MLB Player News

Little (3-1) tossed a scoreless inning of relief to earn the win in Saturday's 5-3 victory over the Brewers. He allowed two hits and struck out one.

Little retired the first two batters of the seventh inning, then made things interesting by allowing consecutive hits. However, he escaped the frame when Andruw Monasterio was caught attempting to steal home. The lefty then earned the win when the Cubs scored two in the top of the eighth to break open a 3-3 tie. Little has been back and forth between Triple-A and the majors, though he's been fairly effective when called on by Chicago, posting a 3.80 ERA and 26 strikeouts across 23.2 innings.

Neris earned a save against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

Neris entered in the ninth inning with Chicago holding a two-run lead and got into a bit of hot water when two of the first three hitters he faced reach base. However, the veteran reliever bounced back to strike out the final two batters of the frame. Neris secured his 11th save of the season and recorded his third straight scoreless outing. That may have helped him steady his grip on the closer role to some extent after he blew two saves and gave up seven earned runs across 2.2 frames over three appearances between June 11 and June 17.

Scott struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 12th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Phillies.

The southpaw delivered his eighth straight scoreless appearance on 12 pitches (eight strikes), and Scott has racked up four saves in four trips to the mound over the last week. The 29-year-old closer has put his shaky start to 2024 firmly behind him, and he sports a 1.50 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 38:23 K:BB through 36 innings while converting 12 of 14 save chances.

Graceffo allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings of relief in Saturday's 9-4 loss to the Reds.

Graceffo was called on for mop-up duty after an unusually poor start from Sonny Gray and an ineffective relief appearance by John King. The Cardinals' bullpen has been leaned on heavily of late, and Graceffo was called up Friday to provide length after working as a starter with Triple-A Memphis. He has a 3.84 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 70:29 K:BB over 75 innings with Memphis this year. It's unclear if the right-hander will stick around in the majors or return to Memphis after this 67-pitch appearance, which was his first in 10 days.

Sewald struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Athletics.

Sewald has picked up saves in four straight appearances and in seven of his 10 outings in June. The closer has been virtually untouchable this month, allowing two hits, two walks and two hit batsmen while striking out six over 8.2 innings. He's a perfect 11-for-11 in save chances with a 0.57 ERA, 0.51 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 15.2 innings overall.

Spiers (2-1) earned the win against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts over six innings.

Spiers allowed an unearned run in the third inning and surrendered a solo home run to Paul Goldschmidt in the sixth. He has now thrown exactly six innings in each of his three starts this season and has posted back-to-back quality start victories. On the year, the 26-year-old owns a 3.13 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB over 37.1 innings and lines up to face the Tigers next week.

Leiter (forearm) began a throwing program Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Manager Craig Counsell said Leiter is slated to throw again Saturday as the right-hander begins his ramp-up process. It's certainly is a positive sign that the 33-year-old was able to start a throwing program just five days after landing on the IL with a strain in his right (throwing) forearm. He'll still most likely remain on the injured list for more than a minimum-length stay, but a return before the All-Star break hasn't been ruled out yet.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Brown (neck) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brown was cleared to resume throwing last week, and Saturday will mark his first time working off a mound since he landed on the injured list June 11 with a left neck strain. The 24-year-old righty remains without a firm return timeline, though he will likely require another bullpen session or two before moving on to facing live hitters.

The Diamondbacks optioned Hughes to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Hughes owns a 2.00 ERA through 27 frames at Triple-A, but he allowed four earned runs in 3.1 innings after joining the Diamondbacks' bullpen Sunday. He'll now be sent back to Triple-A to make room for Zac Gallen (hamstring), who was reinstated from the IL in a corresponding move.

The Brewers selected Zastryzny's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Zastryzny has spent all season with Nashville after signing a minor-league deal with Milwaukee during the offseason, putting up a 3.18 ERA and 0.93 WHIP alongside a 38:8 K:BB through 28.1 innings. The 32-year-old southpaw will now join the Brewers to replace Jared Koenig (forearm), who landed on the injured list, and Zastryzny will presumably work in middle relief during his stint with Milwaukee. Chris Roller was designated for assignment in order to open up a 40-man roster spot.