MLB Player News

Matsui allowed two runs on four hits without retiring a batter in Saturday's loss to Pittsburgh.

Matsui entered with one out in the seventh inning with San Diego down 3-0. The southpaw gave up four straight hits -- three singles and one double -- to allow the Pirates to plate two runs before he was given the hook. It was an uncharacteristically poor performance by Matsui, who entered Saturday with a solid 2.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 through 23 appearances. He hasn't been on the fantasy radar, though, since he isn't being used in high-leverage situations often. Matsui has just two holds and no save chances on the season.

Rodriguez threw a scoreless inning and allowed one hit in Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Marlins.

Rodriguez made quick work of the Marlins in the eighth inning, throwing three of his five pitches for strikes and surrendering just a single. The 25-year-old right-hander hasn't been charged with a run since April 29 and leads all Giants pitchers with a 0.70 ERA, to go along with a 0.66 WHIP and 36:3 K:BB across 25.2 innings in 24 appearances.

Atlanta optioned Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

He will head back to Triple-A to clear room on the 26-man roster for Bryce Elder, who was recalled from Gwinnett in advance of his start Sunday. Dodd has been recalled from Gwinnett on three occasions over the past two weeks but hadn't stuck around long, making two relief appearances and tossing 1.2 scoreless innings between them.

Nelson allowed two hits and struck out one over four relief innings in Saturday's 11-7 loss to Washington.

The right-hander helped bail out the bullpen after starter Brandon Pfaadt was removed without recording an out. Nelson, who has been filling in for injured starter Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder), said he learned Friday that he would return to the bullpen, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. He was lined up to start Tuesday but now appears to have higher-leverage opportunities on the horizon, per Weiner.

Faucher picked up a save against the Giants on Saturday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work.

Faucher was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the ninth frame, and he was able to work around a two-out single to get the job done. The right-hander is now tied for the team lead with Jesus Tinoco with four saves on the campaign. Tinoco hasn't logged a save since mid-May, but Ronny Henriquez has pitched well and recorded a save May 25 against the Angels. However, Henriquez entered in the sixth inning Saturday with two on and two out in a 1-0 game. The team's bullpen hierarchy remains highly unpredictable, but Henriquez appears to be manager Clayton McCullough's top choice for a high-leverage fireman role, while Faucher -- who has the Marlins' last two saves -- might be settling into a more traditional ninth-inning assignment.

Helsley picked up the save Saturday against the Rangers. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out two over a perfect inning.

Helsley was rock solid Saturday, tossing a clean ninth inning to seal a victory for the Cardinals. The hard-throwing right-hander has converted nine consecutive save opportunities, delivering a scoreless frame in eight of them. On the year, the 30-year-old has a 3.00 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 21 innings.

The Nationals recalled Salazar from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Salazar had a hard time finding his footing in the majors to begin the season, posting a 9.77 ERA and 2.23 WHIP in 15.2 innings. Since returning to Triple-A on May 7, he's given up just two runs in 10.1 frames while striking out eight batters and walking seven. His turnaround will buy him another chance in the Nationals' bullpen, though he likely won't see many high-leverage opportunities. Jorge Lopez was DFA'd in a corresponding move.

Pomeranz opened Saturday's 2-0 win over the Reds and tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout.

Pomeranz only needed nine pitches to work through the opening frame, and the lefty set up bulk pitcher Ben Brown, who followed with six scoreless innings of his own. Pomeranz has now made 15 appearances for the Cubs this season covering 13.2 innings and has yet to allow any earned runs. That's made the veteran a valuable reliever working in front of Daniel Palencia, who has emerged as Chicago's top closing option in recent weeks.

Palencia tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to secure the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Reds.

Palencia now has five saves on the season, and all of them have come in the past 10 days. The righty is pitching well with a sparkling 1.74 ERA and 0.77 WHIP, and he's emerged as Chicago's top closer for the time being due to Ryan Pressly struggling earlier in the year and Porter Hodge (oblique) being on the injured list. Hodge's return could complicate things at the back end of Chicago's bullpen, though it seems like Palencia has done enough to hold onto the job, at least if he continues to perform at a high level.

Hall took a no-decision as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Friday's 6-2 win over the Phillies, tossing three scoreless, no-hit innings and giving up one walk while striking out four.

Since being reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday, Hall has made two appearances, giving up one earned run over 5.1 innings. Though he was being built up a starter during his minor-league rehab assignment, Hall looks like he could fill a hybrid role that includes occasional opener assignments as well as more traditional relief appearances. Hall ended up working in tandem Friday with Quinn Priester, who covered the final six innings en route to notching his second win of the season.