MLB Player News

Pressly tossed a scoreless inning of relief to earn the save in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Pirates.

After getting pulled from the closer role earlier in the year due to poor play, Pressly managed to secure his first save since April 13, and he only needed six pitches to shut the door. The veteran has seemingly turned a corner, as he's now strung together 14 straight appearances without allowing an earned run, which has lowered his ERA from 7.62 to 3.81. It's also noteworthy that Daniel Palencia, who had stepped up as the Cubs' primary closer during Pressly's demotion, worked the eighth inning Thursday. It may be too early to say that Pressly is the unquestioned closer in Chicago, though he has certainly regained enough trust to get back into the ninth inning mix, and his fantasy stock is once again on the rise.

Rodriguez (3-1) took a blown save and a loss Thursday against the Rockies, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

With Camilo Doval having pitched back-to-back days and Ryan Walker working the eighth inning Thursday, it was Rodriguez who was tasked with protecting a two-run lead in the ninth. It did not go well for the 25-year-old right-hander -- after Rodriguez recorded the first out, the next four Rockies all reached safely before Orlando Arcia knocked in the winning run with a two-out hit. Prior to Thursday, Rodriguez hadn't allowed a run in his last 16.2 innings, giving up just six hits while striking out 27 in that span. He still sports a pristine 0.90 ERA with a 0.73 WHIP and 44:5 K:BB across 30 innings while holding down a high-leverage role in San Francisco.

The Mets plan to recall Max Kranick on Friday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

The Mets are shuffling their pitching staff due to the injury to Kodai Senga (hamstring). Paul Blackburn is the likeliest candidate to take over in the rotation, while Kranick should be used out of the bullpen. He has had success in the majors this season, maintaining a 3.51 ERA and 0.96 WHIP to go along with a 23:3 K:BB across 33.1 frames.

Birdsong allowed three runs on six hits and two walks over six innings in a no-decision Thursday against the Rockies. He struck out six.

It was a solid bounce-back effort from Birdsong, who issued five walks in just 4.1 innings during his last outing versus Atlanta. The 23-year-old right-hander held the Rockies to just a pair of fourth-inning runs while posting his first quality start this season. Overall, Birdsong is 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 51:19 K:BB across 48.1 innings this year. He's currently lined up to face the Guardians at home in his next outing.

Diaz earned the save in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Nationals, allowing a walk and a hit in a scoreless inning.

After Ryne Stanek allowed three straight hits to lead off the ninth, the Mets turned to Diaz to protect a 4-1 lead with the tying run at the plate. Diaz was shaky initially, walking Nathaniel Lowe to load the bases before allowing a base hit to Josh Bell that cut the lead to 4-2. The Nats would scratch across one more run on a wild pitch before Diaz induced a pair of groundouts to strand the tying run on third base. The 31-year-old improves to 15-for-16 in save chances this year. He's allowed just one earned run in his last 18.2 innings, lowering his ERA to 2.22 with a 0.95 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB across 28.1 innings this season.

Scott pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out one batter and earning a hold in Wednesday's win over San Diego.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts elected to call upon Scott to face the middle of the Padres' order with Los Angeles holding a 4-2 lead in the eighth. Scott looked great in firing 11 of 15 pitches for strikes and retiring Jackson Merrill, Gavin Sheets and Xander Bogaerts in order. Roberts indicated in early June that the team has "no dedicated closer," and that was emphasized Wednesday, as Scott notched a hold while fellow lefty Alex Vesia struck out the side in a perfect ninth frame to grab the save. Still, Scott leads the club with 12 saves -- including three of the past five -- and remains the best choice for fantasy managers among the Dodgers' bullpen options.

The Cardinals selected Granillo's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Granillo will get his first chance to pitch in the majors after starting the Triple-A season with a 1.82 ERA and 0.86 WHIP alongside an impressive 46:8 K:BB through 29.2 innings. He'll replace Chris Roycroft in St. Louis' bullpen and Ryan Vilade on the 40-man roster.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Roycroft has failed to find a groove during his multiple stints in the majors this season, posting a 6.92 ERA and 9:9 K:BB over 13 innings. Andre Granillo is taking his spot on the roster and in the bullpen.

Lazar allowed one run on three hits and no walks in two relief innings Wednesday against the Cubs. He struck out one.

Lazar continues to operate as a multi-inning middle reliever for the Phillies, as he's worked beyond one frame in four of his six outings. The 26-year-old right-hander should remain a bullpen piece while Aaron Nola (ankle) is sidelined, but Lazar has an uninspiring 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB with zero holds over 10 innings.

Bird struck out five batters over two perfect innings of relief in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Giants.

Though he has yet to record a save this season, Bird has quietly emerged as an indispensable piece in the Colorado bullpen. He hasn't allowed an earned run in any of his last 10 appearances and has been scored upon just three times in 22 outings dating back to April 15. Over that span, Bird owns a 1.16 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 41:8 K:BB while collecting one win and seven holds in 31 innings. With both Zach Agnos and Seth Halvorsen having faltered in their recent late-inning opportunities, it wouldn't be surprising if Bird was called upon for a save chance in the near future, though the 12-55 Rockies haven't had many leads to protect all season.