MLB Player News

Finnegan (1-2) walked two and struck out two over three scoreless and hitless innings to earn the extra-innings win over the Angels on Sunday.

Finnegan was brought in to keep the game tied in the ninth inning. He achieved that goal and did the same in the 10th before protecting the three-run lead the Nationals generated in the 11th. It's just the fourth time all season he's been asked to cover more than one inning, though three of those instances have been in his last seven appearances. Finnegan was also fresh for this outing, while every other reliever in the Nationals' bullpen had pitched Friday or Saturday, and he got through it on 30 pitches (20 strikes). He's posted decent numbers with a 2.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB across 31 innings, and he's also converted 18 of 23 save chances in 30 appearances. The Nationals are traveling back home for a three-game series versus the Tigers that starts Tuesday, so Finnegan should have plenty of time to rest up for the next save chance that arises.

Strahm allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning while earning a save over Atlanta on Sunday.

Strahm was in charge of finishing off the 2-1 victory and ran into some trouble. However, he forced a Stuart Fairchild flyout with runners on the corners to end the contest. Strahm now has five saves this season, including three since June 14. He owns a 3.78 ERA with a 37:9 K:BB through 33.1 frames. Orion Kerkering tossed a scoreless eighth inning with three strikeouts Sunday, and Jordan Romano did not make an appearance after yielding four runs Saturday.

Hoffman struck out the side in a perfect inning to earn a save over Boston on Sunday.

Hoffman made quick work of the Red Sox in the ninth inning, punching out the side on 14 pitches to finish the 5-3 win. He's now converted 18 of 22 save chances this season and picked up his first since June 10. Hoffman has produced an impressive 48:10 K:BB through 34.1 innings despite a 4.98 ERA.

Kinley earned the save in Sunday's 4-3 extra-innings win against the Brewers, pitching a clean inning with two strikeouts.

After Kyle Farmer knocked home the automatic runner in the top of the 11th, Kinley succinctly wrapped the game on 12 pitches, nine of which were strikes, in the bottom of the frame. The 34-year-old was able to notch his first save since June 6, while Seth Halvorsen, who had recorded Colorado's previous three saves, pitched a scoreless ninth to force extras. Kinley now sports a 6.75 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 35:24 K:BB across 36 total innings.

Vodnik (3-2) blew the save and picked up the win in Sunday's 4-3 extra-innings victory at Milwaukee. He allowed one unearned run on a hit and a walk with one strikeout over one inning.

Vodnik was called upon in the 10th frame after the Rockies scored a run in the top of the inning. The 25-year-old suffered his third blown save of the season when he allowed the automatic runner to score on a wild pitch; however, he bagged the win when Colorado subsequently took the lead in the top of the 11th. Vodnik was afforded this save opportunity after Seth Halvorsen pitched a scoreless ninth to push the contest into extras. Through 23.2 total innings, Vodnik has pitched to a 2.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 22:12 K:BB.

Megill blew the save in Sunday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to Colorado. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks over two innings with two strikeouts.

The Milwaukee closer entered the ninth with a one-run lead, which he coughed up by allowing a 385-foot solo shot to Orlando Arcia. Megill then reappeared for the 10th frame and allowed the automatic runner to score on a Thairo Estrada single. In total, Megill required 30 pitches, 22 of which were strikes, to complete this appearance. Despite this hiccup, the flamethrowing right-hander has been solid in 11.1 June innings with a 3.18 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB while converting eight of 10 save opportunities.

VanWey (undisclosed) struck out a batter and allowed no hits and no walks over a scoreless inning of relief for Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list.

VanWey was out of action for Sugar Land for about a month before he was cleared to rejoin the Triple-A bullpen. The 25-year-old reliever was previously up with the Astros earlier this season and gave up six earned runs on 15 hits and three walks over 8.2 innings.

The White Sox pulled Scholtens off his minor-league rehab assignment after he experienced discomfort in his surgically repaired right elbow following his most recent start June 4 with Triple-A Charlotte, MLB.com reports.

Before being shut down, Scholtens had compiled a 5.96 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB in 22.2 innings across his six rehab starts between Charlotte and High-A Winston-Salem. Given that Scholtens underwent Tommy John surgery last February, the White Sox are likely to proceed cautiously with the right-hander before sending him back out on a rehab assignment. Scholtens' lone big-league action previously came with the White Sox back in 2023, when he submitted a 5.29 ERA in 85 innings over 26 appearances (11 starts).

Triple-A Las Vegas placed Otanez on its 7-day injured list June 8 due to an unspecified injury.

The 27-year-old right-hander possesses a spot on the Athletics' 40-man roster but had been with Las Vegas since late May after getting optioned. Otanez owns a 5.40 ERA, 2.26 WHIP and 9:6 K:BB in 6.2 innings over seven relief appearances with the Triple-A club this season.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Morgan (elbow) is seeking a second opinion on his injury after he suffered a setback during his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on June 17, MLB.com reports.

Counsell didn't go into specifics regarding a treatment plan for Morgan, but the fact that the right-hander requires a second opinion suggests that surgery could be on the table. Morgan has been on the injured list since April 15 due to right elbow neuritis.