo homer to Josh Lowe before yielding a two-run long shot to Yandy Diaz just two batters later. Spence has given up four earned runs in two of his last three outings, and in his six starts he sports a 3.64 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across 29.2 innings. He is slated to start against Atlanta at home next week, which might be his last turn in the rotation before the All-Star break.