MLB Player News

VerHagen (4-0) pitched 1.2 perfect innings and struck out one to earn the win Sunday over the Mets.

VerHagen did his part to keep the game tied until the Cardinals took the lead in the ninth inning. The right-hander has had mixed results in June with three runs allowed over 6.2 innings while posting a 5:1 K:BB. He continues to serve as a multi-inning option, though he's also managed seven holds this season and could see more late-inning work while Ryan Helsley (forearm) is out. VerHagen has a 4.32 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB over 33.1 innings this season.

Doval recorded two outs to notch a save against the Dodgers on Sunday. He struck out one while not allowing a hit or walk.

Scott Alexander (hamstring) loaded the bases before Doval came in and escaped the threat. Doval converted 15 straight save chances before blowing an opportunity Friday. With Sunday's performance, he lowered his ERA to 1.99 with a strong 45:14 K:BB and 19 saves through 31.2 innings.

Alexander (hamstring) will likely require a trip to the injured list, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Alexander exited Sunday's game against the Dodgers with left hamstring discomfort, an issue he's been dealing with for some time. He'll presumably be re-evaluated Monday before the Giants officially determine whether he'll require an IL stint, but Sean Hjelle was scratched from his minor-league start Sunday and is a candidate to be called up if Alexander is sidelined.

Walker will serve as the opener during Monday's game against the Padres, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Walker's first 11 major-league appearances have come as a reliever, and he's posted a 1.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 14.2 innings. The right-hander hasn't tossed more than 51 pitches in any outing this year, but he'll begin Monday's series opener on the mound while Sean Manaea likely serves as a bulk reliever.

Hader struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Rays.

The Padres' lead went from three runs to one in the eighth inning, but Hader kept things drama-free in the ninth. He's fired six straight scoreless innings in June, converting five saves in as many tries for the month. He's up to 18 saves in 21 chances with a 1.27 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB through 28.1 innings on the year.

Alexander was removed from Sunday's game against the Dodgers due to left hamstring discomfort, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Alexander exited Sunday's matchup after being examined by a trainer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and he's dealing with a hamstring issue that has plagued him recently. It's unclear whether he'll require a trip to the injured list, but he should be considered day-to-day for now.

Marte struck out the side in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

Craig Kimbrel had pitched three of the last four days, likely making him unavailable Sunday. The Phillies opted to let Jose Alvarado take the heart of the Athletics' order, while Marte faced the 8-9-1 batters to secure the save, which was the first of his major-league career. Marte's 6.89 ERA doesn't tell the whole story -- he's kept runs off the board in 13 of 17 appearances, but he's given up multiple runs in each of the other four outings. He also has a 1.60 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB over 15.2 innings this season, though he shouldn't be expected to see many additional high-leverage looks.

Alexander exited Sunday's game against the Dodgers with a trainer in the bottom of the ninth inning due to an unspecified injury, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Alexander gave up no runs on a hit and a walk in one-third of an inning after entering Sunday's matchup in the bottom of the ninth, but he was examined by a trainer after loading the bases, and he exited the game. He appeared to be walking with a limp while exiting the field, but the exact nature and severity of his injury aren't yet clear.

Hicks picked up the save Sunday against the Mets, allowing one hit over a scoreless inning. He did not record a strikeout or walk.

With Ryan Helsley (forearm) on the injured list, Hicks has locked down saves in back-to-back days. Giovanny Gallegos also figures to get some ninth-inning work with Helsley unavailable, but it appears it's Hicks' job to lose for now. The right-hander started his career as a closer, but he's struggled to stay healthy and was recently limited to mostly set-up duties when available.

Nardi picked up the save in Sunday's 4-2 victory over Washington. He allowed a hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

With A.J. Puk having pitched the last two days, the Marlins' turned to Nardi in the ninth after using Dylan Floro in the eighth. The 24-year-old Nardi has been tremendous for Miami this season -- he hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 20 appearances (19.1 innings), recording 25 strikeouts in that span. Nardi's ERA is down to 2.27 with a 1.01 WHIP and 39:9 K:BB across 31.2 innings this season. Puk figures to have a firm hold on the closing job, but Nardi could see the occasional save chance as he's worked his way up the Marlins' bullpen hierarchy.