MLB Player News

Long (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Phillies.

Long made his first career start Sunday and turned in a strong performance to pick up a memorable victory. The only damage against him was a two-run blast by J.T. Realmuto in the third inning, but his offense provided plenty of run support. The 25-year-old rookie owns a 4.20 ERA and a 16:3 K:BB through 15 innings this season. Long could get another turn in the rotation next weekend at home against Oakland.

Smith recorded the save in the second game of a 1-0 doubleheader win against the Cardinals on Sunday, throwing a perfect seventh with two strikeouts.

Smith came in for the game's final inning and retired all three batters he faced to notch his 13th save of the season and protect a one-run lead. He's been a bit rocky thus far in 2021 with a 4.08 ERA, but a 3.03 FIP suggests better appearances lie ahead.

Young (2-5) took the loss in Sunday's 9-8 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in three innings.

Young got through the game's first two innings unscathed but allowed five runs in the third and two in the fourth before being removed. This was only Young's second start since joining the rotation for bottom-feeding Arizona, as he doesn't offer much upside.

Boxberger allowed one hit over a scoreless ninth inning Sunday and picked up a save against Colorado.

Boxberger worked around a two-out single by Trevor Story to finish off the 7-6 win Sunday. The 33-year-old has now converted all three of his save chances this season, including two in June. He owns a 3.03 ERA and a 31:8 K:BB through 29.2 innings.

Bard (3-4) gave up one run on three hits over one inning in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Brewers.

Bard was called into a 6-6 game in the ninth, so it wasn't a save situation for the 35-year-old. He gave up the go-ahead run on a single by Daniel Vogelbach with one out. He's given up four runs in his last five appearances, raising his season ERA to 4.20 through 30 innings.

Jansen saved Sunday's 9-8 win over Arizona, striking out one in a clean ninth.

Initially, it appeared Jansen would have the afternoon off but the Diamondbacks scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth to make it a one-run game, necessitating the closer's services. He only needed seven pitches, throwing six for strikes, to put away the heart of Arizona's order. He has now recorded a save in six straight appearances.

Hand struck out one in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Mets on Sunday.

Hand capped off a dominant week Sunday, as he's now earned four saves and a win across his last five appearances dating back to Monday. The southpaw tossed five scoreless innings during that time, and he's now recorded a 2.73 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 29.2 innings this year.

Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in Sunday's 2-0 win over Miami.

Kimbrel needed only 12 pitches to lock down his 20th save of the season. The right-hander has thrown 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings over his last 11 appearances, all of which have ended in a save. For the year, he's 20-for-22 in save chances with a 0.61 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 49:9 K:BB in 29.1 innings.

The Nationals plan to have Hudson (elbow) resume a throwing program during their road trip this week, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

The Nationals don't view Hudson's inflamed right elbow as a long-term concern, so he'll travel with the team and conduct his rehab away from Washington with the hope of speeding up his return to the active roster. He could require a brief minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list.

The Cubs optioned Abbott to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Abbott was sent back to the minors to make room on the active roster for Kyle Ryan, who was called up from Iowa in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old right-hander saw sparse action out of the Chicago bullpen upon being promoted June 5, appearing in four games while posting a 4.32 ERA in 8.1 innings. The Cubs will likely transition him back into a starting role once he rejoins Iowa.