MLB Player News

Rogers earned the save against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing one unearned run on one hit in one inning. He struck out one batter.

For the second game in a row, Rogers got the call with San Francisco ahead in the ninth inning. The Giants' defense committed two errors behind him to allow Chicago to pull within a run, but the right-hander got out of the inning with the save secure despite throwing only half of his 22 pitches for strikes. Rogers and Jake McGee each have eight saves on the season, but with five saves in his past eight appearances, Rogers may be the slight favorite for ninth-inning opportunities moving forward.

Smith racked up three strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

Smith threw 11 of his 14 pitches for strikes to close out the victory. The 31-year-old gave up a run Thursday in a non-save situation, but he has now recorded scoreless innings in four of his last five outings. The closer has a 4.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 32:8 K:BB and 10 saves in 22 innings this year.

Cleavinger (forearm) recently tossed a bullpen session, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Cleavinger hasn't pitched since May 15 and hit the injured list May 18 with left forearm irritation. He is currently rehabbing at the team's training facility in Arizona. The left-hander is expected to go on a rehab assignment of at least one week when he is ready to pitch in games.

Alexander (shoulder) has been rehabbing at the Dodgers' training facility in Arizona but has yet to throw a bullpen session, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Alexander last pitched May 1 and isn't yet close to a return. Manager Dave Roberts recently indicated that the reliever will require a rehab assignment lasting at least one week when he is ready to return to game action.

Pomeranz (lat) is expected to return in late June or early July, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Pomeranz has been sidelined since mid-May. He appeared to be making progress but suffered a setback in late May and was shut down from throwing. It's not clear exactly when the Padres expect him back, but it doesn't look like it will happen for several more weeks.

Williams (2-0) walked one and struck out two in one inning to earn the win Saturday versus Arizona.

Williams kept the game tied at 5-5 in the top of the eighth inning. Milwaukee took the lead on back-to-back home runs by Christian Yelich and Omar Narvaez in the bottom of the eighth. Williams has been a little shaky lately, allowing three runs across his last four outings. He has a 4.22 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 34:15 K:BB across 21.1 innings this year. He's racked up eight holds and three blown saves.

Hader pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save in Saturday's 7-5 win over Arizona.

Hader needed 18 pitches to convert the save, but he was able to get the job done. He remains a perfect 14-for-14 in save chances with a 0.76 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB across 23.2 innings this year. Saturday was his eighth straight scoreless inning -- Hader has given up just three hits and a walk with 13 strikeouts in that span.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained Saturday that Graterol was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City to work on his sinker and slider, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol was activated from the injured list Friday but was kept in the minors despite already making a pair of rehab appearances with the Triple-A club. Roberts clarified that the reliever struggled with command of his sinker and with the shape on his slider earlier this season, so he will focus on those pitches while working his way back to the majors. Graterol is still expected to play a key role in the Dodgers' bullpen before long.

Doval was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

Doval made his big-league debut in mid-April and made 13 relief appearances before getting demoted in late May. He struggled to a 7.59 ERA and 1.59 WHIP while walking 12.0 percent of opposing batters. Scott Kazmir was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Gilbreath was recalled by the Rockies on Saturday.

Gilbreath will return to the major-league bullpen after a short stint with Triple-A Albuquerque. The southpaw has made nine relief appearances for the Rockies this year and has posted an 8.64 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 8.1 innings.