MLB Player News

Backhus allowed a hit and struck out two without walking a batter over two innings to earn the save in Monday's 6-2 win over the Padres.

Backhus entered the game in the eighth inning when Arizona was up 5-2, and he got a little insurance from his teammates before staying in for the ninth. Backhus was one of three relievers available who hadn't pitched on either of the last two days, so his staying in for a two-inning save was likely a bit of bullpen management by manager Torey Lovullo. The Diamondbacks' bullpen has lost a number of closer candidates, but Backhus is not expected to be at the top of the list -- Kendall Graveman and Jalen Beeks are the current favorites for saves following Kevin Ginkel's (shoulder) placement on the injured list Monday. Overall, Backhus has an underwhelming 3.77 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB over 14.1 innings while adding five holds as a 27-year-old rookie this season.

Borucki threw 1.2 scoreless innings without allowing a baserunner and striking out two Monday against the Giants.

The Pirates' bullpen was taxed after a short start from Johan Oviedo, and Borucki was relied upon for key innings late in the game. He delivered a strong performance in his first appearance since being activated from the injured list Friday and could be used in a setup role or other high-leverage spots to close the season.

Pagan notched a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Pagan entered in the ninth inning with Cincinnati up 3-2. He battled for a seven-pitch strikeout of Seiya Suzuki, then fanned Carson Kelly on six pitches before getting Willi Castro to ground out to end the game. Pagan had given up four runs (three earned) over his previous three appearances, so this was a much-needed smooth outing for him. The right-hander is up to 24 saves on the season, tied for seventh-most in the majors.

Williams was charged with a blown save in Monday's 8-5 extra-inning loss to the Rangers, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in one inning. He struck out one.

Williams was summoned to protect a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning, but he was taken deep by Joc Pederson for a solo shot that knotted the game up at five runs apiece. The right-hander is beginning to show glimpses of his early-season woes, which unseated him from the closer's role at one point, as he has a 6.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 17:5 K:BB over his last 12 frames since the start of July. Additionally, Williams now has plenty of competition for save chances in the form of Luke Weaver, David Bednar and Camilo Doval.

Megill earned the save in in Monday's 3-1 win over Atlanta, throwing a spotless ninth inning. He struck out one.

The save was Megill's 25th of the year, and he hasn't given up a run since the start of July. The 31-year-old right-hander has just about been a lights-out closer for the Brewers in 2025 -- Megill owns a 1.52 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB over his last 29.2 innings since the beginning of May.

Enright earned the save in Monday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Mets, allowing one unearned run on one hit and no walks with no strikeouts in the 10th inning.

It was the first save of the season for Enright, who hasn't conceded an earned run over his last six outings. Although the Guardians are without closer Emmanuel Clase while he's on non-disciplinary paid leave, Cade Smith, who worked the ninth inning Monday, remains the favorite for saves out of Cleveland's bullpen. That said, Enright does have a strong 2.01 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB over 22.1 innings.

Chapman earned the save in Monday's 8-5 win over the Royals, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Chapman was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and needed just 13 pitches to get the job done. The veteran southpaw has converted four straight save chances since blowing just his second of the season on July 26, delivering six straight scoreless appearances without allowing a hit during that stretch. On the year, he's 21-for-23 in save opportunities with a stellar 1.21 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 65:13 K:BB across 44.2 innings.

Rodriguez (3-3) blew the save and took the loss in Monday's game against the Pirates. He allowed two runs on a hit, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout.

Rodriguez was seeking to convert his second straight save since Camilo Doval was traded to the Yankees at the deadline. Things were shaky from the start, as the flamethrowing righty walked Andrew McCutchen to open the ninth. After placing another runner aboard via a hit-by-pitch, Joey Bart knotted the game at 4-4 with an RBI single. The next batter, Isiah Kiner-Falefa then plated the winning run on a groundball fielder's choice. Rodriguez should continue to serve as the main saves option in San Francisco; however, if he blows future opportunities, former Giants closer Ryan Walker is waiting in the wings. Rodriguez has pitched to a 1.54 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 64:11 K:BB across 46.2 total innings.

Vest was not used in Monday's 6-3 win over the Twins, with Kyle Finnegan instead recording the save for the Tigers with a clean ninth inning.

Finnegan, who came over from the Nationals in a trade last week, has now recorded Detroit's last two saves. Vest worked the eighth inning ahead of Finnegan on Saturday and then didn't appear the last two days, though he did log a total of 29 pitches across outings on Friday and Saturday. It appears that Finnegan might be moving ahead of Vest as the Tigers' top closing option, but the situation remains fluid as manager A.J. Hinch is known to mix and match at the end of games. At the very least, Vest's fantasy value has taken a hit with the arrival of Finnegan, as the former is no longer a lock to see save chances.

Adams did not factor into the decision in Monday's 6-3 loss at Detroit, conceding two runs on four hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

The Minnesota rookie fared well in his first career start after logging four relief appearances this season. Adams generated an astounding 16 whiffs out his 63 total pitches against a Detroit squad that entered the contest ranked sixth in total runs scored. The lone blemish on the right-hander's performance was a two-run homer given up to Wenceel Perez in the fifth. Given this impressive outing, it's possible the Twins decide to give Adams more starts in the future. Across 17.1 total frames, the 25-year-old sports a 6.75 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 1.38 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB.