MLB Player News

Ottavino yielded an unearned run on two hits and a walk and notched a strikeout en route to recording his third save of the season Friday in the Rockies' 11-10 win over the Diamondbacks.

According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, regular closer Wade Davis was unavailable for the series opener due to a stomach ailment, paving the way for Ottavino to pick up the save chance. Though he has been one of baseball's top setup men this season, Ottavino was shaky upon being summoned with two outs in the eighth inning. He threw a wild pitch that allowed a run to score and then put back-to-back hitters on base before inducing an inning-ending popout. Then, with the Rockies holding a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and two men in scoring position, Ottavino needed a diving catch from center fielder Charlie Blackmon to rob Alex Avila of what would have been a game-tying base hit. Despite his less-than-sharp showing Friday, Ottavino should be the top choice to close if Davis requires a trip to the disabled list, though that isn't expected to be the case.

Melancon was struck in the foot with a comebacker Friday, but he appears to be fine after staying in the game to finish his frame, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Melancon's lone hit allowed over his scoreless inning was the result of a Marcus Semien comebacker that struck him in the foot and ricocheted into left field for a double. The veteran reliever stayed in the game after trainers checked on him, and he appears to have avoided injury for the time being. Melancon was unlikely to be available Saturday anyway, as he has yet to pitch in consecutive contests since returning from an elbow injury June 3. The 33-year-old owns a 2.25 ERA with 11 strikeouts and one save over 16 innings this season.

Jansen picked up his 28th save after giving up a hit and striking out two over a scoreless inning in Friday's 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Jansen began the second half of the season the same way he ended the first half, with another save. The dominant closer technically gave up a two-run double upon entering the contest, but both baserunners were inherited, allowing his ERA to remain unscathed while also creating a save opportunity despite entering with a four-run lead. Jansen should receive plenty of chances to build on his 28 saves, as the Dodgers appear primed to make a big second-half run following their acquisition of Manny Machado over the All-Star break.

Rodriguez (5-1) got the win against the Athletics on Friday, giving up one earned run on three hits over 6.1 innings, striking out five with no walks in San Francisco's 5-1 victory.

Rodriguez stayed hot, as this marked his fourth win in a row, a stretch where he's posted a 26:7 K:BB and lowered his ERA to a solid 2.72 over 53 innings. He'll look to keep things going in his next start, which will pit him against the Brewers next Thursday.

Minter struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to pick up his fifth save of the season in an 8-5 win over the Nationals.

The left-hander has been scored upon only once in his last 13 appearances, converting all three of his save chances successfully during that stretch. With Arodys Vizcaino battling shoulder issues, there could be a lot more save opportunities ahead for Minter in the second half, although he may have to share closing duties with Dan Winkler while Vizcaino is sidelined.

Gsellman picked up his fifth save of the season Friday, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and two walks over two innings while striking out two in a 7-5 win over the Yankees.

Jeurys Familia was kept off the mound with a deal to Oakland apparently imminent, forcing Gsellman into a multi-inning save. Once Familia is officially a member of the A's, look for Gsellman to officially assume the closer role for the Mets.

Barraclough is unavailable for Friday's game against the Rays due to an illness, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Barraclough will be day-to-day moving forward as he's currently under the weather. His next opportunity to return will come Saturday.

Romero was placed on the minor-league DL on Friday due to a sprained oblique, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies didn't describe a timetable for Romero but it's expected that he will be out a couple weeks while recovering from this injury. Through 18 starts with Double-A Reading, he's logged a 3.80 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 100 strikeouts in 106.2 innings.

De Los Santos was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

De Los Santos allowed five runs over 4.1 innings in the final game before the All-Star break Sunday, and will return to the IronPigs with Zach Eflin (finger) eligible to come off the disabled list early next week for the Phillies. The 22-year-old has a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across two starts in the majors this season.

Suero was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Suero rejoined the Nationals on July 10 and fired 2.2 scoreless innings during this stint in the majors, and now has a 3.15 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 20 major-league innings this season. The 26-year-old will likely be one of the first options to return to Washington when it needs an additional arm as the team starts the second half with only a six-man bullpen.