MLB Player News

Littell pitched a perfect 11th inning to earn the save in Sunday's 9-8 win over the Rockies.

Littell was the seventh reliever the Giants deployed in this contest, and he was able to lock things down after Wilmer Flores' sacrifice fly put them ahead in the top of the 11th. Littell has covered three scoreless innings in two appearances since returning from an oblique injury Wednesday. He has a 4.59 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB across 33.1 innings this year, though he's added only one save and three holds as more of a low-leverage reliever. As such, he shouldn't be considered likely to see many additional save chances.

Robertson (3-1) allowed two runs on two hits while taking a loss against the Mets on Sunday. He struck out two and was charged with a blown save.

It was announced that Robertson wouldn't be Philadelphia's lone closer while Seranthony Dominguez (triceps) is on the injured list, and he didn't improve his stock with Sunday's outing. The 37-year-old righty served up a two-run homer to Mark Canha and was charged with his sixth blown save of the year. Robertson's ERA jumped from 1.86 to 2.20 through 44 appearances on the year. It's worth noting that Brad Hand and Jose Alvarado each threw a scoreless inning Sunday while Connor Brogdon was tagged with three runs in the seventh frame.

Diaz allowed one run on two hits and a walk while picking up a save over the Phillies on Sunday. He struck out one batter in one inning of work.

Diaz's 21-inning scoreless streak came to an end but he still converted his 18th straight save. He's sporting a 1.46 ERA with a 97:15 K:BB through 49.1 frames. Diaz has now picked up 28 saves in 31 chances while snagging a pair of holds this season.

Gallegos struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

With Ryan Helsley on the paternity list, Gallegos was the top reliever on the Cardinals' roster this weekend. He picked up a hold Saturday before that game became a 16-7 blowout, and he helped St. Louis secure the sweep Sunday with his 12th save of the year. The veteran reliever has maintained a 3.11 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 57:12 K:BB through 46.1 innings this year, and he's been fairly sharp in allowing just two runs (one earned) through seven innings in August. He'll likely find himself back in a setup role once Helsley rejoins the team.

Martinez pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Nationals.

With Josh Hader temporarily removed from the closer role, the Padres' ninth-inning situation is a committee. Luis Garcia notched the first save Saturday, but he was likely unavailable Sunday after pitching two days in a row. Martinez stepped in and earned his fifth save of the year, though three of those were of the three-inning variety in late June and early July. The 32-year-old has logged 12.2 scoreless innings with a 12:3 K:BB in August. With the Padres firmly in the playoff race, there should be plenty of save chances to go around, so it remains to be seen how many Martinez might get. He's pitched to a 3.10 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 79:34 K:BB across 90 innings in a versatile role this year.

Manaea (7-6) earned the win Sunday over the Nationals. He allowed a run on five hits and struck out four without walking a batter through seven innings.

Manaea was efficient in this win, throwing 51 of 69 pitches for strikes before the Padres went to the bullpen. Nelson Cruz's fourth-inning solo home run accounted for the lone run on Manaea's line. The 30-year-old southpaw had allowed multiple earned runs in 11 straight starts before Sunday's impressive start. He has a 4.64 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 132:45 K:BB across 130 innings through 23 starts this year. He's projected for a favorable road start in Kansas City next weekend.

Kimbrel failed to strike out any batters in a perfect ninth inning during Sunday's 10-3 win over the Marlins.

Kimbrel has been inconsistent since the start of August, posting a 4.91 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 7.1 innings over eight appearances this month. Although he picked up his 21st save of the season Wednesday, he was utilized during Sunday's blowout win. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that he won't exclusively utilize Kimbrel in save situations anymore since the team wants to focus on getting him regular work, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports. However, Roberts has expressed a commitment to using Kimbrel as the team's primary closer, and he'll be available in a potential save situation Monday against the Brewers since Roberts feels comfortable using Kimbrel on back-to-back days.

Junis (hand) underwent scans that came back negative after leaving Sunday's game against the Rockies, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Junis was hit by a comebacker on his glove hand in the bottom of the seventh inning Sunday, but initial test results are encouraging. The right-hander will undergo a CT scan Monday, but it's possible that he avoids a trip to the injured list if he ultimately isn't dealing with structural damage. If he's cleared to make his next start, he projects to start on the road against Minnesota on Sunday.

Rogers picked up the save in Sunday's 5-2 victory over the Cubs. He allowed one hit and zero walks while striking out one over one scoreless inning.

Rogers pitched around a two-out double off the bat of Seiya Suzuki to record his 29th save of the season Sunday. This was the southpaw's fourth straight scoreless outing but his first save since joining the Brewers on Aug. 2. Devin Williams still figures to be the top dog for save opportunities with Josh Hader out of the picture despite blowing the save opportunity Saturday. Keep an eye on the closer situation in Milwaukee in case skipper Craig Counsell decides to turn to Rogers more often.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested Sunday that Treinen (shoulder) is on track to return from the 60-day injured list Sept. 2, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Though Treinen didn't make his third rehab appearance at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday like the Dodgers had planned, Roberts suggested it wasn't the result of any physical setback. Treinen will take the next two weeks to get ramped up in the minors before rejoining the big club for the final month of the season. The 34-year-old right-hander will likely settle into a setup role in front of closer Craig Kimbrel.