MLB Player News

Bender issued one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday, striking out two and earning a save against the Blue Jays.

Bender threw just 13 of 25 pitches for strikes but still closed out the 3-1 win without much trouble. It was his first outing of more than one inning pitched since July 26. Bender finishes his 2024 season at 5-2 with a 4.08 ERA, one save, 15 holds and a 59:18 K:BB through 53 frames.

Yarbrough allowed four hits over 3.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out three during the loss to Miami.

Yarbrough did not allow a runner to reach scoring position during his outing. He gave up four runs over his final 26.1 innings, dropping his season ERA from 3.86 to a career-best 3.19. He threw 98.2 innings in 44 appearances this season with the Dodgers and Blue Jays.

Bubic picked up the save Sunday against Atlanta, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout across a scoreless ninth inning.

The Royals opted for Bubic in the ninth inning, giving regular closer Lucas Erceg extra rest ahead of the playoffs. Bubic capitalized with his first save of 2024. Erceg hasn't pitched since Thursday, though that outing was his third in as many days. Bubic should see high-leverage work in the postseason, but save opportunities are still expected to go to Erceg.

Farmer picked up the save Sunday against the Cubs, walking one batter with no strikeouts across a scoreless 10th inning.

Farmer logged his first save of 2024, taking the mound in the 10th inning to close out the Reds' regular-season finale. He'll finish the campaign with a 3.04 ERA and a 70:29 K:BB across 71 innings.

Holmes struck out one in a perfect ninth inning to notch his 30th save of the season in Sunday's 6-4 win over Pittsburgh.

He finally picked up his 30th save of the season Sunday, his first since Aug. 30. The 31-year-old struggled in September, going 1-for-4 in save chances with two holds, a 6.00 ERA, a 1.67 WHIP and an 8:6 K:BB in nine innings. Holmes' 13 blown saves easily led MLB, but he still had a productive year as the Yankees primary closer, posting a 3.14 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB.

Henriquez walked one and struck out two over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Rockies.

Henriquez was able to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning, earning his first big-league save in just his third appearance in the majors. He has allowed one run and two hits with a 5:2 K:BB over 3.1 innings since his call-up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. The flame-throwing prospect raced through five levels in 2024, and it's not clear yet if the Dodgers plan to keep him in the bullpen for their postseason run.

Ruiz allowed two hits and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning against the Nationals to pick up his first save of the season. He struck out two.

Ruiz was extremely shaky in his first save opportunity of 2024, loading the bases with zero outs before producing a pair of clutch strikeouts. He induced a Juan Yepez flyout to end the threat and pick up the first save of his eight-year career. The 29-year-old veteran was a serviceable bullpen arm for Philadelphia this season, logging a 3.71 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB in 51 innings, adding five wins and one save.

Slaten allowed one hit and zero walks in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season in Sunday's season finale against Tampa Bay.

Slaten allowed a bunt single to Dylan Carlson to lead off the ninth but otherwise had no trouble wrapping things up. With incumbent closer Kenley Jansen on the injured list, Slaten was able to notch his first save since March 31. The 27-year-old Slaten had an encouraging rookie season out of the Red Sox bullpen, pitching to a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB in 55.1 innings with six wins, 13 holds and two saves. The 37-year-old Jansen is set to become a free agent, so Slaten could find himself in the mix for saves next season.

Effross was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Effross logged 1.1 innings Friday and may not have been used Sunday, so he was the roster casualty to make room for Ben Rice.

Banda is opening Sunday's game against the Rockies, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Landon Knack will serve as the primary pitcher after Banda exits, foreshadowing how the Dodgers might use Knack in the postseason. Banda returned from the injured list Thursday to throw 1.1 scoreless innings against the Padres.