MLB Player News

VerHagen (2-0) earned the win Sunday over the Tigers, striking out three over two perfect innings.

JoJo Romero would have typically been in line for the win, but the official scorer deemed VerHagen more effective in his multi-inning appearance despite entering after the Cardinals took the lead. Over his last six outings, VerHagen has given up one run on three hits and four walks with eight strikeouts in 7.2 innings. He's been solid for the season as well with a 3.50 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB while adding four holds across 18 innings. The right-hander fills a versatile role in the Cardinals' bullpen, which has included some setup work early in 2023.

Uceta (ankle) began a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Syracuse and allowed two unearned runs on no hits and four walks over 1.1 innings.

The fact that Uceta was cleared to go out on a rehab assignment less than two weeks after landing on the 15-day injured list suggests his left ankle sprain isn't a major concern, but the Mets will want to see a sharper minor-league appearance or two from him before activating him. He threw only 13 strikes during his 32-pitch appearance Thursday.

Tonkin (3-1) picked up the win in Sunday's extra-innings victory over the Orioles, striking out one over two perfect innings of relief.

The 33-year-old has made a remarkable return to the majors this season after last seeing time on an MLB roster in 2017 with the Twins. Tonkin has a 1.89 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB through 19 innings, and while his role in the Atlanta bullpen limits his fantasy value, he's already tied his career high in wins and could end up vulturing a few more before the campaign is through.

Alzolay (1-2) allowed two runs (both unearned) on one hit over three innings as he took the loss against the Marlins on Sunday.

Despite being handed with the loss, Alzolay pitched well under some pressure circumstances and gave the Cubs a chance to walk things off in extras. The Marlins would end up scoring the game winning run off a balk from Alzolay, which was an extremely unfortunate way for the 28-year-old to lose the game. He tossed 37 pitches and likely won't be available out of the pen until at least Wednesday. For the year, Alzolay owns a 2.41, ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB over 18.2 innings. He and Mark Leiter have been the two most reliable bullpen arms for David Ross thus far.

Okert (1-0) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk but got the win in an extra innings affair versus the Cubs on Sunday.

Okert was unable to shut the Cubs out in the 13th to try and get the save but wound up with the win instead. He now sits at one win and one hold on the year and has been a reliable arm once again this season with a 3.52 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a 10:5 K:BB over 7.2 innings.

Nardi pitched a clean inning and struck out a batter to record the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cubs

Nardi wound up with the first save of his career after the game got to the 14th inning. He needed just 11 pitches to send down the Cubs in order and has now recorded three consecutive scoreless innings outings while racking up five strikeouts in 3.1 innings over that span. The 24-year-old usually holds down a middle relief role and won't see many save chances going forward. He has a 4.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB over 15.2 innings.

Strahm picked up the save in Sunday's 6-1 win over Boston. He allowed one hit while striking out three over two scoreless innings.

Strahm was moved to the bullpen, with Ranger Suarez (elbow) returning to the Phillies' rotation this week. The left-handed Strahm immediately picked up his first save, pitching two scoreless innings to close out a 6-1 victory over the Red Sox after Jose Alvarado pitched in the seventh. While Strahm could earn a back-end bullpen role, he's not likely to see regular save chances behind Alvarado and Craig Kimbrel. Strahm is 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB through 28.2 innings this season.

Phillips struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Padres.

Phillips needed just nine pitches to quickly finish the 5-2 win in the 10th inning. He's picked up a save in three straight appearances and has converted all five of his opportunities this season. Phillips lowered his ERA to 2.25 with a 16:3 K:BB through 12 frames.

Hader allowed a solo home run and was charged with a blown save during Sunday's loss to the Dodgers. He pitched one inning and did not record a strikeout.

Mookie Betts drilled a two-out, game-tying solo homer off Hader in the ninth inning. The Padres would go on to lose in the 10th inning, so Hader wasn't charged with a loss. It was his first blown save after converting 11 straight to begin the season. Hader still owns a strong 1.13 ERA and 20:6 K:BB through 16 innings this season.

Harvey walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 9-8 win over the Diamondbacks.

It didn't look like the Nationals were going to produce a save opportunity until Joey Meneses put them ahead with a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning. With Kyle Finnegan having pitched three of the last four days and blowing a save Saturday, Harvey got the call instead, and he delivered his first save of the season. The right-hander has mostly functioned in a setup role this year, with seven holds and a blown save through 15 appearances. He's kept runs off the board in six of his last seven outings and owns a 2.30 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings overall.