MLB Player News

Beeks earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Royals, pitching an inning with one strikeout and allowing two hits.

The southpaw reliever entered in the ninth and looked to be in danger after he allowed two straight singles to lead off the frame. However, Beeks recovered by retiring the next three batters to work out of the jam, securing his 13th career save. The 30-year-old has collected the last two Colorado saves and produced four straight outings without allowing an earned run over 5.1 innings. He now sports a 4.09 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB across 44 innings this season.

Doval allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning Friday, striking out one and earning a save over Cleveland.

Doval put the first two batters of the inning on base but escaped the jam to close out the 4-2 win. It was his third straight save conversion, and he's now 17 for 20 in opportunities this season. Doval has not looked like his usual self, however, as his current ERA and WHIP of 4.04 and 1.54, respectively, are both career highs.

Bivens allowed a run on four hits and a walk over three frames in a no-decision Friday. He struck out two during the win over Cleveland.

Bivens entered the game in the second inning and was tagged with a solo homer by Josh Naylor in the fourth. Over his last five outings, Bivens has given up two runs in 12 innings, dropping his season ERA to 2.65 through 17 frames. He should continue working as a bulk reliever or spot starter as necessary.

Hoffman struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning Friday and earned a save over Atlanta.

Hoffman threw nine of 14 pitches for strikes to close out the 8-6 win. He's picked up a save in three straight appearances and has converted six straight chances dating back to May 17. Hoffman now owns a stellar 1.21 ERA with a 47:8 K:BB through 37.1 frames. Jose Alvarado took the mound in the eighth inning of what appeared to be a blowout win but gave up a three-run homer to Marcell Ozuna.

The Brewers optioned Junk to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

The Brewers officially activated Aaron Civale on Friday after acquiring him in a trade with the Rays on Wednesday, so Junk will head back to Nashville in order to create room on the 26-man roster. The 28-year-old righty didn't appear in a game during his 48-hour stint with Milwaukee, but he could be an option to return to the majors if the Brewers need a fresh arm in their bullpen.

Almonte will undergo surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to miss the rest of the season, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Almonte was shut down from throwing Wednesday after receiving a second opinion on his strained right shoulder, and he'll now elect to undergo surgery rather than restart his rehab process. A clearer timeline for his recovery will likely emerge once he goes under the knife, but the Cubs aren't expecting the 30-year-old righty to return to action until some point in the 2025 season. He'll finish the 2024 campaign with a 3.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP alongside a 20:8 K:BB over 15.2 innings.

Jameson (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Friday marked Jameson's first bullpen session since undergoing Tommy John surgery last September. The 26-year-old isn't expected to pitch this season, but Friday's bullpen is an indication that Jameson is progressing well in his rehab.

The Dodgers optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

After being recalled from Triple-A and allowing four earned runs in two innings Thursday, Ramirez will now return to the minor leagues. Gus Varland will come up from Oklahoma City to replace Ramirez and give the Dodgers another fresh arm in the bullpen.

The Dodgers recalled Varland from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Varland will take the spot on the 26-man roster vacated by southpaw Nick Ramirez, who was optioned to Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Varland made seven appearances out of the Dodgers' bullpen before being sent down to the minors May 15, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.83 WHIP over six innings. Over his last four minor-league outings, Varland has given up two hits and one walk while striking out four across four scoreless frames.

O'Brien (forearm) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday and will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Springfield on Tuesday if the live BP session goes well, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

O'Brien suffered a setback in his recovery June 23, but he's nearing a return to game action, with Saturday's live BP his last checkpoint to clear before starting a rehab assignment. O'Brien has been shelved since March 31 but is on track for a late July return.