MLB Player News

Collins went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in a 6-3 win over the Phillies on Wednesday.

It was the ninth homer of the year and the third game with at least three hits for Collins. The switch hitter had a .635 OPS as of May 31, but he's made a huge impact for the Brewers since the start of June. Collins is slashing .296/.391/.487 with 25 extra-base hits, 47 RBI, 40 runs scored and nine stolen bases over his last 273 plate appearances to push his OPS up to .804 for the campaign.

Woodford walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Rangers.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo continues to mix and match at the back of his bullpen, as Andrew Saalfrank worked the eighth inning against the heart of the Texas order before Woodford handled the ninth. The 28-year-old right-hander still has two of the Diamondbacks' last three saves, with Taylor Rashi getting the other and all three of Woodford's saves have come since Aug. 23. His ratios don't make a compelling case for consistent high-leverage usage however, and over 20 innings since the beginning of August, Woodford's posted a 4.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB.

Koenig secured the save in a 6-3 win over the Phillies on Wednesday, throwing a clean ninth inning with one strikeout.

Koenig got the call to earn his first save of the season Wednesday. With the possibility of having to face superstar lefties Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the frame, the southpaw likely received the nod over righty Abner Uribe for matchup-related reasons. Closer Trevor Megill (elbow) is targeting a return by mid-September, so Koenig will likely revert back to a setup role before long. Koenig has a decent 3.32 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 57 innings while recording 25 holds this year.

Ellard will serve as the White Sox's opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Twins, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Ellard will work as an opener for the second time in four days after coughing up one unearned run in 1.2 innings in Monday's 6-5 win over Minnesota. Jonathan Cannon is expected to pitch in bulk relief after Ellard exits the game.

Gallen (11-13) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Rangers. He struck out five.

The veteran righty continues a late-season turnaround, delivering his sixth quality start in seven trips to the mound since the beginning of August. Over that stretch, Gallen has a 4-1 record with a 2.20 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB through 41 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in San Francisco.

Leiter (9-8) took the loss Wednesday as the Rangers were downed 2-0 by the Diamondbacks, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

The 25-year-old right-hander delivered his third straight quality start, and eighth of the season, on 99 pitches (64 strikes), but Leiter got no run support from the Texas offense. In nine outings since the All-Star break, Leiter has posted a 2.66 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 57:24 K:BB over 47.1 innings as he establishes himself as a key part of the team's rotation plans for the present and future. Leiter is scheduled to make his next start at home early next week against the Brewers.

Topa (1-5) was charged with the loss and a blown save in a 4-3 defeat to the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.

That's consecutive blown saves for Topa, who has now given up at least one run in four straight outings. Given the right-hander's recent struggles, it wouldn't be surprising to see manager Rocco Baldelli turn to a different high-leverage arm, such as Cole Sands or Kody Funderburk, for Minnesota's next save chance. Topa has a 4.03 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 58 innings this season.

Mize (13-5) picked up the win over the Mets on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits over five innings in a 6-2 victory. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander was lifted after only 69 pitches (48 strikes), his lowest workload since Aug. 4 -- denying Mize a shot at his eighth quality start of the season. The Tigers' caution is understandable considering he stumbled to a 5.81 ERA across five starts in August, but his spot in the rotation for September is secure, and the team may be attempting to build in some rest for him ahead of the playoffs. Mize lines up to make his next start on the road next week against the Yankees.

Leasure picked up the save in a 4-3 win over the Twins on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Leasure turned in his sixth save of the season, and it was also his fourth consecutive scoreless outing. The right-hander had a 4.62 ERA for the year through July 28, but he's been exceptional out of the Chicago bullpen since the start of August. Over his last 14 innings, Leasure has a 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB with four saves to enhance his ERA to 4.08 for the campaign.

Holmes (11-7) took the loss Wednesday, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings as the Mets fell 6-2 to the Tigers. He struck out six.

The six Ks were his highest total since Aug. 5, but the three free passes were the most he's issued since July 2. Holmes has failed to complete five innings in three of his last seven starts, as the converted reliever is showing signs of fatigue toward the end of a long season. During that span he's posted a 4.32 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 29:15 K:BB over 33.1 innings. Holmes figures to get some extra rest before his next outing as the Mets juggle their rotation, but he could take the mound next week on the road in Philadelphia.