MLB Player News

Smith picked up the save Sunday against the Cubs. He struck out one over a perfect inning.

Smith shut the door in Sunday's low-scoring affair, retiring the side in order in the 10th inning to secure his first career save and a Giants victory. The right-hander's save opportunity came about with Caleb Kilian, Erik Miller and Keaton Winn already having been deployed in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, respectively. Smith likely won't see save chances regularly, though the 26-year-old could work his way into more high-leverage opportunities if he continues to pitch well.

Assad allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 2-1 loss to San Francisco.

With Jameson Taillon (hamstring) exiting with no outs in the second inning, Assad was called upon to eat innings and did so brilliantly. His five strikeouts marked a season high, and the right-hander now owns a 4.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 32.1 innings over nine appearances (three starts). If Taillon requires a stint on the injured list, Assad is a logical candidate to step into the rotation.

Manaea (1-1) earned the win Sunday against San Diego. He allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three over four innings of bulk relief.

Entering after an inning from opener Huascar Brazoban, Manaea was generally able to stay out of trouble, except for a two-run homer surrendered to Freddy Fermin in the fifth inning. The southpaw logged 66 pitches (39 strikes) in what was his second appearance since joining the New York rotation after operating exclusively as a reliever to open the season. Over his past seven outings, Manaea owns a 3.43 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB across 21 innings. The 34-year-old is tentatively slated to next take the ball Friday against Atlanta and could once again operate behind an opener.

Drohan (3-1) earned the win Sunday at Colorado, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four across 6.1 innings.

The rookie left-hander entered the outing without ever pitching beyond 4.1 innings in the majors, yet he worked into the seventh and finished with a career-high 83 pitches while recording his first career quality start. The increased workload is an encouraging development for a young pitcher still building innings. Drohan now owns a 3.11 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 37:11 K:BB on the season, and he is next scheduled for a home matchup against the Phillies.

Bowlan allowed one hit and no walks in two scoreless innings of relief Sunday against the White Sox. He struck out three.

With the Phillies nursing a 9-5 lead Sunday, Bowlan recorded the game's final six outs on just 19 pitches. The 29-year-old right-hander has seen very little high-leverage work in 2026, posting a 3.98 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB with one hold and no saves across 20.1 innings.

O'Brien secured the save Sunday against the Reds, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

O'Brien did let the possible tying run get to the plate, but he was able to hang on for the save courtesy of a Blake Dunn flyout. The 31-year-old right-hander has been shaky at times as St. Louis' closer, though he's now collected three saves in a row and ranks second in the National League behind only Mason Miller in saves. Through 29.1 frames, O'Brien has a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB while converting 17 of his 21 save chances.

Dobbins is slated to start Thursday's game against the Mets at Citi Field, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Dobbins will get a turn in the rotation after making two appearances out of the bullpen since his call-up from Triple-A Memphis on May 31. In those two outings, the 26-year-old combined to pitch 8.2 innings, allowing one earned run on eight hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters. St. Louis hasn't indicated that it will maintain a six-man rotation beyond this week, so Dobbins may need a strong showing against the Mets to make a case for earning additional starts.

Fuentes earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Pirates, allowing two hits while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Raisel Iglesias having pitched back-to-back days, it was Fuentes who got the call in the ninth inning Sunday instead of Robert Suarez. It didn't come easy for the 20-year-old right-hander, as the Pirates got the tying and go-ahead runs aboard with one out. However, Fuentes managed to induce a popup off the bat of Jared Triolo before striking out Endy Rodriguez to close out the one-run victory and earn his first career save. While Atlanta still views Fuentes as a long-term starter, he's been stellar out of the bullpen recently, allowing just one run on eight hits while striking out 14 in his last 12 appearances (13.1 innings).

Bender earned the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Rays, allowing one hit while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Pete Fairbanks was utilized out of the bullpen Saturday, so the Marlins called on Bender to close out Sunday's game. Bender ended up tossing 24 pitches, 10 of which came in his strikeout of Cedric Mullins to seal the game for Miami. Bender sits at a 3.04 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, five holds and a 29:9 K:BB across 26.2 innings this season.

Colorado optioned Shook to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

Shook joined the Rockies on June 1 and appeared in three games, allowing two runs while posting a 3:0 K:BB over 3.2 innings. He's headed back to the minors in favor of lefty reliever Sammy Peralta, who was called up from Albuquerque to take Shook's bullpen spot.