MLB Player News

Vasquez (6-4) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings in a 9-3 victory over the Orioles. He struck out five.

The right-hander tossed an inefficient 100 pitches (68 strikes) before being replaced to begin the sixth inning, but a four-run first for the Padres gave Vasquez a comfortable cushion before he even got to the mound. The win was Vasquez's first since May 15, and that was also the last time he completed six innings -- over his last five outings, he's stumbled to a 5.63 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 13:9 K:BB in 24 frames. He'll look to build on this performance in his next start, which is set to come on the road next weekend against the Rangers.

Smith earned the save in Saturday's win over the Tigers after allowing a hit and a walk across 1.1 innings, striking out two.

Smith hasn't blown a save since April 14 and leads the majors in that category with 23. The star closer has a 2.48 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across 32.2 innings and 31 outings this season, and he's been one of the best relievers in the majors with a 12.3 K/9, 2.0 BB/9 and 0.1 HR/9 thus far.

Abreu recorded the save Saturday against the Royals after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit.

Josh Hader earned the save Friday, but since he recently returned from the injured list, it seems the Astros are not comfortable using him on back-to-back days. Abreu had no problem stepping in for the ninth to secure his fifth save of the season. The right-hander might have a 6.56 ERA across 27 appearances and 23.1 innings this season, but he's gone 5-for-5 in save chances and also has five holds. He should remain a reliable late-inning option for the Astros.

Varland (3-2) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits in the ninth inning as the Blue Jays fell 3-1 to the Yankees. He struck out one.

Brought in for the top of the ninth inning in a 1-1 tie, Varland couldn't get the game to extras as Cody Bellinger led off the frame with a single before Paul Goldschmidt hooked a game-winning two-run homer to left field. It was the first long ball Varland has served up all year, and one stumble isn't going to cost him his spot as Toronto's closer. On the season, the right-hander sports a 0.96 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB through 37.2 innings, and he's a perfect 12-for-12 in converting save chances.

Gausman didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Yankees, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over seven innings. He struck out seven.

The veteran righty dominated a New York lineup missing Aaron Judge (ribs), generating 20 swinging strikes among his 105 pitches (66 total strikes), but the lone hit off Gausman was a solo shot by Jasson Dominguez in the fourth inning. It was an impressive return to form for Gausman after he'd been tagged four eight runs in 11 innings over his prior two outings, and Saturday's quality start was his first since May 22 and eighth of the year. He'll look to keep rolling in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come on the road next weekend against the Cubs.

Duran tossed a perfect inning and earned the save in Saturday's win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

Duran is on the verge of reaching at least 20 saves for the fourth consecutive season, and he should be able to hit that mark before the All-Star break. One of the best closers in the National League, Duran has gone 18-for-19 in save chances while posting a 1.90 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 23.2 innings and 25 appearances this season.

Dominguez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Activated from the IL earlier in the day, Dominguez produced the Yankees' only hit off Kevin Gausman when he hooked a splitter down the right-field line in the fourth inning for his second homer of the season in 10 games. Dominguez got the start in right field and hit second Saturday, and the 23-year-old figures to maintain a prime spot in the lineup due to Aaron Judge (ribs) and Trent Grisham (hamstring) both being sidelined.

Bednar struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 14th save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Blue Jays.

The Yankees closer got Andres Gimenez and Nathan Lukes to flail away at splitters, while he fanned George Springer on a 97.5 mph fastball. Bednar held a 5.14 ERA on May 18, but since then he's reeled off seven straight scoreless appearances, allowing just two hits in 7.2 innings with an 11:3 K:BB over that span to lower his ERA to a more palatable 3.77.

Schlittler didn't factor into the decision Saturday in a 3-1 win over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on six hits and four walks over seven innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander dialed up his ninth quality start of the season on 101 pitches (65 strikes), but Schlittler's four free passes were a season high as he issued more than two walks in an outing for the first time since May 4. The breakout star will take a 1.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 96:18 K:BB through 89 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Reds.

Lewis went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Saturday's 9-6 loss to the Cardinals.

The 27-year-old continues to rake since returning to the majors in early June. After an 0-for-3 showing in his first game back, Lewis has hit safely in six straight contests, batting .435 (10-for-23) with two doubles, three homers, four runs and four RBI. Five of those seven starts have come at first base, and that appears to be Lewis' new defensive home while Brooks Lee remains at third base.