MLB Player News

Phillips earned a hold against the Rockies on Friday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Julio Urias gave the Dodgers seven strong innings, and Phillips was summoned in the eighth as the bridge to closer Craig Kimbrel. Phillips struck out Ryan McMahon and Connor Joe to begin the frame before getting Brian Serven to pop out. The righty reliever has been impressive again in July, allowing just one run and three hits over 10 innings while posting a 12:3 K:BB. He's earned three wins, a save and five holds across his 11 appearances this month.

Dominguez (5-3) picked up the win in Friday's 4-2 extra-inning victory over the Pirates, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

The right-hander got the call on the road in a 2-2 game and set down the Pirates in order, then got rewarded when Rhys Hoskins launched a game-winning blast in the top of the 10th. Since becoming part of the team's closer committee in mid-June, Dominguez has a 1.42 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB through 12.2 innings while going 6-for-6 in converting save chances.

Brogdon struck out one in a perfect 10th inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Pirates.

Brad Hand worked the seventh inning and Seranthony Dominguez the ninth, leaving Brogdon to protect the lead the Phillies claimed in the top of the 10th. The right-hander didn't disappoint and needed only eight pitches (seven strikes) to breeze through the top of the Pirates' order. Brogdon has been one of the most reliable arms in the Philadelphia bullpen of late despite spending time on the COVID-19 list, posting a 1.42 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 12:0 K:BB through 12.2 innings since the beginning of June with two wins and three holds, in addition to Friday's save.

Kimbrel gave up two earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one over one inning to earn the save in a 5-4 victory over the Rockies on Friday.

Kimbrel was called in to protect a three-run lead on the road at Coors Field in the ninth, and he nearly blew the save after giving up two runs on a bases-loaded single to Randal Grichuk. The final out of the inning came on a nice running catch in foul territory by Trayce Thompson. Despite the shaky performance, Kimbrel picked up his 18th save of the season. Kimbrel hasn't been a lock-down bullpen arm this season, and the veteran closer's ERA has now risen to 4.37. On a positive note, the runs were his first allowed over his last seven outings.

Robertson allowed two runs on three hits across an inning of relief in Friday's 4-2 win over the Giants. He struck out one.

This was Robertson's first time allowing multiple earned runs in an outing since May 7, and it raised his season ERA from 1.83 to 2.23. That's still a very solid figure, and the 37-year-old remains a likely candidate to be traded before Tuesday's deadline, due to his steady performance and expiring contract. Robertson has been the closer for the Cubs with 14 saves this year, though a trade may shift him into a setup role in a more established bullpen, which would obviously lower his fantasy value.

Devenski struck out one over a scoreless seventh inning in Friday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta. He also hit a batter.

Devenski made his first MLB appearance since undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in June of 2021. He has experience in high-leverage spots, but it's expected the Diamondbacks will acclimate Devenski in low-pressure situations at first. He entered Friday's game with Arizona down by three runs.

Diaz struck out all three batters he faced and earned a save over the Marlins on Friday.

Diaz threw all 10 of his pitches for strikes and rolled straight through Miami's lineup to finish off a 6-4 win. He's now converted 23 of 26 save chances this season, including 13 straight dating back to May 27. The 28-year-old is riding a 14.1-inning scoreless streak, allowing just six hits with a remarkable 31:1 K:BB during that stretch. On the year, Diaz is sporting an 84:12 K:BB with a 1.51 ERA through 42 appearances.

Treinen (shoulder) came through Friday's live batting practice well and will throw another such session in San Francisco next week, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

This is a good sign, and Treinen continues to make progress in his recovery from a shoulder issue. The next step after live batting practice could be a rehab assignment, but it doesn't figure to be a brief one considering he last pitched for the Dodgers in mid-April.

Rogers will get "a little bit of a break" from closing, per manager Bob Melvin, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. "Our best team is with him closing," Melvin added.

The Rays will go with a closer-by-committee approach to the ninth inning for now in hopes of allowing Rogers to right the ship in lower-leverage situations. He has given up 11 earned runs while going 6-for-10 on save opportunities over his last 11.1 innings. Luis Garcia and Adrian Morejon seem like possible fill-in options for saves in the short term.

VerHagen (hip) threw a side session this week, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

VerHagen recently received a second opinion on his injury, but the evaluation apparently didn't reveal anything concerning as he's been cleared to begin a throwing program. The right-hander has been on the shelf since July 17 due to a right hip impingement, but it's possible that he'll rejoin the Cardinals' bullpen sometime in early August.