MLB Player News

Smith was bypassed in a save situation in Friday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Athletics.

Smith had pitched three of the last four games, including the previous two, so this could have been manager Bruce Bochy not wanting to use his closer for a fourth time in five nights. Instead, the manager stuck with Brock Burke, who had finished out the ninth but didn't retire a batter in the extra frame.

Peralta gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Rays.

Ian Hamilton, Michael King and Clay Holmes had all worked earlier in the night, so when Anthony Rizzo gave the Yankees the lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, manager Aaron Boone didn't have many other options to try and close things out. Peralta has been effective this season when called upon, collecting two wins and three holds over 17 appearances (plus Friday's save) with a 1.88 ERA and 16:8 K:BB through 14.1 innings, and if the team's late-inning picture does become a true committee, the 31-year-old would be the only lefty in the mix.

Bautista picked up the save during Friday's 6-3 win over the Pirates, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning.

Bautista entered with a three-run lead and struck out the side en route to his ninth save of the season. The right-hander is now 9-for-12 in save chances and boasts stellar numbers (1.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB) across 18 appearances. Last year, his first in the big leagues, Bautista went 15-for-17 in save opportunities and finished with a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 88:23 K:BB over 65.2 innings, so he's already put together an impressive track record in limited MLB action.

Pressly struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning during Friday's win over the White Sox.

With Houston up 5-1, Pressly needed just 10 pitches to retire the White Sox in order. Though it was a non-save situation, it was an encouraging rebound after he nearly blew a save against the Angels on Wednesday. He lowered his season ERA to 3.86 with a 15:2 K:BB.

Fleming didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over four relief innings. He struck out two.

Entering the game in the third inning after Trevor Kelley was deployed as the opener, Fleming was handed a 2-1 lead but eventually gave up the tying run before exiting after 52 pitches (29 strikes). The southpaw has been erratic this season -- 11 of his 15 earned runs allowed have come in just two of his eight appearances -- and his 4.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 17:14 K:BB through 31.2 innings are far from enticing for fantasy GMs. Nonetheless, he'll continue to factor into the rotation mix, either as a traditional starter or bulk reliever, due to all the injuries on the Rays' staff. His next turn is likely to come on the road next week against the Mets.

Adam (0-1) allowed one earned run on one hit across two-thirds of an inning to blow the save and take the loss Friday against the Yankees.

Adam entered the game with the Rays holding a one-run lead and a runner on first base in the eighth inning. He served up a two-run home run to Anthony Rizzo -- the first batter he faced -- to blow his second save of the season. Adam had allowed earned runs in only two of his 17 appearances, leading to a 1.69 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 20:5 K:BB through 16 innings. Despite Friday's stumble, he should continue to see plenty of save chances so long as Pete Fairbanks (forearm) is sidelined.

Castillo allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Brewers. He did not factor in the decision.

Castillo worked as a bulk reliever behind opener Josh Taylor. The damage against Castillo amounted to an Owen Miller solo home run and a Tyrone Taylor RBI single. In two long-relief outings, Castillo owns a 3.86 ERA, but it comes with a 1.86 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB through seven innings. Considering he had a 9:10 K:BB through 24.1 innings with Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up, it appears the right-hander could still benefit from some time working on his control in the minors.

Taylor (0-1) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out two in one inning Friday, taking the loss versus the Brewers.

An error by catcher Freddy Fermin on a Willy Adames stolen base in the first inning allowed Christian Yelich to deliver an RBI single, and the Brewers never looked back. Taylor has struggled to keep runs off the board -- he's been scored on in five of his 10 appearances this season, resulting in a 6.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over 12 innings. He was used as an opener Friday, but he's mainly been a middle reliever for the Royals, which should be his primary role the rest of the season.

Jansen (1-1) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk without recording an out in Friday's loss to St. Louis. He was charged with a blown save and a loss.

Jansen entered the ninth inning protecting a 6-5 lead, and the Cardinals jumped on him immediately. After Lars Nootbaar tied the game with an RBI single, Jansen served up a go-ahead, two-run shot to Nolan Gorman. Jansen had allowed just one run through 11.2 innings before Friday's meltdown caused his ERA to jump to 3.09. After converting his first six save chances, he's blown two of his last five.

Estevez struck out one batter in a scoreless inning to earn a save over Cleveland on Friday. He allowed two hits and a walk.

Estevez was cruising through one of his usual easy innings before putting three straight Guardians on base with two outs. He extinguished the fire by punching out Will Brennan and finishing a 5-4 win. Estevez lowered his ERA to 0.96 with a 24:7 K:BB and nine saves.