MLB Player News

Sands struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Brewers.

Jhoan Duran was unavailable after pitching Wednesday and Thursday, but manager Rocco Baldelli elected to use Griffin Jax in the eighth inning Friday against the top of Milwaukee's order before handing the ball to Sands for the ninth. Sands has earned his spot in Minnesota's high-leverage crew with a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 17.2 innings on the season, but despite picking up two saves in the last three days -- his first came in the second game of Wednesday's twin bill after Duran had worked the matinee -- the 27-year-old righty still appears to be no higher than third in the pecking order for closing duties.

Nelson will re-enter the Arizona rotation as a replacement for the injured Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) and is expected to make his next start Monday or Tuesday versus the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Nelson made a spot start for last Monday against the Mets in place of Corbin Burnes, but the former had since shifted back to a relief role this week after Burnes didn't require a stint on the injured list. During that start, Nelson tossed 30 pitches, and he's been able to stay fairly stretched out while working out of the bullpen for much of the season, throwing at least 50 pitches in four of his nine relief outings. Manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he's comfortable with Nelson working in the 65-to-70 pitch range for a couple of starts before ramping up beyond that, though it's not clear how long Nelson will be needed in the rotation. He currently holds a 5.13 ERA but a 3.93 xERA and a 16.1 K-BB% over 26.1 total innings on the season.

Finnegan earned the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Orioles, allowing one hit with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not issue a walk.

The Nationals brought Finnegan in for the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. He was able to work around a Jackson Holliday single to secure the save while tossing 15 pitches (nine strikes). Finnegan has earned a save in each of his last five outings, and his 14 saves are second-best in the majors behind Robert Suarez (15). Finnegan has a 2.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 16.2 innings this season.

Bautista (0-1) allowed one run on one hit and two walks in the ninth inning Friday versus Washington and came away with the loss. He did not record a strikeout.

Bautista was brought in for the ninth inning to keep the game tied at 3-3. He was one out shy from escaping the inning after issuing back-to-back walks, but he wasn't able to beat out Nasim Nunez to cover first base, and Bautista's late throw to home plate allowed Jose Tena to score from second. Bautista has given up one earned run in each of his last two outings and is now up to a 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB across 13 innings this season.

Iglesias picked up the save in Friday's 4-2 win over Boston after allowing one run on one hit in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Iglesias' uneven start to the season continued, as he's now given up five runs on 11 hits over his past five outings. Among the veteran right-hander's 19 appearances, only six of them have been perfect. Iglesias owns a 5.89 ERA and 1.42 ERA on the campaign, but he does sport a 20:4 K:BB and has converted eight of his 11 save chances as Atlanta's closer.

Brieske worked around two hits to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Friday's 5-4 win over Toronto. He did not record a walk or strikeout.

Tommy Kahnle was dispatched in the eighth inning, and rather than bring Will Vest to close things out the Tigers opted to call in Brieske for the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. Brieske got the first two batters out, and after issuing consecutive singles he closed things out by getting Ernie Clement to ground out. It was Brieske's first save of the season, but he still has a 6.59 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 13.2 innings.

Weaver came away with the save in Friday's 6-2 win over the Mets, retiring the only batter he faced in the ninth inning.

Weaver was brought in during the ninth inning after Yerry De Los Santos yielded an RBI double to Francisco Lindor. With runners on second and third, Weaver needed only two pitches to finish things off by getting Juan Soto to fly out to center field. It was Weaver's fifth save of the campaign, and he has a 0.44 ERA, 0.59 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 20.1 innings this season.

Suter will serve as the Reds' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Guardians, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Chase Petty will move into a bulk-relief role Saturday while Suter likely covers the first inning or two. The 35-year-old southpaw has been one of the most reliable arms on the Reds' pitching staff this season, logging a 2.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 21.2 innings.

Diamondbacks Torey Lovullo said Friday that Martinez (shoulder) will throw in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Martinez is in the final stages of his recovery from right shoulder inflammation, which caused him to be placed on the 15-day injured list in early May. He progressed to facing live batters earlier this week, and he'll take the next step in his rehab program by throwing in an ACL game Saturday. Martinez could return to the big club shortly after Saturday's outing depending on how his shoulder responds.

The Athletics designated Alexander for assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Alexander was lit up for three homers and gave up nine earned runs in 2.1 innings during Thursday's 19-2 blowout defeat against the Dodgers. His dreadful performance will result in him returning to the minors alongside Osvaldo Bido, with Matt Krook and Anthony Maldonado coming up from Las Vegas to replace them.