MLB Player News

Sauer (1-1) allowed nine runs on 13 hits and three walks while striking out six over 4.2 innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Padres.

Sauer was terrible, but he was able to absorb some innings for a pitching staff that was lacking in fresh arms. This performance could make Sauer's current stay with the big club a short one, especially after he needed 111 pitches (69 strikes) Tuesday. His ERA spiked up to 5.68 with a 1.38 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB across 25.1 innings over eight appearances (one start) at the big-league level.

Spence allowed three hits and struck out four without walking a batter over five scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Tuesday.

Spence has allowed one run over 10 innings across two starts since joining the Athletics' rotation. He stretched out to 75 pitches (50 strikes) in Tuesday's start, so he should be close to a full workload within his next couple of outings. His strong performance as a starter has trimmed his ERA from 4.38 to 3.67, and he's added a 1.20 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB over 49 innings this season. The right-hander is not guaranteed to stay in the rotation once J.T. Ginn (quadriceps) is ready to be activated from the injured list -- it'll likely come down to Spence or Jacob Lopez for the No. 5 starter role, but Spence has the better numbers.

Finnegan was charged with a blown save during Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Mets, allowing no runs on one hit with one strikeout over 1.1 innings.

Finnegan stepped into the contest in the bottom of the eighth with a one-run lead, two outs and an inherited runner on second base. The 33-year-old closer surrendered a hit to Pete Alonso that plated the runner on second, but Alonso was thrown out attempting to stretch the hit out into a double. Still, the hit tied the game and resulted in Finnegan's fourth blown save of the campaign. In his last 10 appearances, Finnegan has allowed four runs (two earned) on 10 hits and a 6:1 K:BB across 10 innings. He's converted seven of his nine save chances during that stretch.

Hoffman picked up the save in Tuesday's 10-9 win over St. Louis, recording one out after giving up one run in the ninth inning.

Hoffman entered with two runners aboard and two outs in the frame, and he promptly served up a three-run home run to Willson Contreras. The right-hander quickly recovered, however, getting Alec Burleson to ground out on his second and final pitch of the outing for his 17th save this year. Hoffman has struggled mightily in the past month or so -- he has an 11.20 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over his last 13.2 innings -- but the Blue Jays have displayed consistent trust in Hoffman as their closer throughout the campaign.

Megill picked up the save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Atlanta, throwing a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts.

After giving up two runs in a blown save Saturday against the Padres, Megill righted the ship Tuesday for his 13th save of the campaign. The hard-throwing right-hander has still been excellent for the most part over his last 17.2 innings, posting a 2.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB over that span as Milwaukee's clear-cut closer.

Vest allowed a run in an inning of work but managed to secure the save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Orioles. He struck out one.

Vest had a little wiggle room, so the solo shot he allowed to Jordan Westburg was of little consequence, and the veteran righty managed to secure his 11th save of the year in 13 chances. Vest has been lights out with a 1.89 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 33.1 innings, and he leads the team in saves, with Tommy Kahnle sitting behind him with eight. Kahnle will continue to see high-leverage work, but Vest has done enough to remain Detroit's top closing option for the time being.

The Diamondbacks transferred Mena (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Mena landed on the injured list Saturday due to a teres major strain in his right shoulder. Now that he's on the 60-day IL, he won't be eligible to return to the D-backs' bullpen until early August. His spot on the 40-man roster will be given to Tayler Scott, who was selected from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

The Diamondbacks placed Montes De Oca on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right elbow inflammation.

Montes De Oca reported discomfort in his elbow after Monday's contest, and an MRI revealed inflammation Tuesday. He'll remain on the shelf for at least the next 15 days as a result, and with Jeff Brigham and Justin Martinez (elbow) also leaving the active roster, the D-backs will bring in Kevin Ginkel, Bryce Jarvis and Tayler Scott as bullpen reinforcements.

The Diamondbacks optioned Brigham to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Brigham's demotion comes after he surrendered three runs without recording an out during Monday's win over Seattle. With Justin Martinez (elbow) and Christian Montes De Oca (elbow) moving to the IL, the D-backs will call up Kevin Ginkel, Bryce Jarvis and Tayler Scott to reinforce their bullpen.

The Diamondbacks selected Scott's contract from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

Scott will come up alongside Kevin Ginkel and Bryce Jarvis to replace Jeff Brigham, Justin Martinez (elbow) and Christian Montes De Oca (elbow) in Arizona's bullpen. Scott, 33, turned in a 5.40 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 16.2 innings during his time with the Astros this year, though he's fired 3.1 shutout innings in Triple-A since joining the D-backs organization.