MLB Player News

Neris blew a save chance Sunday, allowing one run on a walk and two hits in a 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Neris walked Nick Ahmed to start the ninth and then two singles later the game was tied. Manager Pete Mackanin told Corey Seidman of CSN Philadelphia after the game that Neris' splitter "is hot and cold. For every two good ones he throws, he throws two bad ones. It's hard to figure out what he's doing." Opponents are hitting .227 against Neris' splitter this season after hitting just .158 against the pitch last season. Neris will likely continue seeing save chances, though, as Mackanin seems unwilling to move Pat Neshek into the closer's role despite the fact that he has been the Phillies' best reliever this season.

Fields surrendered three runs on two hits and two walks and retired just two batters in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Reds.

Fields emerged as one of manager Dave Roberts' top setup arms after delivering a 0.84 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 21.1 innings over the first two months of the season, but he's been a disaster since the calendar flipped to June. In five appearances on the month, he's given up four runs -- all via the long ball -- in only five innings. Roberts may have Fields work out the kinks in middle relief in his subsequent appearances before the right-hander is trusted in high-leverage spots again.

Nelson (5-3) recorded a complete game Sunday against the Padres, allowing just one run on six hits. He struck out 10 batters and walked two.

Nelson threw 118 pitches, 81 for strikes, in his dominant performance that saw him effectively utilize the double-play ball. It was the first complete game by a Brewer since 2015. The right-hander has now turned in a quality start in four of his last five outings.

Jansen struck out a pair in a clean inning of work to earn his 15th save of the season Sunday against the Reds.

Jansen was called upon to protect a one-run lead and hardly could have been more dominant, throwing 10 of 11 pitches for strikes as he sat down the side in order. Though he sits well off the National League lead in saves at this juncture, Jansen has a superb 0.91 ERA and 0.57 WHIP to go along with his astonishing 50:0 K:BB this season.

Blach allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 6.2 innings in a no-decision Sunday against Colorado.

Blach was lucky to get away with just that trio of runs allowed, considering he allowed nine baserunners and two home runs. Although he has done a respectable job in the back end of the Giants' rotation, his 4.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and meager 35 strikeouts in 76 innings don't make him an appealing fantasy option.

Melancon (1-2) blew his fourth save in 14 chances as he allowed four runs on as many hits Sunday against the Rockies.

The disastrous outing has Melancon's ERA all the way up to 5.09. Combined with the meager 71 percent save conversion rate, Melancon has not been the reliable late-inning investment the Giants thought they were getting. There isn't reason to believe his job is at stake yet, but it has to be concerning for the Giants to get such inconsistency out of their 31-year-old closer.

Estevez was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Estevez was optioned to Albuquerque on June 9 but will return to the big leagues after Chad Qualls was placed on the disabled list with lower-back spasms Sunday. Estevez held an unsightly 8.16 ERA over his 14.1 innings of relief with the Rockies earlier this season.

Stewart was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA reports.

Stewart, who remains one of the Dodgers' top pitching prospects, made five starts with the big-league club last season but has spent the majority of his 2017 campaign on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. The 25-year-old returned to the field in early June and has posted a 3.24 ERA over three starts (8.1 innings) with Oklahoma City. Stewart will operate in a long-relief role with the Dodgers this season, but the team still views him as a starter in the long term.

Maurer allowed two runs on two hits over 1.1 innings during Saturday's win over San Diego.

The Friars pulled out the win, and there were more late-game dramatics after Maurer's afternoon was finished, but his inability to close out the save was another hit to his fantasy stock. With a 6.51 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, Maurer is hardly a reliable closer in the real or fantasy game, but as long as the Padres are utilizing him in save situations, he's a serviceable virtual option. Just don't be shocked if -- or when -- he losses his ninth-inning gig.

Maton recorded two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning to collect his first save of the season during Saturday's win over Milwaukee.

The 24-year-old righty flew through the minors and showed elite strikeout potential with a 29.8 strikeout percentage through 25.1 innings with Triple-A El Paso this season. He has the potential to climb the ranks of the San Diego bullpen in a hurry and is already an arm to watch in deep dynasty settings.