MLB Player News

Barlow allowed three walks but didn't allow a hit or record a strikeout in one-third of an inning, earning the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Yankees. He was not charged with a run.

The Athletics' bullpen was taxed heavily when Luis Severino (shoulder) exited Friday's game early. That led to some bullpen management, but the plan faltered when Jack Perkins -- who hadn't pitched since Monday -- made a mess of the ninth inning in a non-save situation. Barlow was brought in and threw just nine of 23 pitches for strikes, but he was able to get the final out after allowing all three inherited runners to score. Barlow has earned two saves over his last three appearances, though he doesn't look to be the first-choice option for saves in the Athletics' closer committee. He has a 3.08 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 22:14 K:BB across 26.1 innings, and he's added eight holds. Both Barlow and Hogan Harris have pitched consecutive days, so any potential save chance Sunday would likely fall to Mark Leiter or Joel Kuhnel. It remains difficult to target any one reliever for saves on a team that has five pitchers between two and four saves on the year.

Pivetta (forearm) played catch Friday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union Tribune reports.

Though Pivetta's throwing was on flat ground in the outfield at Nationals Park, it was still a significant step given that it was the first time he has played catch since landing on the injured list April 14. The veteran pitcher is expected to continue playing catch on flat ground for at least two weeks before a determination is made about his next steps. Acee reports that the Padres are being cautious with Pivetta as well as with fellow injured starter Joe Musgrove (elbow). It's quite possible that neither pitcher will be ready to return until after the All-Star break.

Erceg (3-3) blew the save and took the loss Saturday, surrendering three runs on five hits while failing to record an out as the Royals fell 7-6 to the Rangers.

Tasked with protecting a 6-4 lead in the ninth inning, Erceg instead served up a leadoff homer to Joc Pederson followed by four straight singles -- the last being an Ezequiel Duran line drive to right field that brought home Brandon Nimmo for the winning run. It was Erceg's fifth blown save of the season, including three in his last four chances, and he's given up multiple runs in three straight appearances to balloon his ERA from 3.26 to 6.33. Even with Carlos Estevez (shoulder) still lacking a clear timeline for his return, the Royals may have no choice but to audition other closing options in Erceg's place.

Hoffman (4-4) took the loss Saturday as the Blue Jays fell 6-5 to the Orioles, coughing up five runs on three hits and two walks in only one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

After Louis Varland got the call in the eighth inning to face Baltimore's 2-3-4 hitters and protect a 4-1 lead, Toronto tacked on another run in the top of the ninth before handing the ball to Hoffman. He struck out Samuel Basallo to begin the frame but then unraveled after plunking Coby Mayo, with the final two runs on his ledger coming after he'd been replaced by Connor Seabold. After six straight scoreless appearances that included two wins, two saves and a hold, Hoffman seems no more trustworthy in high-leverage spots than he did when he was removed from the closer role in late April. Following Saturday's disaster, he sits with a 6.31 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 45:10 K:BB through 25.2 innings on the season.

Brown (2-2) earned the win over St. Louis on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out six batters over seven innings.

Brown was in control throughout the contest, and he gave up only one hit outside of the fourth inning. The right-hander began the campaign in the bullpen, and Saturday marked his fifth start of the season. Though Brown hasn't yet quite worked his way up to a full starter's workload -- he's thrown 82, 83 and 82 pitches in his past three outings -- that hasn't prevented him from going plenty deep, as he's collected a quality start in each of his past two appearances. The 26-year-old has also fanned at least six batters in each of his past four starts, rewarding fantasy managers who scooped him up despite his struggles as a starter in previous campaigns. Brown seems to have come into his own this season, as he now holds a 1.92 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 53:15 K:BB across 51.2 innings.

Iglesias notched a save against the Reds on Saturday by tossing a perfect inning, during which he struck out one batter.

The veteran closer had little trouble putting Cincinnati away, retiring the side in order on 15 pitches (10 strikes) to maintain a three-run lead. Iglesias missed 15 days in late April and early May due to a shoulder issue, but the injury didn't set him back at all. Since returning to action, he's gone 5-for-5 in save chances while giving up just two runs and posting a 10:2 K:BB over nine innings. Overall this season, Iglesias has converted all 10 of his save opportunities and has a sterling 1.02 ERA across 17.2 frames.

Phillips (0-1) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday; allowing three runs on six hits and one walk with two strikeouts over five innings.

Phillips allowed four baserunners and three runs in the fourth inning, with that one frame being enough to send him to a loss. Overall he threw just 43 of 72 pitches for strikes and generated only six whiffs. On the bright side, it was his longest outing of the season in both innings and pitches as he continues to get stretched out as a rotation option. The 28-year-old will carry a 1.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 33:19 K:BB across 38.2 innings (two starts, 15 relief appearances) into a home matchup against the Rays next weekend.

Soto earned the save in Saturday's 10-9 win over the Twins, allowing no hits and one walk with no strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Soto was summoned with a one-run lead and two men on in the eighth inning and retired Kody Clemens before closing things out in the ninth. He's now gone five straight appearances without allowing a hit or a run and has kept opponents off the board in 10 of 12 outings in May while converting six of seven save chances during that span. On the season, he owns a 1.95 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB with seven saves across 27.2 innings while establishing himself as Pittsburgh's primary ninth-inning option.

Miles will serve as the Blue Jays' starter for Sunday's series finale against the Orioles, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

With the Blue Jays' rotation hit by the injury bug, manager John Schneider has utilized Miles as a bulk reliever after an opener of late. However, Miles will operate as Toronto's starter for Sunday's contest, his first start since May 10 against the Angels and second of the season. He sports a 2.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB across 33.1 innings this season and has yielded just one earned run over his last four outings (15.1 frames).

Beeter earned the save in Saturday's 9-4 win over the Padres, allowing no hits and two walks with one strikeout over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Beeter relieved Gus Varland with the bases loaded and a three-run lead in the eighth inning and was able to record the final out before tossing a scoreless ninth to nail down his third save. In four appearances since returning from the injured list May 21, the 27-year-old Beeter has fired 4.1 scoreless frames with a 5:4 K:BB. He owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 14:12 K:BB across 14.2 innings this season and should have a good chance to reclaim the primary closer's role given the lack of success his teammates had in his absence.