MLB Player News

Boxberger struck out the only two batters he faced Wednesday to grab the save against the Giants.

Southpaw Andrew Chafin was called upon to retire the left-handed hitting Brandon Crawford to start off the ninth inning, but then Boxberger entered to shut the door for his 30th save. The 30-year-old hasn't been lights-out all year, but he's sporting a 12.6 K/9 and ranks third in the National League in saves behind Wade Davis and Kenley Jansen, making him a fairly reliable endgame option.

Richards allowed three runs on three hits and two walks across 5.2 innings Wednesday against the Red Sox. He struck out six and didn't factor into the decision.

Richards kept the Red Sox in check for the most part aside from a pair of solo homers he served up to Eduardo Nunez and Mookie Betts. The right-hander exited the game with a 4-3 lead, but an 11-run seventh inning from the Red Sox ultimately left him with a no-decision. Richards will carry a 4.26 ERA and 9.2 K/9 into his next start, which will come at home against the Phillies.

Andriese, who was optioned to High-A Visalia on Tuesday, will be stretched out as a starter while he remains in the minors, Martin Oppegaard of MLB.com reports.

The rotation has been a strength for the Diamondbacks this season, but the team doesn't have much in the way of depth behind its current five starters with Taijuan Walker (elbow) out for the season and Shelby Miller (elbow) facing a hazy timeline to return from the disabled list. With that in mind, Andriese, who made 38 starts with the Rays across the last two seasons before transitioning to the bullpen in 2018, will at least provide some decent insurance if Arizona loses another rotation member to an injury. Since Andriese hasn't tossed more than 58 pitches in any of his appearances, he'll likely require at least two outings in the minors before he's ready to handle a starter's workload. If the Diamondbacks' top five rotation options all remain healthy by the time he's ready to return to the big leagues, however, Andriese would presumably reprise a bullpen role.

Vizcaino (shoulder) tossed a bullpen session Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Braves manager Brian Snitker relayed that Vizcaino is "feeling good now," but it remains unclear when the right-hander might be ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Since Vizcaino has been on the shelf since the All-Star break due to shoulder inflammation, he'll likely require at least a couple appearances in the minors before returning to the Atlanta bullpen. With A.J. Minter thriving as the Braves' interim closer, there's no guarantee Vizcaino will get his old job back once he's activated.

Gsellman (illness) returned to the team prior to Wednesday's game but manager Mickey Callaway is uncertain if Gsellman will be able to pitch, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. "He's going to be a little weak, (he) hasn't eaten in a couple days," Callaway said.

Gsellman was unavailable Tuesday due to strep throat, and though he's back in the clubhouse, it doesn't look like he's healthy enough to pitch at the moment. There's obviously a chance that his condition will improve over the next few hours. Look for Seth Lugo and/or Jerry Blevins to be utilized in any save situations if Gsellman is unable to pitch.

Yates recorded two outs, including a strikeout, without allowing a run to pick up the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

Rookie starter Jacob Nix nearly went the distance, but was pulled in favor of Yates after coughing up a solo home run with one out in the ninth. The 31-year-old had been going through a bit of a rough stretch prior to Tuesday's outing -- he allowed at least one run in three of four appearances while picking up three losses in that span -- but he still has a 2.13 ERA and 12.6 K/9, and figures to have a firm grip on the closer's role.

Jansen gave up two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one over an inning in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Rangers.

Jansen returned from two scheduled rest days, but his post-DL struggles continued in a non-save situation. The 30-year-old has now given up seven runs (four homers) in four appearances since returning from an irregular heartbeat. Jansen noted that his heart medication was affecting his adrenaline in his previous three outings, and while he stopped taking the medicine prior to Tuesday's appearance, the sudden change caused him to be "too amped up," Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. On a positive note, there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the closer's arm, as his big cutter was routinely sitting between 92 and 94 mph Tuesday.

Iglesias earned the save Tuesday, giving up one run on two hits and zero walks while striking out one in 1.1 innings against the Brewers.

He has given up a run in each of his last two outings, taking a loss Aug. 24 in Chicago but notching the save in this one at home against Milwaukee, thanks to his teammates spotting him a 9-6 lead with four outs to go. Even with some recent bumps in the road, Iglesias has a firm hold on the closer role in Cincinnati.

Gsellman is unavailable for Tuesday's game against the Cubs due to strep throat, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Gsellman is away from the team recovering from the illness, leaving Seth Lugo and Jerry Blevins to handle any save chances in the meantime. It's not yet known when Gsellman will be cleared to return. He should be considered day-to-day.

Santana (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Santana only recently returned to the mound after injuring his rotator cuff back in June. It's unclear whether or not he'll make it back in time to pitch before the end of the season.