MLB Player News

Newcomb allowed an unearned run on two hits and a hit batsman and struck out three without walking a batter over 1.2 innings to earn the save in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Angels.

Tyler Ferguson put two runners on in the eighth inning, but Newcomb was able to defuse the situation. Newcomb then allowed a run in the ninth, but the Athletics' lead was never in any real danger after the team padded its advantage in the eighth. This was Newcomb's first save since the 2021 campaign with Atlanta. He's allowed just the one unearned run over his last nine appearances, a stretch that covers 11.2 innings and includes a 16:3 K:BB. He's in a late-inning role for now, but Saturday's usage doesn't suggest he's a primary option for saves, and the Athletics' overall struggles make those opportunities hard to come by anyway. Newcomb has maintained a 2.97 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 82:28 K:BB over 78.2 innings across 38 appearances (five starts) between the Athletics and the Red Sox this year.

Morales (1-0) allowed a run on five hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings to earn the win over the Angels on Saturday.

Morales had mixed results in his first start last Sunday versus the Orioles, but he was steady after a shaky first inning in his second start. This was a good enough effort for Morales to come away with his first big-league win in just his third appearance. He's pitched to a 1.86 ERA despite a 1.66 WHIP and 9:8 K:BB through 9.2 innings since he was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas. Morales is tentatively projected for a somewhat tough road start versus the Mariners next week.

Fairbanks allowed a hit and struck out three to earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Fairbanks continues to bounce back from a rough July with a strong August. While he allowed a hit for a third straight outing, he was able to secure his fourth straight save while extending his scoreless streak to six innings. Fairbanks is now 22-for-26 in save chances while pitching to a 2.53 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB through a career-high 46.1 innings.

Stratton picked up a save against the Guardians on Saturday, allowing three hits and striking out three batters over three scoreless innings.

Two days after he was recalled from Triple-A, Stratton was given the ball in the seventh frame after Atlanta rolled to a 10-1 lead. Rather than deploy multiple relievers the rest of the way, manager Brian Snitker let Stratton finish the contest, which he did in fine form, allowing just three baserunners (all on singles). The save was the right-hander's second of his career. There probably won't be many (if any) more opportunities for Stratton to build upon that number this year, as he's not a high-leverage part of Atlanta's bullpen.

Wentz (4-3) earned the victory over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six innings.

The only run the Guardians scored off Wentz came on a third-inning Brayan Rocchio homer. The left-handed hurler was otherwise outstanding, recording his second quality start of the campaign and his second straight victory. Wentz has done well since moving into Atlanta's rotation July 19, registering a 2.87 ERA with a 25:11 K:BB over 31.2 innings spanning six starts. As such, he seems like a lock to remain in a starting role even when Chris Sale (ribcage) comes off the IL, which is likely to happen before the end of August.

Chapman retired the only batter he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Marlins.

Chapman was called upon after the Marlins plated three two-out runs in the ninth, and he needed just three pitches to lock down his 22nd save. The 37-year-old has converted five straight chances and held opponents scoreless in 45 of 52 outings this season. He's 22-for-24 in save opportunities with a microscopic 1.15 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 66:13 K:BB across 47 innings.

Diaz earned the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Mariners, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with two strikeouts over two innings.

Diaz was tasked with a two-inning save and converted despite giving up a solo homer in the ninth. The 31-year-old has surrendered long balls in two of his past three outings, but those are the only earned runs he's allowed over his last 22 appearances dating back to June 6. On the year, he's 24-for-26 in save chances with a 1.69 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 70:17 K:BB across 48 innings.

Ferrer gave up a hit and struck out two in two scoreless innings Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Phillies.

Cade Cavalli brought right-handed heat for seven innings Saturday, so the Nationals turned to the southpaw Ferrer for the final two frames to wrap up an impressive combined shutout. The 25-year-old has been scored upon only once in his last 10 appearances, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB over 12 innings during that stretch while collecting two wins, two saves and three holds. Given his usage Saturday, and the fact that Ferrer has pitched on three of the last four days, expect Cole Henry to get the call Sunday should Washington have a late lead to protect.

Keller gave up a hit and struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Pirates.

With Daniel Palencia having pitched the day before, Keller got the call for a save situation and carved up the heart of Pittsburgh's order after allowing a leadoff single. The 30-year-old righty is seeing his stuff play up to a significant degree in shorter stints -- he topped out at 98 mph with his four-seamer Saturday, after spending most of his career as a starter sitting in the 92-94 mph range -- and while Palencia's closer job isn't in any jeopardy, Keller appears to be emerging as the Cubs' top right-handed setup man. In 11 appearances since the All-Star break, Keller hasn't allowed a run with a 15:2 K:BB over 12.1 innings, collecting four holds along with Saturday's save.

Gray went unclaimed after the Rangers placed him on outright waivers Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The Rangers were hoping another team would claim Gray and pay him the approximately $3 million he is owed over the rest of the season. Gray is a free agent after the season and is working as a long reliever. The Rangers are about to play 13 games in 13 days, so they may keep Gray around rather than pay him to go home, but they could also place him on waivers again before the Aug. 31 deadline for setting postseason rosters.