MLB Player News

Duran struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 30th save of the season in a 4-2 win over Atlanta.

The right-hander hasn't blown a save chance since his last appearance in July, posting a 0.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB in 16 innings since the calendar flipped to August. Duran's 30 saves have him two shy of the career-high 32 he collected last season, and he's tied for third in the National League behind the Cardinals' Riley O'Brien (36) and the Padres' Mason Miller (32).

Pagan earned the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Brewers, allowing two hits and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Pagan was called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam to close the door. The 35-year-old has now converted 15 straight save opportunities, and he owns a 2.25 ERA over 20 second-half appearances. On the year, he's 21-for-24 in save chances with a 3.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 37:10 K:BB across 36.1 innings.

Assad didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Marlins, giving up three runs on three hits and five walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.

Called up earlier in the day for a spot start, Assad held Miami off the scoreboard for three innings before his control issues caught up to him. The right-hander exited after 88 pitches (51 strikes) with the Cubs ahead 5-2, as he missed a chance to record his seventh win of the season and tie his career high. It's not yet clear if Chicago will keep Assad around as a sixth starter or long reliever, or option him back to Triple-A Iowa in exchange for a fresh arm, but over five appearances and 18.1 big-league innings since the beginning of August he's delivered a 2.95 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB.

Zeferjahn tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the save in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Marlins. He walked one and struck out one.

With regular closer Jacob Webb (forearm) remaining out of action, Zeferjahn recorded his fifth save of the season and first since Aug. 2, when he was still a member of the Angels before getting traded to Chicago a day later. The righty reliever hasn't been particularly sharp with the Cubs yet, as he's recorded a 5.68 ERA across 12.2 innings with his new team. Zeferjahn still misses plenty of bats, and he should be given chances to turn things around down the stretch as a key member of Chicago's bullpen.

Scott allowed a run on three hits and struck out three in one inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Nationals.

Scott's shaky pitching continues -- he's allowed five runs over his last 8.1 innings, though he's still converted five of six save chances in that span. He needed 17 pitches (14 strikes) to get the job done Saturday for his 21st save of the campaign. Scott has a 2.67 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 70:12 K:BB through 57.1 innings. He's pitched three of the last four days, so he may be rested Sunday even if a save chance is available.

Gomez struck out one in a clean ninth inning to earn the save Saturday against the White Sox.

Gomez made quick work of the White Sox on Saturday, landing six of his seven pitches for strikes. After being designated for assignment by the Rays earlier this season, the right-hander has given the Twins stability at closer. He's successfully converted each of his 20 saves for Minnesota, posting a 2.49 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB across 43.1 innings with his new club.

Garcia earned a save against the Astros on Saturday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

After the game went into an extra frame, Arizona plated a run in the top of the 10th to take the lead. Manager Torey Lovullo then turned to Garcia, who came through with a 13-pitch scoreless inning to earn the save. The southpaw collected three saves over a 17-day span in July and August, but he hadn't picked up another save across his subsequent seven outings. Juan Morillo and Kevin Ginkel have each gotten into the saves column of late, and both pitched before the ninth inning Saturday, so Arizona's late-inning bullpen situation appears fluid.

Romano struck out one without allowing a run, hit or walk over two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in Saturday's 10-7 win over the Cardinals.

Juan Mejia wasn't able to make quick work of the Cardinals in the ninth inning, creating a save situation. Romano got the job done instead, rebounding from his blown save and loss Friday. Romano is now at a 4.88 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 31:15 K:BB across 27.2 innings between the Rockies and the Angels this year. He's converted 15 of 19 save chances while adding one hold. Considering Romano has pitched consecutive days, he may not be available to take a save chance Sunday.

Varland earned a save against the Royals on Saturday, striking out one batter in one perfect inning.

Varland had no wiggle room when he entered in the ninth inning tasked with protecting a one-run lead. The right-hander didn't flinch, retiring the side in order on 13 pitches (10 strikes). Varland registered his 11th straight appearance without an earned run, and he's gone 9-for-9 in save opportunities while recording a 13:3 K:BB across 12 innings during that span. He entered the campaign without a single save to his ledger over 112 career regular-season MLB appearances, but Varland has blossomed as Toronto's closer in 2026, as he ranks fourth in the majors with 33 saves in 34 chances.

Arrighetti will start Sunday's game in Kansas City, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

The Blue Jays had been considering deploying Arrighetti behind an opener for a second straight turn through the rotation, but the team now appears set to use the right-hander as a traditional starter in the series finale. Arrighetti has struggled to a 6.55 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with a 10:5 K:BB over 11 innings across three starts with Toronto, and he hasn't thrown more than 79 pitches in any of those outings.