MLB Player News

Puk (1-8) was credited with the win Sunday over the Mariners, striking out two batters in two perfect innings of relief.

The left-hander took over from Kyle Tyler to begin the fifth inning with the Marlins ahead 6-2, and Puk needed only 20 pitches (14 strikes) to rack up six outs and become the pitcher of record. He appears to be regaining his prior form now that he's no longer in the rotation -- through 10.2 innings in June, Puk sports a 3.38 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB. Should closer Tanner Scott be dealt by the trade deadline, Puk would be a candidate for saves given his experience in the role last year.

Nardi picked up his seventh hold of the season Sunday, giving up a hit and striking out a batter to record the final out of the seventh inning.

The southpaw has overcome some early season struggles and hasn't walked a batter in 12 straight appearances, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10:0 K:BB through 9.2 innings over that stretch. Nardi's seven holds ties him with Anthony Bender for the team lead, and if closer Tanner Scott gets dealt before the trade deadline, the duo would still represent the top options to step into ninth-inning duty for the Marlins.

Johnson gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning Sunday to record his eighth hold of the season in a win over the Yankees.

The right-hander has been sharp in June, getting scored upon only once in eight appearances with a 3.12 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 8.2 innings. Johnson is quickly closing in on the career-high 12 holds he collected in 2023 as part of Atlanta's high-leverage bridge to closer Raisel Iglesias.

Holderman (1-3) allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one across one inning to take the loss Sunday against the Rays.

Holderman entered the game in the eighth inning with the score knotted at 1-1 and allowed four of the first five batters he faced to reach base to account for the damage. This was the first time he has allowed an earned run in 10 appearances for the month, and he still has a 1.30 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 27.2 innings on the season. Aroldis Chapman figures to be the primary closer while David Bednar (oblique) is sidelined, but Holderman could also pick up some save chances as arguably Pittsburgh's best remaining high-leverage reliever.

Helsley picked up the save Sunday against San Francisco, striking out two batters during a perfect ninth inning.

Helsley has two more saves than any other closer and is now 26-for-27 on save chances this season. While he's been able to dodge blown saves, Helsley has had to work through plenty of trouble lately, allowing multiple baserunners in seven of his last 12 appearances. Still, the 29-year-old holds a 2.38 ERA and a 40:13 K:BB across 34.0 innings this season.

Beeks (4-4) blew the save and took the loss Sunday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on three hits with a strikeout across one inning.

Beeks was given his first save opportunity since June 5 but couldn't come through for his seventh save of the campaign. Colorado led 1-0 heading into the ninth inning, but Beeks yielded an RBI double to Lane Thomas that plated CJ Abrams -- who advanced to second on a wild pitch -- before allowing Thomas to steal third and score on a two-out single by Joey Meneses. Although Beeks is 6-for-11 on save chances, he owns a 3.76 ERA and should still be in the mix with Tyler Kinley for saves as part of a shaky Rockies bullpen.

Finnegan picked up the save Sunday against Colorado, allowing two hits with two strikeouts across a scoreless ninth inning.

After blowing the save Saturday night on a pitch clock violation with the bases loaded -- the first time that's happened since MLB introduced the pitch clock -- Finnegan was able to convert for his 22nd save of the campaign Sunday. However, he flirted with danger as Ryan McMahon and Brendan Rodgers hit back-to-back singles to start the final half-inning. Finnegan kept the game-tying run at second and retired three straight to close out the contest. The 32-year-old trails only Ryan Helsley and Emmanuel Clase for the most saves in baseball.

Diekman struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Cubs.

The ninth inning was far more dramatic than usual for a team protecting a three-run lead. Edwin Diaz was ejected after failing an inspection for sticky substances before he threw a pitch, and Drew Smith got two outs before putting Dansby Swanson aboard with a single. Diekman came into the game and closed it out by fanning Patrick Wisdom on three pitches. Pitching as a part-time setup man, Diekman has a 3.80 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 29:18 K:BB with three saves, six holds and two blown saves over 23.2 innings this year. With Diaz facing a 10-game suspension, it'll likely be Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino picking up most of the save chances in the near term, though Diekman and Smith could also be in the mix depending on the situation as manager Carlos Mendoza will likely turn to a committee approach.

Nunez (nose) allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one in a one-inning relief appearance during Sunday's 5-2 win over the Cubs.

Nunez had not pitched since June 15 due to a sinus infection, and he wasn't very sharp after a whole week off. The right-hander served up a two-run home run to Christopher Morel, but that was all the Cubs could muster. Nunez has a 2.89 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 27:4 K:BB over 18.2 innings this season, and he's added four holds while occasionally seeing high-leverage assignments.

Tyler allowed two runs on three hits and three walks over four innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out two during the win over Seattle.

Tyler made his first career MLB start and first MLB appearance since April 26. He worked three scoreless frames before coughing up a two-run homer to Luke Raley in the fourth inning. Tyler threw just 36 of 65 pitches for strikes. Due to several injuries to Miami's pitching staff, he could draw another start with the big club. As of now, Tyler would currently be lined up to start in Philadelphia.