MLB Player News

Joyce struck out one and allowed one hit over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 3-2 win over Atlanta.

Joyce has collected two saves over his last five appearances, though he's also allowed three runs across five innings in that span. The flamethrower threw all five of his fastballs between 102-104 mph Friday and needed just 14 total pitches (10 strikes) to get his five outs. Joyce still needs to work on his control -- he has a 2.54 ERA, but his 1.27 WHIP and 24:14 K:BB through 28.1 innings shows he hasn't yet fully harnessed his velocity. Veterans Hunter Strickland and Matt Moore, who worked in the seventh and eighth innings ahead of Joyce, remain in the high-leverage mix and could see save chances if Joyce falters, but the Angels will give the 23-year-old every chance to establish himself as the team's bullpen ace.

Gilbreath walked one and didn't allow a hit or a run over two-thirds of an inning in his season debut during Friday's 7-3 win over the Padres.

Gilbreath figures to pitch in a low-leverage role for the rest of the season. He posted a mediocre 6.23 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB over 8.2 innings during his minor-league rehab assignment while working his way back from Tommy John surgery and a separate shoulder injury. His appearance Friday was his first in the majors since Aug. 26, 2022.

Payamps struck out one batter in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Guardians on Friday.

Payamps was tasked with closing out the 5-3 contest and did so with ease, throwing nine of 14 pitches for strikes. It was his first save since July 26 and he's converted six of his eight chances this season. He's 2-0 with two saves, two holds and a 0.75 ERA over his last 12 innings. Payamps received the save opportunity Friday after Devin Williams pitched the previous two days and took the night off against Cleveland.

Kopech struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals.

Kopech continues to excel with the Dodgers -- he's yet to give up a run over 8.1 innings with the team while posting a 13:1 K:BB in that span. Evan Phillips and Joe Kelly served as the bridge over the seventh and eighth innings before Kopech got the save opportunity, while Daniel Hudson didn't pitch after his blow-up versus the Brewers on Thursday. For the season, Kopech has 10 saves and five holds while pitching to a 3.98 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB through 52 innings between the Dodgers and the White Sox. The Dodgers' bullpen depth means it's unlikely Kopech is ever the clear-cut closer, but he should continue to get plenty of high-leverage chances.

The Rays will recall Alexander from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Alexander had been scheduled to start for Durham on Friday, but he was scratched and is now headed back to the big leagues, where he'll presumably work as a long reliever. A corresponding move will be announced once the 30-year-old's promotion is official.

Duran allowed a hit and struck out two during a perfect inning to earn a save against the Rangers on Friday.

Duran worked around a two-out single to close out the 4-3 victory. He needed just 13 pitches to convert the save and is now 18-for-19 in save opportunities this season. Since his lone blown save chance in Oakland on June 21, Duran has a 3-2 record with seven saves and a 2.60 ERA through 19 appearances. For the year, he owns a 3.35 ERA and a 43:12 K:BB across 40.1 innings.

Jansen picked up the save in Friday's 12-10 victory over Baltimore, pitching a perfect inning with two strikeouts.

The veteran closer extended his scoreless appearances streak to five with this performance, retiring the side on a tidy 12 pitches. Jansen stands fourth all-time in career saves with 442, but he requires 37 more to pass Lee Smith for third place. After struggling in August with two blown saves and a 5.40 ERA over 10 innings, the Boston right-hander appears to have righted the ship and sports a 2.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 51:15 K:BB across 43 frames this season.

Martinez (6-6) took the loss Friday against the Royals, allowing three runs on eight hits over six innings. He struck out four.

Martinez held Kansas City to a Bobby Witt solo homer through his first five innings before surrendering two runs on four hits in the sixth. It's the first loss for Martinez since taking over a spot in the rotation -- he'd allowed just one run in his last 24.1 innings prior to Friday. Overall, the right-hander sports a 3.25 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP and 79:10 K:BB across 97 innings this year. Martinez is currently slated for a road matchup with Toronto in his next outing.

Hoffman earned his 17th hold of the season Friday against the Nationals, striking out one in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

The Phillies have taken a fluid approach to the ninth inning this season, though Hoffman at one point appeared to be moving into something close to a true closer's role, earning a save in fourth straight appearances from June 30 through July 10. He hasn't earned a save since then, though the Phillies as a team have just two in that time, with one going to Matt Strahm and the other to trade deadline acquisition Carlos Estevez. Estevez seems to be the committee leader at the moment, but he blew a save Friday and has allowed at least one run in four of his eight appearances for his new team, so there's no guarantee he gets the next chance.

Holmes earned the save in Friday's 3-0 win over the Tigers, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Holmes has now converted five of his last six save chances, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out eight in that span (5.1 innings). The right-hander is up to 26 saves on the year with a 2.76 ERA, 1.29. WHIP and 53:14 K:BB across 49 innings.