MLB Player News

O'Brien walked one, hit a batter and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-1 win over Atlanta.

O'Brien wasn't quite at his best while pitching for the third time in four days, but he got the job done. He's on a seven-inning scoreless streak and has earned six saves with a 6:2 K:BB in that span. The All-Star reliever has converted 24 of 28 save chances this season while pitching to a 3.43 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 39:13 K:BB through 39.1 innings. O'Brien presumably won't be available if a save opportunity surfaces Sunday -- JoJo Romero or Ryne Stanek would be top options to step in for a save chance since George Soriano has also pitched consecutive days.

Freeland (2-8) took the loss Saturday against the Giants, allowing four runs on six hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out nine.

Freeland was working on producing one of his best starts of the season, as he fanned a season-high nine, but Casey Schmitt launched a three-run home run in the sixth inning to leave a big dent on the hurler's line. The 33-year-old left-hander still turned in his fourth outing of the year of at least six frames, but he's now given up multiple runs in 13 consecutive appearances. Freeland has struggled to offer much fantasy viability in 2026, posting a career-worst 7.36 ERA and 1.57 WHIP despite an otherwise encouraging 79:18 K:BB over 88 innings.

Liberatore (5-6) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out six over six scoreless innings to earn the win over Atlanta on Saturday.

This was Liberatore's first quality start in over two months -- his previous was May 7 versus the Padres. He has completed six frames in just four of his 19 starts on the year, as elevated walk (3.5 BB/9) and home run (1.6 HR/9) rates have limited his ability to pitch deep into games. He's at a 5.00 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 88:36 K:BB through 93.2 innings but heads into the All-Star break with a 2.25 ERA across his past thee outings.

Peralta (5-8) took the loss Saturday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

It was another laborious outing by Peralta, who has now failed to complete five frames in all three of his July starts thus far. The 30-year-old right-hander has battled his control all year long, as he has issued at least one walk in all of his 19 starts since Opening Day versus Pittsburgh, However, he was at least able to strike out Tsung-Che Cheng to escape a bases-loaded jam in the second inning Saturday to limit the damage. Peralta has been a big disappointment during his first year with the Mets, holding a 4.66 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 104:44 K:BB over 104.1 frames.

Major League Baseball announced that Mikolas will begin serving his five-game suspension Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The suspension stemmed from his role during a bench-clearing brawl with the Red Sox on July 2. Mikolas initially appealed his suspension, but after teammate Cade Cavalli completed a five-game ban of his own, the veteran right-hander is now required to begin serving his time. Mikolas will be available to return to action July 21 against the Rockies, the Nationals' fifth game out of the All-Star break. Mikolas heads into the break with a 5.78 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB across 90.1 innings.

Realmuto went 1-for-4 with a two-run double during the Phillies' 4-2 win over the Tigers on Saturday.

Realmuto extended the Phillies' lead to 3-0 with a two-run double in the fourth inning before coming home to score on an RBI single by Derek Hill in the same frame. Realmuto is slashing .200/.281/.338 with three steals, seven home runs and 30 RBI across 253 plate appearances this season and is batting .173 with five homers, 21 RBI and 14 runs in 28 games since the start of June.

Duran earned the save against the Tigers on Saturday after tossing a perfect ninth inning with no strikeouts.

Duran needed just eight pitches (seven strikes) to protect the Phillies' two-run lead in Saturday's win. It was his 24th save of the season, which is third most in the majors behind Cade Smith (28) and Bryan Baker (25). Duran has a 1.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 50:6 K:BB across 32.2 innings this season and has converted his past eight save chances.

Lodolo was removed in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the Cubs due to a blister on his left index finger, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

A trainer came out to the mound to examine Lodolo's left index finger after the southpaw gave up a leadoff homer in the sixth inning. The blister was severe enough for Lodolo to be taken out of the game, and he'll end his start having allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four across five innings. He's dealt with blisters over the past couple of seasons and needed a stint on the 15-day injured list in 2025, but his recovery timeline should become clearer once he's evaluated further.

Hill went 1-for-3 with an RBI single, three steals and a run scored during the Phillies' 4-2 win over the Tigers on Saturday.

Hill set a career high in steals Saturday, with two of his three swipes coming in the top of the third inning. However, his best play of the game came in the bottom of the same frame, when he made a sensational diving catch in center field to rob Zach McKinstry of an extra-base hit. Hill has a .772 OPS with 10 steals, seven home runs and 16 RBI across 141 plate appearances this season.

Sanchez (11-4) earned the win against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing two runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out seven across seven innings.

It was the second game in a row (and fourth time this season) that Sanchez gave up double-digit hits. However, the All-Star southpaw limited the damage to two runs and came away with the quality start, finishing his outing with 16 whiffs on 103 pitches (74 strikes). Sanchez has logged seven-plus strikeouts 13 times this season, and Saturday's performance was his 14th quality start, which is tied with Sandy Alcantara for most in the majors. Sanchez enters the All-Star break with a 2.62 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 144:25 K:BB across 127.1 innings.