MLB Player News

Wells earned the save in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Reds, allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

With Ryan Helsley (elbow) back on the injured list, Wells has gotten the call for two straight save chances and delivered on both. He owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 43:10 K:BB across 41.2 innings this season and appears to be the early favorite to replace Helsley in the ninth inning as long as he continues to pitch well.

Young (7-2) earned the win against the Reds on Saturday, allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

Young allowed four runs through the first two innings but finished with three scoreless frames and benefited from an eight-run outburst from the Orioles. While he was able to log at least five frames for the eighth straight outing, Saturday marked just the second time in 14 contests this season the 27-year-old yielded more than three earned runs. He owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 62:30 K:BB across 77.1 innings overall and will take on the Royals at home in his final start before the All-Star break.

Messick did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the White Sox, allowing one run on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts over five innings.

Messick allowed a run in the first inning but rebounded with four scoreless frames despite generating just four whiffs on 100 pitches and tossing only one clean inning. The 25-year-old, who recently earned his first career All-Star nod, was able to turn the page on a subpar June in which he went 1-4 with a 4.26 ERA. He owns a strong 2.80 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 109:32 K:BB across 106 innings this season and lines up for a road matchup with the Marlins next weekend.

Burke did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Guardians, allowing one run on seven hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts over six innings.

A solo homer in the fifth inning was the only blemish on Burke's performance as he generated 16 whiffs on 95 pitches while registering a career-high 11 strikeouts. It continued a strong run for the 26-year-old, who's worked into the sixth inning or beyond in four straight outings while allowing just five earned runs during that span. He'll take a 3.56 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 106:33 K:BB across 98.2 innings this season into a home matchup with the Athletics next weekend.

Taylor earned the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Guardians, allowing no hits and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Taylor was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on 17 pitches. It was a nice rebound after the 24-year-old blew a save chance Thursday, and he still owns a 2.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 65:15 K:BB across 45.2 innings this season despite allowing eight earned runs over his past eight appearances. He's now converted three of six save chances to go along with five holds and appears to be taking the lead for the closer role over the struggling Seranthony Dominguez.

Montgomery went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and two RBI in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Guardians.

Montgomery opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning before hitting what proved to be the game-winning solo shot in the eighth. Over his past 10 games, the 24-year-old has hit safely in eight contests with five extra-base hits, six RBI and five runs scored. On the year, he's slashing .221/.308/.484 with 22 homers, 51 RBI, 41 runs scored and one steal across 351 plate appearances.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a loss to the Red Sox on Saturday.

Lowe accounted for the Angels' only extra-base hit and only run when he launched a 437-foot solo homer off Sonny Gray in the first inning. The veteran outfielder spent over a month with Triple-A Salt Lake after getting off to a slow start to the season, but since his return he's playing like he never wants to go back to the minors. Across nine contests after being called back up. Lowe is batting .370 (10-for-27) with two homers, two doubles, five runs, five RBI and a stolen base.

Contreras went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in an 8-1 victory versus the Angels on Saturday.

Contreras was handed a seven-game suspension Thursday for his role in a dust-up between Boston and Washington on Tuesday, but the veteran first baseman is able to continue playing during his appeal. That paid off big time for Boston, as Contreras clubbed a three-run homer in the first inning Saturday to give the team a lead they didn't relinquish. Contreras wasn't among the players announced for the AL All-Star team Saturday, but he's certainly put up worthy numbers in the first half. Through 85 games, he's slashing .285/.378/.536 with 19 home runs, 56 RBI, 44 runs and two stolen bases.

Aldegheri (3-4) took the loss against Boston on Saturday, allowing three runs on one hit and four walks while striking out two batters over four innings.

Aldegheri gave up all of his runs in the first inning, when he walked two of the first three batters he faced before Willson Contreras tagged him for a three-run homer. Following that blast, the lefty hurler allowed only three more baserunners (on two walks and an error) and no more runs, but the damage was enough to send him to the loss. The four walks were a season worst for Aldegheri, though he's issued three free passes on two occasions and has a poor 4.5 BB/9 on the campaign. Grayson Rodriguez (back) is nearing the end of his stint on the IL, and Aldegheri is a candidate to be removed from the rotation when Rodriguez returns.

Gray (10-1) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over six innings.

Gray gave up a solo homer to Josh Lowe in the second inning but otherwise kept the Angels off the scoreboard. The veteran righty needed just 70 pitches (48 strikes) to complete six frames and record his seventh straight quality start. Gray has been filthy during that stretch, posting a 1.97 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 48:12 K:BB across 45.2 innings. He was somewhat shockingly omitted from the announcement of All-Star teams Saturday, but that shouldn't lessen the impact of his performance so far on what has been a disappointing first half for Boston. Among qualified AL hurlers, Gray ranks second in ERA (2.61), 10th in WHIP (1.10) and first in wins (10).