MLB Player News

Diaz gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his sixth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Padres.

A leadoff single by Jurickson Profar and a stolen base by pinch runner Jose Azocar created another nervous ninth for the Mets, but Diaz buckled down after that and fanned Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth to preserve the win. Diaz's velocity appears to be all the way back -- his fastest pitch Friday hit 100 mph -- and he's looked to be in just about peak form in two appearances since recovering from a shoulder impingement. The 30-year-old right-hander is just 6-for-10 in converting save chances in 2024, but as long as he's healthy he should be locked in as the Mets' closer.

Bednar allowed one earned run on one hit while striking out one Friday against the Rockies.

Bednar was called upon to preserve a 5-1 lead in the ninth inning. He retired the first two batters he faced without issue but then served up a solo home run to Charlie Blackmon. Bednar has now given up a home run in consecutive appearances, though the Pirates still won on both occasions.

Dominguez struck out two in a perfect 11th inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Orioles.

Jose Alvarado, Jeff Hoffman and Orion Kerkering had all pitched earlier in the night, but the Phillies' deep bullpen still had someone with closing experience available once they took the lead in the top of the 11th. Dominguez has been tagged with a run in only one of 14 appearances since the beginning of May, posting a 0.68 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB in 13.1 innings over that stretch, but he could still be shut out of consistent high-leverage work given the effectiveness of the other arms ahead of him in the pecking order.

Howard (0-1) allowed four runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out one over 2.1 innings Friday, taking the loss versus the Angels.

Howard had been generally passable over his first three appearances (one start), but he struggled as the starter against a weak offense Friday. The Angels got on the board in the second inning and then poured it on in the third before Howard exited the contest. He's now at a 4.02 ERA with a 1.66 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB over 15.2 innings this season. The right-hander's time in the rotation was always likely to be temporary, though none of Blake Snell (groin), Alex Cobb (hip/shoulder) or Robbie Ray (elbow) are particularly close to returning. If Howard remains in the rotation, he's lined up to make his next appearance on the road against the Cubs.

Vesia allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Royals.

Most of the Dodgers' bullpen had pitched twice over the last three days, including regular closer Evan Phillips. The two freshest relievers were Vesia and Daniel Hudson, who earned the win after pitching the eighth inning. Vesia is on an 8.2-inning scoreless streak with a 13:1 K:BB, two saves and two holds in that span. He continues to impress this season with a 1.13 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 42:15 K:BB over 32 innings. He's up to three saves and four holds, so while he hasn't often been rewarded for his strong pitching, he's still capable of handling high-leverage assignments.

McGough will serve as Arizona's opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Saturday will mark McGough's second time serving as Arizona's opener, and he's once again expected to work in front of Tommy Henry, who is likely to operate as a bulk reliever. McGough owns a 5.85 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across 20 innings this season.

Carasiti signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Friday.

Carasiti elected to become a free agent Monday after being DFA'd by the Rockies, and he'll now look to carve out a role for himself with Atlanta. The 32-year-old righty has allowed 10 earned runs in only 8.2 major-league innings this season, so it would likely take a major turnaround at Triple-A Gwinnett for him to spend any amount of time in Atlanta's bullpen.

Diaz allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk Friday while earning a save over Milwaukee.

Diaz was tasked with protecting a 6-3 lead in the ninth inning and ran into some trouble. He walked in a run after an error loaded the bases and allowed what would've been the game-tying hit if not for Will Benson throwing out Jake Bauers at home. Diaz has converted eight straight saves and 15 of his 17 chances this season. Despite his relative success in those situations, his ERA is up to 5.47 with a lackluster 27:19 K:BB through 26.1 innings.

Ortiz (3-2) picked up the win Friday against the Rockies, yielding one run on seven hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out three.

After Carmen Mlodzinski tossed a scoreless opening frame, Ortiz entered in the second as the bulk reliever for a scheduled bullpen day. The Pittsburgh righty held his own at Coors Field in his longest outing of the season, firing 69 pitches en route to his first win since May 5, which also came against Colorado. Ortiz has been a dependable option in the Pirates bullpen, throwing 43 innings with a 2.51 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 33:17 K:BB.

Iglesias recorded one out to earn a save over the Rays on Friday.

Iglesias came into the game with two runners on base and two outs. He quickly finished the 7-3 win with just three pitches. He's now converted 10 straight saves and is 18 for 20 in save chances this season. Iglesias is sporting a 2.10 ERA with a 17:5 K:BB.