MLB Player News

Bender earned the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Rays, allowing one hit while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Pete Fairbanks was utilized out of the bullpen Saturday, so the Marlins called on Bender to close out Sunday's game. Bender ended up tossing 24 pitches, 10 of which came in his strikeout of Cedric Mullins to seal the game for Miami. Bender sits at a 3.04 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, five holds and a 29:9 K:BB across 26.2 innings this season.

Alcantara (5-4) earned the win against the Rays on Sunday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across seven innings.

It was another strong effort by Alcantara, with his lone blemish being an RBI single that he gave up to Yandy Diaz in the third inning. Alcantara tossed 58 strikes on 90 pitches while generating 11 whiffs, and his seven strikeouts matched a season high that he set against the White Sox on April 1. He's logged a quality start in back-to-back outings and now sits at a 4.33 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 89.1 innings this season. He's also up to 57 career wins with the Marlins, which is third-most in franchise history behind Ricky Nolasco (81) and southpaw Dontrelle Willis (68). Alcantara is slated to start next weekend on the road against the Pirates.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington relayed Sunday that Griffin is looking at a "more relaxed timeline" in his recovery from a flexor strain in his right elbow, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Cherington didn't offer an exact timeline for Griffin, but the former noted that the 20-year-old shortstop is looking at a longer stint on the 10-day injured list after more exams by team doctors. Griffin has yet to start throwing but has been taking groundballs, and the Pirates should have a better sense of Griffin's recovery timeline once he's cleared to play catch.

Vientos is not in the Mets' starting lineup against the Padres on Sunday.

Vientos will be on the bench for the start of Sunday's game after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Saturday's 3-2 loss to San Diego. Jared Young will start at first base while Juan Soto serves as the designated hitter.

Nunez is not in the Nationals' starting lineup against the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Nunez will get a breather after going 3-for-8 with two RBI and one steal over the first two games of the series. Jose Tena will start at second base Sunday and bat eighth.

Vargas is not in the Diamondbacks' starting lineup against the Nationals on Sunday.

It's the third game in a row in which Vargas will be on the bench for the start of the game. With Pavin Smith serving as the team's DH, Vargas has been losing playing time to rookie LuJames Groover, who is starting at first base and batting eighth in Sunday's series finale.

Pages is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Angels on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Pages will get a breather for Sunday's series finale while Kyle Tucker, Alex Call and Ryan Ward start in the outfield from right to left. Pages has logged one hit in seven of his last eight games and has gone 7-for-35 (.200) with three RBI and five extra-base hits over that span.

Bauers isn't in Milwaukee's starting lineup Sunday versus the Rockies.

Bauers reached base eight times (four hits and four walks) and drove in four runs over the first two games of the series, but he'll begin on the bench Sunday with Colorado sending southpaw Kyle Freeland to the mound. Andrew Vaughn is starting at first base in Bauers' stead.

Smith (neck) is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Angels on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to a neck issue, which will also keep him out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Dalton Rushing will start behind home plate and bat sixth. The Dodgers have an off day Monday, so Smith could be back in action for Tuesday's series opener against the Pirates.

Betts is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Angels on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Both Betts and Andy Pages will get an off day, with Miguel Rojas starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Sunday's series finale. Betts has gone 3-for-22 (.136) with one RBI and two runs scored since June 1.