MLB Player News

Bird allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across a scoreless inning Monday against the Dodgers.

Bird returned after a month-long absence due to an elbow injury. He pitched in the sixth inning with the Rockies down 3-1. While the team brought him back in a low-leverage situation, Bird is tied for fourth on the team with four holds this season.

Chapman hit one batter and struck out one across a scoreless seventh inning to record a hold Monday against the Reds.

Chapman tallied his team-leading 13th hold. His numbers remain inflated after a shaky start to the season, but he's managed to turn in eight scoreless efforts in his last nine appearances. Chapman has still walked six batters across 8.2 innings in that span, but he has otherwise been effective.

Lawrence allowed two earned runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two across 1.1 innings Monday against the Dodgers.

Lawrence was activated from the injured list Monday after missing around three weeks with a shoulder injury. He recorded the final out in the eighth inning without issue, but he then allowed the first two batters of the ninth frame to reach base -- leading to his two earned runs. Lawrence was projected to be Colorado's primary closer entering the season, but he has only two saves and two holds while struggling to a 6.35 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 21 appearances.

Hernandez (1-0) picked up the win Monday over the Tigers, giving up a hit and a walk in a scoreless eighth inning. he struck out two.

With the score tied 1-1, the right-hander faced the heart of Detroit's order and escaped a one-out jam by fanning Gio Urshela and Akil Baddoo. Hernandez has been effective in four big-league appearances this year, allowing just an unearned run in four innings with a 5:3 K:BB, but he's unlikely to see more than occasional high-leverage usage in Atlanta's deep bullpen.

Miller (2-2) allowed three runs on two hits and a walk over 1.1 innings, earning the win Monday over the Cubs. He did not record a strikeout.

Miller allowed an inherited runner to score in the seventh inning on a Seiya Suzuki double, and Ian Happ followed that up with a three-run blast. That would have left Miller in line for the loss, but he pitched a scoreless eighth, and the Giants' offense rallied for the lead in the ninth. The southpaw has allowed six runs (four earned) over his last four appearances, one of which was an opener assignment Sunday versus the Angels. He's at a 4.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB with 10 holds and three blown saves over 34 innings. Miller is a versatile reliever, though his grip on a part-time setup role was tenuous even before his recent struggles.

Kittredge (1-3) allowed two unearned runs on one hit over two innings, earning the win over the Marlins on Monday.

Kittredge allowed a run in each of the 11th and 12th innings, but the Cardinals were able to establish a two-run lead in the 12th. Through 10 innings in June, Kittredge has allowed six runs (four earned) with an 8:3 K:BB. The right-hander is at a 3.27 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB with one save, 19 holds and four blown saves through 33 innings in a high-leverage role this season.

Neris (6-2) took the loss and blew a save against the Giants on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

Neris entered in the top of the ninth frame with Chicago leading by two runs. He got one out before Jorge Soler reached base on catcher's interference. Mike Yastrzemski followed with a walk before Thairo Estrada gave San Francisco the lead with a three-run homer. Though Neris retired the following two batters, the damage had been done, and the Cubs weren't able to mount a comeback in the bottom of the frame. The blown save was the fourth of the season for Neris and his third over his past seven chances. He's allowed nine earned runs across his past 8.2 frames, so his hold on the closer position may be tenuous.

Doval earned a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out one batter in one perfect inning.

San Francisco scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a one-run lead, and Doval entered in the bottom of the frame to try to slam the door on Chicago. He did so without much trouble, needing just 11 pitches to set down the side in order. The outing helped wash away the sour taste of Doval's outing one day earlier, when he allowed four runs over one-third of an inning in a non-save situation against the Angels. On the season, the closer has racked up 13 saves in 15 chances while posting a 4.71 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 36:21 K:BB over 28.2 frames.

Spiers (0-1) took the loss Monday versus the Pirates after he gave up four runs on seven hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Spiers gave up five hits and all four runs in the first two innings before settling in nicely. The 26-year-old had impressed as a multi-inning reliever, leading to the opportunity in the rotation. There is no word yet on whether he will get another turn through the rotation, but the 3.20 ERA through 25.1 innings this season should keep him in the conversation.

Bednar pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save against the Reds in Monday's 4-1 win.

After serving up homers in each of his last two appearances, Bednar got back on track with a clean frame Monday. Bednar had a disastrous start to the season with 14 earned runs allowed in his first 13 outings, but he's turned it around with a 1.88 ERA over his last 19.1 innings. Despite the 5.34 ERA for the season, Bednar remains one of the better late-inning options, as his 15 saves are tied for eighth most in the majors.