MLB Player News

Baker threw a perfect ninth inning to notch the save Wednesday against Toronto. He struck out one.

The All-Star closer continued his masterful campaign, turning in his 25th consecutive save Wednesday. He's been scored upon just one time in his last 18 outings, as well. Baker sports a 1.44 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 56:16 K:BB with an MLB-leading 36 saves in 39 attempts across 50 innings this year.

Munoz earned the save in Wednesday's 7-5 win over the Brewers, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Munoz was called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on just nine pitches. The 27-year-old has now converted back-to-back save chances following a blowup appearance Friday, and he's held opponents scoreless in nine of 12 outings since the All-Star break. On the year, he's 23-for-30 in save opportunities to go along with a 4.27 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 73:18 K:BB across 46.1 innings.

Bednar struck out one in a clean ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Orioles.

The 31-year-old closer continues to put his shaky start to the season in the rear-view mirror. Since the beginning of June, Bednar has a shiny 0.84 ERA and 0.56 WHIP to go with a 35:7 K:BB covering 32.1 innings. He's blown just one save during that span, now holding a 2.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 64:18 K:BB in 56.1 innings with 29 saves (32 chances) for the season.

Natera said Wednesday that he's managing a tight back and is day-to-day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Natera hasn't made an appearance out of the Angels bullpen since Aug. 11, though he was available for most of last week before he tweaked his back Saturday. He noted prior to Wednesday's game against the Astros that he hadn't done any throwing before the contest to test out his back, so the Angels may look to stay away from him for another day or two. Natera has emerged as one of the Angels' top relievers since being called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on June 5, gathering three saves, four holds and one win over 23 appearances while turning in a 2.00 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB across 27 innings.

Gomez struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 20th save of the season in a 6-4 win over Atlanta.

The right-hander remains perfect on the season in converting save chances as well, going 19-for-19 as the Twins' closer -- not bad for a pitcher cut loose by the Rays in early May after posting a 6.23 ERA in his first 17.1 innings of the year. Since the All-Star break, Gomez has delivered a 2.13 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB over 12.2 innings and 14 appearances.

Taylor earned the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Cubs, walking one while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

It was another impressive showing from Taylor, who's now held opponents without an earned run in his last 21.1 innings -- he's given up just 10 hits while striking out 21 in that span. The 24-year-old right-hander's ERA is down to 2.05 across 66 innings this season with a 1.02 WHIP and 85:21 K:BB. The White Sox have continued to use a committee in the ninth inning, though Taylor remains the best option for saves in the South Side down the stretch.

Urquidy (2-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Cubs, allowing two hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out eight.

Making just his second appearance with the White Sox, Urquidy delivered a dominant performance in relief Wednesday, as he turned in six scoreless innings after Sean Newcomb pitched the first two frames. The outing lowered Urquidy's ERA to 5.06 on the season with a 1.50 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB across 16 innings between the White Sox and Pirates. It remains to be seen whether Chicago will deploy Urquidy as a traditional starter or in a bulk role again his next time out, which currently lines up to come at home next week against the Rangers.

Jansen (3-5) blew the save and took the loss Wednesday, giving up two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning as the Tigers fell 4-3 to the Pirates. He struck out one.

Charged with protecting a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning, Jansen instead served up solo homers to Rafael Flores and Brandon Lowe to get saddled with his fifth blown save of the season. It's the first time since May 2 of last season that Jansen's been taken deep multiple times in the same appearance, and through 34.1 innings in 2026 he's now served up seven homers, giving him career-worst marks in HR/9 (1.83) and ERA (4.19).

The Mariners optioned Simpson to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Seattle called up lefty Jhonathan Diaz from Triple-A in a corresponding move, giving the Mariners a fresh arm in the bullpen. Simpson was unlikely to be available for another day or two after he needed 33 pitches to record two outs in his appearance during Tuesday's 22-0 loss to the Brewers. He gave up five runs on three hits and two walks in the outing, inflating his ERA to 9.82 and his WHIP to 2.05 over 7.1 big-league innings on the season.

The Mariners selected Diaz's contract from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

Diaz has spent the entire 2026 season in Triple-A, where he's produced a 6.22 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 83:42 K:BB over 111.1 innings. He's been used in both the rotation and bullpen in his limited time in the majors over the last five seasons, but the Mariners will likely plan for Diaz to provide some extra coverage in relief after Josh Simpson and Nick Davila both tossed 30-plus pitches during Tuesday's 22-0 loss to the Brewers. Simpson was optioned to clear room on the active roster for Diaz.