MLB Player News

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.

Almonte was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right elbow tightness.

It's unclear when exactly Almonte picked up the injury, as he hasn't pitched since firing a scoreless frame Aug. 3 against San Francisco. The 28-year-old has a 1.15 ERA with one save and seven holds across 31.1 innings this season, and Chris Martin could move into a higher-leverage role with Almonte and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) on the IL.

Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Jackson was up in the majors for a few days in late April but didn't see game action, and he'll rejoin the big-league league club Sunday. The 26-year-old has started in all 16 of his outings at Triple-A this year and has a 5.20 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 59:48 K:BB across 55.1 innings. Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, manager Dave Roberts suggested that Jackson is a candidate to start Wednesday's home game against the Twins. However, he could work as a multi-inning relief option if the Dodgers turn to a different starter for Wednesday's matchup.

Pomeranz (elbow) struck out two batters in a scoreless inning Friday in the first game of his rehab assignment for the Padres' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

This was the first rehab appearance for Pomeranz since he underwent surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow last August. He's been working his way back slowly but appears to have taken a significant step toward returning to the big club. Pomeranz figures to need multiple more rehab outings to get his arm back in game shape, but he could join the Padres at some point in the coming weeks.

Kahnle (forearm) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

According to Vassegh, this was Kahnle's third bullpen session since he landed on the injured list in mid-May. The veteran reliever underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2020 and has pitched in only four games since, so Los Angeles is likely to bring him along slowly. Kahnle isn't expected to return to the big club until early September.

Littell's (oblique) rehab assignment was transferred from Single-A San Jose to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Across those two levels of the minors, Littell has allowed three hits and a walk while striking out three in four scoreless innings through four rehab appearances. Given the results so far, the right-hander doesn't seem too far away from rejoining the Giants.

Suarez pitched one inning against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits. He didn't strike out or walk any batters.

Suarez missed two months due to knee surgery, and this was his first appearance for San Diego following a minor-league rehab stint that kicked off in late July. The right-hander showed some rust, allowing a run on a pair of doubles. The Padres were down by four when Suarez entered the game in the eighth inning, so this was an opportunity for the reliever to get in some work in a low-leverage situation. He'll likely function in more of a setup role once he gets ramped back up.