MLB Player News

Poulin will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game versus the Phillies, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Poulin is no stranger to opener assignments, as Tuesday will mark his 10th of the season. The southpaw has held lefty bats to a .173/.283/.346 batting line in 2026, so it makes sense to have him face Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper at the top of the Philadelphia lineup before turning the game over to righty Zack Littell, who will work in bulk relief.

Santillan (1-4) was the losing pitcher Monday, allowing two runs (one earned) while walking one in a 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

Santillan, who entered a scoreless tie in the 10th inning, gave up runs for the first time in eight outings. Monday's results aside, he appears to have settled in as the Reds fill-in closer until Emilio Pagan (hamstring) returns, which could happen within a week. Pagan threw a second live batting-practice/simulated-game session Monday and is expected to begin a brief rehab assignment Thursday.

O'Brien picked up the save in Monday's 3-2 victory over the Diamondbacks. He did not record a strikeout during a perfect ninth inning.

O'Brien made quick work of the Diamondbacks, retiring the side to secure the victory. The right-hander has had an uneven June, allowing runs in three of eight appearances while recording more walks (seven) than strikeouts (six) across eight innings. Overall, the 31-year-old owns a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB while converting 19 of 23 save opportunities. Among National League relievers, only Mason Miller (21) has more saves than O'Brien this season.

Miller allowed a hit and a walk and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 1-0 win over Atlanta.

Miller flirted with danger a bit, but he got the job done while protecting a thin lead. He's converted two saves in as many outings since returning from the bereavement list. The star closer is 21-for-21 in save chances this season while pitching to an excellent 0.84 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 63:13 K:BB over 32 innings.

Scott recorded a save against the Twins on Monday with a scoreless inning of work.

Scott was summoned in the bottom of the ninth inning with Los Angeles clinging to a one-run lead. The lefty didn't record a strikeout for the first time over his past eight appearances, but he got the job done, retiring the side in order on just 11 pitches. Scott has picked up a save in each of his past four appearances and is 10-for-11 on save opportunities this season. Edwin Diaz (elbow) recently resumed throwing bullpen sessions and could return shortly after the All-Star break, but until then Scott is the Dodgers' clear-cut primary closer.

Kuhnel earned a save against the Reds on Monday, allowing an unearned run on one hit over a scoreless inning of work.

Kuhnel had been struggling a bit since being dealt to the Brewers on June 6, as he gave up three runs on three solo homers over his first 4.1 innings of work. Nonetheless, manager Pat Murphy turned to the right-hander in the bottom of the 10th inning Monday after Milwaukee scored two runs in the top of the frame. Kuhnel came through, allowing the automatic runner on second base to score but managing to slam the door for the save. Primary closer Trevor Megill tossed a scoreless ninth inning and earned the win, and he should get the bulk of the team's save chances moving forward, so there's no need for fantasy managers to rush to the waiver wire for Kuhnel.

Beeter earned the save Monday against the Phillies, allowing one hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Beeter was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and made quick work of the assignment. After allowing a leadoff single to Bryce Harper, the right-hander immediately erased the threat by inducing a double-play groundball before striking out the final batter of the game to secure his sixth save of the season. Beeter has now recorded saves in consecutive appearances and appears to have solidified his standing as Washington's primary closer. He owns a 3.47 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 26:16 K:BB across 23.1 innings on the year.

Rangel did not factor into the decision Monday against the Nationals, allowing one run on five hits while striking out four over five innings.

After opener Tim Mayza allowed a run in the first, Rangel kept Washington's offense in check and provided valuable length for a Philadelphia pitching staff that has been searching for rotation stability. It was just the seventh major-league appearance of Rangel's career after being recalled earlier Monday. He also impressed in his only previous outing for the Phillies this season, striking out five batters across three innings of one-run relief. Given Philadelphia's need for starting depth, Rangel could earn another opportunity as a member of the rotation. He has posted a respectable 3.99 ERA and 73:27 K:BB across 70 innings with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season.

Phillips took a no-decision Monday against the Rangers, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out four.

It was Phillips' finest showing as a starter this year, as he turned in his first quality start Monday. The 28-year-old right-hander also threw a season-high 89 pitches, suggesting he's just about fully stretched out and ready to handle a traditional starter's workload going forward. Phillips, who has a 3.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 49:30 K:BB over 58.1 innings, tentatively lines up to take at least one more turn through Miami's rotation in St. Louis over the weekend.

Klein will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher in Monday's game in Minnesota, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

He'll draw his second start of the season, but Klein is likely to be limited to an inning or two before left-hander Eric Lauer steps in to work in bulk relief. The 26-year-old righty has emerged as a key high-leverage arm out of the bullpen for the Dodgers this season, notching two wins, one save and 10 holds while pitching to a 2.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB in 30.1 innings.