MLB Player News

Pagan earned a hold against Arizona on Sunday by pitching a perfect inning during which he struck out two.

The right-hander followed Blake Snell's impressive start with a dominant inning of his own, mowing down the first two batters he faced and retiring the side in order on only 12 pitches. Pagan has held opponents scoreless in each of his past eight outings, posting a 6:1 K:BB across 7.1 innings during that span.

Knehr is expected to be available in relief behind opening pitcher Craig Stammen in a bullpen game Tuesday against the Marlins, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

When the Padres last required a fifth starter Aug. 1 following Chris Paddack's (oblique) move to the injured list, Knehr stepped in to toss three scoreless frames in a no-decision. The Padres were able to get by with a shortened rotation for the rest of the week, so Knehr was available out of the bullpen for the team's recent series in Colorado and pitched two innings in relief Friday. Paddack's turn in the rotation comes up again Tuesday, but because Knehr will only be on three days' rest for that game, the Padres will instead turn to a number of pitchers to cover innings once Stammen departs. Knehr should still be fresh enough to give San Diego two or three innings, if needed.

Boxberger (4-3) allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in one inning, taking the loss Sunday versus San Francisco.

The right-hander allowed an RBI single to Tommy La Stella in the eighth inning, and that was the decisive play in the game. Boxberger's scoreless streak came to an end at 7.2 innings. He's seen a more significant role lately with Josh Hader on the COVID-19 injured list. Boxberger has a 2.66 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 58:21 K:BB with four saves, 15 holds and two blown saves in 47.1 innings overall.

Littell allowed just one walk and struck out one over two scoreless innings to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over Milwaukee.

After getting called up Saturday, Littell was able to spare a San Francisco bullpen that had been leaned on heavily throughout the series versus Milwaukee. The right-hander protected a one-run lead for two innings to notch his first major-league save and just his third save at any level of professional baseball. Littell has a 3.16 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 27:17 K:BB and five holds through 37 innings this season. He's not likely to see many additional save chances going forward.

Wilson (2-5) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in six innings, taking the loss Sunday versus Cincinnati.

Wilson has yielded four runs across 11 innings since he joined Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. The right-hander was fine Sunday outside of a three-run fourth inning, and the seven strikeouts were a season high. He's posted a 5.24 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB across 44.2 innings overall. Pittsburgh's not exactly brimming with talent in the rotation, so Wilson could remain in a starting role, which would have him in line to face Milwaukee next weekend.

Martin allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over Washington.

Will Smith had pitched three of the last four days and blew a save Saturday versus Washington, so Martin was brought in for Sunday's save chance. He gave up an RBI double to Ryan Zimmerman but worked out of trouble to convert his first save of the year. Martin has a 3.90 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB across 30 innings this season. Richard Rodriguez worked 1.1 scoreless innings for a hold, but it's unclear if the workflow Sunday is indicative of the current bullpen hierarchy in Atlanta or just a product of the matchups.

Melancon saved Sunday's 2-0 win against the Diamondbacks, allowing one hit with two strikeouts in the ninth inning.

Melancon worked around a Kole Calhoun leadoff double to nail down the save, whiffing two Snakes along the way. The save was the veteran's first since July 29 and he now sports a 2.25 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 40:18 K:BB ratio in 48 innings.

The Dodgers placed Cleavinger on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a right oblique strain.

The severity of the injury isn't known, but Cleavinger won't be eligible to rejoin the Dodgers' active roster until Aug. 17. Cleavinger has been deployed mostly in low-leverage spots out of the Los Angeles bullpen this season, logging no holds or saves while posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.78 WHIP across 22 appearances.

Hudson (COVID-19 protocols) joined the Padres at Petco Park on Saturday and threw a light bullpen session, per MLB.com.

Hudson remains on the COVID-19-related injured list, but it appears that he could be close to a return. The right-handed reliever was traded to San Diego on July 29 -- the same day he was placed on the IL. He has yet to pitch for his new team but could have a prominent role in the Padres' bullpen once activated. Hudson registered a 2.20 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 48:7 K:BB across 32.2 innings during his time with the Nationals this season.

Helsley secured his eighth hold in a win over the Royals on Saturday, firing a perfect seventh inning.

Helsley was part of a stellar bullpen effort for the Cardinals after starter Kwang Hyun Kim exited after four frames. The right-hander has six scoreless efforts over his last eight appearances, although he's allowed two earned runs apiece in the other two outings during that span.