MLB Player News

The Rockies optioned Smith to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Smith's latest stint in the big leagues lasted all of three days. He made one appearance out of the bullpen for Colorado, striking out three over two scoreless frames in a game Wednesday against the Padres.

Mantiply struck out one over a scoreless 1.1 innings in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Mantiply did not get a win, hold or save, but his pitching contribution was the most important. With Arizona leading 2-0 entering the sixth inning, reliever Kevin Ginkel failed to retire any of the six batters faced, so it was up to Mantiply to put out the fire. The high-leverage left-hander is in the mix for saves now that Mark Melancon is no longer the full-time closer, but he may be more valuable as a fireman. Mantiply has made six consecutive scoreless appearances and sports a 1.42 ERA over 6.1 innings since the break. He doesn't blow away hitters with a high-velo fastball (90.4 mph), but Mantiply gets outs, keeps the ball in the park (0.6 HR/9) and hasn't walked many (four over 43 IP).

Beede is listed as the Pirates' starting pitcher for Monday's game in Arizona.

Though Beede will be making his second straight turn through the rotation, the Pirates may be treating his start as another glorified bullpen day. The Pirates will likely allow Beede to progressively stretch out over his subsequent starts, but he probably can't be counted on to cover much more than three frames Monday after he threw 42 pitches and lasted just 1.1 innings (while giving up four earned runs) in his first start of the season last week versus the Brewers.

Helsley picked up the save Sunday against the Yankees. He allowed one run on one hit and zero walks while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

Helsley entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning and had little trouble recording the out. DJ LeMahieu tagged him for a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning, but Helsley set down the other three batters he faced to record the four-out save, his 11th on the season. The 28-year-old reliever now sports an incredible 0.79 ERA to go with a 0.64 WHIP, and he hasn't blown a save since June 29.

Abbott (0-1) allowed seven runs on seven hits and five walks over 3.2 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Phillies.

Abbott never really found a groove Sunday as he gave up four homers in the short start, including three in the fourth frame. It was his second MLB start of the season, and he'd allowed just one run in nine frames with the big-league club before the rough outing. The 26-year-old righty saw his ERA climb to 5.68 with an 11:8 K:BB on the year. Assuming he stays in the rotation, Abbott is projected to face the Padres at home next week.

Wilson (2-6) allowed a run on four hits and no walks while striking out five in five innings to earn the win over the Orioles on Sunday.

Wilson had one of his best performances of the season Sunday and was rewarded with his first win since July 2. The right-hander has picked up just two wins over 15 appearances (12 starts) this year, but he's been relatively effective since the start of July, posting a 3.34 ERA in 32.1 innings over his last six outings. He projects to make his next start on the road against San Francisco on Friday.

Melancon allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Melancon was removed from the full-time closer gig after a blown save versus the Guardians last Monday. With Ian Kennedy unavailable after pitching the two previous days and Joe Mantiply having pitching earlier in the game, manager Torey Lovullo asked Melancon to close. He loaded the bases with two outs but got a fielder's choice to end the contest without surrendering a run for the first time in his last three appearances. Neither his recent work nor his season-long numbers -- a 4.54 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 27:15 K:BB -- should inspire much confidence in the 37-year-old's ability to lock things down. This was his 15th save in 18 chances, but expect Kennedy and Mantiply to get their chances in the ninth inning over the last two months of the season. Kennedy picked up the first two saves since the move to a committee approach, while Mantiply was deployed in the sixth inning Sunday.

Doval picked up the save Sunday in Oakland, striking out one and allowing a walk and a hit in the ninth inning of a 6-4 victory.

Doval got into trouble to start the inning with two on and only one out but managed to strike out Seth Brown and get Jed Lowrie to groundout to end it. It was his 14th save in 16 attempts this season and just his second save since the beginning of July. The lack of saves recently has more to do with the Giants slumping than Doval's performance, as he's posted a 3.09 ERA and 17:6 K:BB since the beginning of July. For the season, the 25-year-old has a 3.00 ERA, matching his rate from last season, and a solid 57:19 K:BB in 45 innings.

Diaz struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over Atlanta.

Diaz faced the top of the order, retiring Dansby Swanson, Matt Olson and Austin Riley on a combined 14 pitches (10 strikes). This was Diaz's sixth straight appearance with a save. He extended his scoreless streak to 18 innings, a span in which he's allowed seven hits, one walk and a hit batter while striking out 38. The dominant closer has a 1.39 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 91:12 K:BB and 26 saves through 45.1 innings this year.

Scott earned the save Sunday, striking out two and allowing one hit in the ninth inning of a 3-0 win over the Cubs.

Facing the top of Chicago's lineup, Scott allowed a leadoff single before retiring the next three batters, including punching out Seiya Suzuki and Patrick Wisdom. It was his 15th save in 19 chances this season. Since taking over the closer role at the beginning of June, Scott has a 3.42 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 37:18 K:BB in 26.1 innings.