MLB Player News

Chafin (1-0) picked up the win Monday over the Reds, working a perfect sixth inning. He didn't strike out a batter.

The veteran lefty was one of six Nationals relievers to take the mound after starter Jake Irvin couldn't escape the fourth inning, and Chafin was credited with the win even though Washington never trailed in the game. He's been tagged with just one run in seven appearances since returning from a hamstring strain in early July, posting a 1.50 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 2:0 K:BB over 6.0 innings during that stretch. With the Nats expected to be motivated sellers at the trade deadline, Chafin could find himself landing with a contender before the end of the month.

Raley (1-0) gave up a hit in a scoreless eighth inning Monday to record the win over the Angels. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

Making his second appearance of the season, Raley kept the game knotted at 5-5 in the top of the eighth before the Mets took the lead for the first time on the night in the bottom of the frame. The 37-year-old missed most of last season and the first part of the current campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2024, but Raley has been slotted right back into a high-leverage role as the only healthy southpaw in the New York bullpen.

McLean could be an option for the Mets' bullpen if the team doesn't trade for any high-leverage relievers at the deadline, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

General manager David Stearns has gone this route in the past during his time in Milwaukee, breaking in future aces Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta in relief roles. The Mets are actively working to acquire established bullpen arms however, and using a prospect like McLean in high-leverage spots during a playoff push would appear to be Plan B. McLean is having a breakout campaign in the high minors, posting a combined 2.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 101:41 K:BB over 90.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.

Yates retired both batters he faced to earn the save in Monday's 5-2 win over the Twins.

Yates had to come in during an at-bat, as Tanner Scott (forearm) couldn't continue against Ryan Jeffers in the ninth inning. Yates also allowed an inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly, but he was able to prevent further damage to earn his third save of the campaign. He's been a little shaky in July, allowing three runs (two earned) over five innings while taking one loss. Yates has a 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 43:9 K:BB with 13 holds over 30.1 innings across 37 appearances. Should Scott land on the injured list, Yates and Alex Vesia are the current healthy candidates for ninth-inning duties, though Blake Treinen (forearm) could also be in the mix once he completes his rehab assignment. It's also possible the Dodgers focus on picking up a high-end reliever before the trade deadline to replenish their bullpen depth, especially if Scott's injury ends up being significant.

Suarez earned the save after working a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit while striking out one, during Monday's 2-1 win over the Marlins.

Suarez has anchored the bullpen with the best ERA in MLB all season long, and he needed just 10 pitches, nine of them strikes, to earn his league-leading 29th save of the season. The 34-year-old has rebounded from a tough month of June, in which he had a 7.84 ERA, with a July that has seen him allow one run over seven appearances. His season-long ERA is down to 3.46 and his strikeouts are up to 44 in 41.2 innings.

Scott left Monday's game against the Twins due to an undisclosed injury, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The nature of Scott's injury is unclear at this time, though he was in obvious discomfort after firing his 22nd pitch of the night. He stated after the game that he felt a "sting" in his forearm, and the team will send him for an MRI on Tuesday, per Ardaya. Kirby Yates would likely be in line for save chances if Scott is looking at an IL stint, and Blake Treinen (forearm), who is nearing the end of a rehab assignment, could also get saves once he's activated.

Birdsong (4-4) suffered the loss Monday at Atlanta, allowing five runs on one hit, four walks and a hit-by-pitch while not retiring any of the six batters he faced.

This was a disastrous outing for the 23-year-old, as he completely lost his sense of the strike zone, firing just six strikes out of 25 total pitches. Entering this contest, Birdsong has issued four or more free passes in each of his previous three appearances, over which he produced a 7.62 ERA across 13 innings. This poor performance ballooned Birdsong's ERA from 4.11 to 4.80 over 65.2 total innings. The Giants had already skipped a rotation turn for the young right-hander prior to the All-Star break, as his last start came July 6, signaling the team was already considering a relief role for him. Birdsong is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Mets at home this weekend, but it would not be surprising to see the Giants either move him to the bullpen or demote him following this calamitous performance.

Diaz earned the save in Monday's 7-5 victory over the Angels, striking out three in a clean inning.

The right-handed flamethrower hit 98.7 mph on the radar gun, as he succinctly struck out the side on just 14 pitches to lock down the win. Diaz has completed 14 straight scoreless appearances, with his last earned run given up coming June 2 against the Dodgers. Over that span, the New York closer has pitched to a stellar 20:3 K:BB and 0.71 WHIP across 14 innings. Through 39.1 total frames, Diaz sports a 1.60 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 59:14 K:BB while converting 20 of 22 save opportunities.

Bednar earned the save in Monday's 3-0 win over the Tigers, allowing one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Bednar was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth and needed just nine pitches to do so. The 30-year-old remains perfect in save opportunities this season and has now gone 20 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run. He owns a 2.38 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB to go along with 14 saves across 34 innings.

Beeks (back) is slated to throw another bullpen session Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Beeks tossed a 23-pitch side session Saturday and appears to be closing in on a return from the 15-day injured list. The team has yet to announce whether he'll need a rehab assignment, as he may be ready to return after missing the minimum.