MLB Player News

O'Brien secured the save Sunday against the Reds, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

O'Brien did let the possible tying run get to the plate, but he was able to hang on for the save courtesy of a Blake Dunn flyout. The 31-year-old right-hander has been shaky at times as St. Louis' closer, though he's now collected three saves in a row and ranks second in the National League behind only Mason Miller in saves. Through 29.1 frames, O'Brien has a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB while converting 17 of his 21 save chances.

Dobbins is expected to start Thursday's contest on the mound against the Mets, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Dobbins will get a turn in the rotation after making two appearances out of the bullpen since his call-up from Triple-A Memphis on May 31. In those two outings, the 26-year-old combined to pitch 8.2 innings, allowing one run on eight hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters. Dobbins made his first start with St. Louis on April 30, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks while punching out four, and he'll look to do a better job limiting the free passes against New York on Thursday.

Fuentes earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Pirates, allowing two hits while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Raisel Iglesias having pitched back-to-back days, it was Fuentes who got the call in the ninth inning Sunday instead of Robert Suarez. It didn't come easy for the 20-year-old right-hander, as the Pirates got the tying and go-ahead runs aboard with one out. However, Fuentes managed to induce a popup off the bat of Jared Triolo before striking out Endy Rodriguez to close out the one-run victory and earn his first career save. While Atlanta still views Fuentes as a long-term starter, he's been stellar out of the bullpen recently, allowing just one run on eight hits while striking out 14 in his last 12 appearances (13.1 innings).

Bender earned the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Rays, allowing one hit while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Pete Fairbanks was utilized out of the bullpen Saturday, so the Marlins called on Bender to close out Sunday's game. Bender ended up tossing 24 pitches, 10 of which came in his strikeout of Cedric Mullins to seal the game for Miami. Bender sits at a 3.04 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, five holds and a 29:9 K:BB across 26.2 innings this season.

Colorado optioned Shook to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Shook joined the Rockies on June 1 and appeared in three games, allowing two runs while posting a 3:0 K:BB over 3.2 innings. He's headed back to the minors in favor of lefty reliever Sammy Peralta, who was called up from Albuquerque to take Shook's bullpen spot.

The Diamondbacks optioned Abner to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Abner was called up to the big club Thursday after Taylor Clarke landed on the family medical emergency list. In his lone appearances with the Diamondbacks, Abner gave up five runs over 1.1 innings against Washington on Friday. Clarke was reinstated Sunday, so Abner will move back to Reno to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster.

Arizona reinstated Clarke from the family medical emergency list Sunday.

Clarke missed three days while tending to a personal matter. He's now back in the Diamondbacks' bullpen, and lefty reliever Philip Abner was optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

Devenski (illness) was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Devenski landed on the injured list May 7 due to an unspecified illness. He resumed baseball activities in late May and was subsequently said to be nearing mound work, but it appears he needs substantially more time before returning to game action. Devenski is not eligible to be activated until early July, and his 40-man roster spot was taken Sunday by infielder Davis Wendzel.

Johnson (elbow) is expected to toss a bullpen session Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Johnson last pitched May 26 before landing on the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation, retroactive to May 27. He's set to test out the elbow with mound work Tuesday, and a minimum-length stay on the injured list remains a possibility. Johnson could bypass a minor-league rehab assignment if Tuesday's throwing session goes well.

The Reds optioned Mey to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Mey was recalled from Louisville on Tuesday and got into one game during his latest stint with the Reds, allowing two runs on three walks, a hit batsman and one hit over one-third of an inning versus St. Louis on Friday. He'll now return to the minors in order to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Rhett Lowder (shoulder), who was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move.