MLB Player News

Mey gave up two hits and struck out four over 2.2 scoreless relief innings in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Nationals. He didn't walk a batter.

All the scoring had already occurred by the time Mey took the mound to begin fifth inning in a bullpen day for the Reds, but the 25-year-old right-hander did what he could to keep the door open for a potential comeback. It was Mey's first big-league action since June 5, and also the first time in eight MLB appearances this season that he didn't issue a free pass. Control remains his biggest hurdle to a more prominent role -- he's got an 18:10 K:BB in 11.1 innings for Cincinnati in 2026 -- but Mey's upper-90s sinker and wipeout slider give him a sky-high ceiling if things begin to click.

Mlodzinski (6-4) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on seven hits and a walk over three innings as the Pirates were downed 6-4 by the Mets. He struck out one.

A three-run homer by Marcus Semien in the third inning was the big blow off Mlodzinski, who was making his first start since May 25. The right-hander did get stretched out to 63 pitches (40 strikes), and while he sports a 3.51 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 77:32 K:BB through 97.1 innings over 26 appearances (10 starts) on the year, he'll need better results to stick around in the rotation as the replacement for Mitch Keller (arm). Mlodzinski will get another chance to show he can handle the job on the road next week in Miami.

Lovelady (triceps) threw a light bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.

Lovelady won't be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until Aug. 28, but he could have a shot at returning on or around that date now that he's reached the point in his rehab that he's been able to get back on a mound. Before hitting the shelf June 29 due to a left triceps strain, Lovelady had notched four saves and nine holds while pitching to a 3.91 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 27 appearances for Washington.

Thielbar allowed two runs on three hits while retiring just one batter in relief during Friday's 6-4 win over the Royals.

After seven strong innings from new Chicago starter Kevin Gausman in which he allowed just two runs, Thielbar quickly ran into some trouble in the eighth. The lefty got the hook before Trent Thornton finished out the frame to earn a hold. Thielbar has been struggling recently with a 17.18 ERA across his last five appearances, which has pushed his overall ERA up to 5.30. With Thornton, Jacob Webb and Ryan Zeferjahn all seemingly ahead of him in the bullpen pecking order, and Daniel Palencia (elbow) expected back soon, Thielbar doesn't have much fantasy appeal at the moment.

Smith walked one and struck out none in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Tigers.

This was the Giants' first save chance since the trade deadline, so it's notable Smith got the call to close and answered it with a decent performance. The right-hander took a loss in two of his first three appearances in August, and he's allowed two runs with a 2:3 K:BB over 3.1 innings this month. On the year, he's posted a 2.95 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 24:11 K:BB across 21.1 innings while adding two saves and six holds. Smith is the only reliever currently on the Giants' roster with multiple saves, so he may be the slight favorite to lead a closing committee for now. That said, the 49-67 Giants are not a team to target for saves in general.

Diaz (1-1) allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while logging one strikeout over one-third of an inning to take the loss and a blown save Friday versus the Diamondbacks.

Diaz walked Max Kepler and then served up a walk-off blast to Ryan Waldschmidt two batters later. Across three innings since he returned from an elbow injury, Diaz has allowed four runs with a 4:2 K:BB, converting one of his two save chances. His closer job isn't in doubt yet, but the seat is likely getting hot, especially given the quality performances of many other members of the Dodgers' bullpen. Diaz is carrying an 11.00 ERA while converting five of seven save chances over his nine innings this season.

Iglesias took a blown save in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Yankees, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning.

Neither team could score through the first seven innings of Friday's game, but Iglesias was brought in for the ninth to protect a two-run lead after solo home runs from Austin Riley and Matt Olson. Iglesias struck out two of the first three batters he faced, but he proceeded to allow the next three Yankees on base, including an RBI double from Austin Wells and an RBI single by Ben Rice, tying the game at 2-2. It was the third blown save chance of the season for Iglesias in 27 attempts, and he's given up two earned runs in both of his last two outings. He has a 3.02 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 41.2 innings on the year.

Phillips did not factor into the decision in Friday's loss to the Angels, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out four across four innings.

Phillips gave up a solo home run to Mike Trout in the first inning, but that ended up being the only run that the right-hander yielded in Friday's start. Phillips was pulled from the game after giving up a single in the fifth inning and ended up tossing only 61 pitches (45 strikes) while inducing nine whiffs. He'll take a 3.47 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 93.1 innings into his next start, which is lined up for next week at home against the Pirates.

Webb picked up the save Friday against the Royals, striking out two during a perfect ninth inning.

The right-hander was called upon to preserve a 6-4 advantage and had no trouble putting down Kansas City in order to extend his scoreless streak to 19 games. Webb is just 7-for-11 in save opportunities this year, but he's converted his last five chances and hasn't walked a batter in his last eight outings. Daniel Palencia (elbow) is nearing his return from the injured list, but Webb's 2.44 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 58:17 K:BB through 51.2 innings this year could keep him in the closer mix even once Palencia is reinstated.

O'Brien earned the save in Friday's 3-2 win against the Rockies, allowing no hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning.

O'Brien was called in to protect a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning and worked around a leadoff walk to produce a scoreless frame. The 31-year-old has now recorded six consecutive scoreless appearances. On the campaign, the right-hander owns a 3-4 record, 3.28 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 48:20 K:BB and 28 saves through 46.2 innings.