MLB Player News

Williams earned a save against the Reds on Saturday, striking out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Williams was activated from the injured list July 28 and had to wait nearly two weeks to get his first save chance. The right-hander's opportunity Saturday wasn't an easy one, as he faced the heart of Cincinnati's order with just a one-run lead. Williams wasn't phased by any pressure, as he struck out the side on 18 pitches. Trevor Megill was excellent as Milwaukee's closer during most of the time Williams was out and is approaching a return from a back injury, but he's going to slide back into a setup role upon his activation. Williams has already shown that he's back in fine form, allowing just one run over four innings while posting an 8:1 K:BB through four outings.

Walker earned a save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Tigers, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Walker was named the Giants' closer Friday night and immediately found himself in his new role. He put two runners on with one out but responded with two strikeouts to register his first save of the year. The 28-year-old owns an impressive 2.20 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 73:14 K:BB across 61.1 innings this season and should be rostered in nearly all fantasy formats now that he has the potential for saves.

Erceg earned a save against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing two hits and striking out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Erceg entered in a tight situation with a three-run lead and two outs in the top of the eighth frame, as the Cardinals had two runners on base and Paul Goldschmidt -- who homered earlier in the contest -- at the plate. The righty reliever fanned Goldschmidt to end the frame, then remained in the contest after the Royals put up two runs in the bottom of the inning. Erceg allowed back-to-back singles to begin the ninth but retired the next three batters to secure his first save since joining Kansas City at the trade deadline. He's been lights out since becoming a Royal, recording 6.1 scoreless frames during which he's posted an 8:0 K:BB. James McArthur has been struggling and Hunter Harvey (back) landed on the injured list Saturday, so Erceg appears to be the team's reliever most likely to see save opportunities, at least for the time being.

Alexander allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings Saturday versus the Orioles. He did not factor in the decision.

Alexander continues to operate in a bulk-relief role, and he's had success during his current stint in the majors. He's allowed two runs and posted a 15:3 K:BB over 14.1 innings over his last four appearances, and Saturday was the first time in that span he didn't come away with a win. Alexander has a 5.20 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 63:16 K:BB over 71 innings in 15 appearances (six starts) in the majors this year. If Ryan Pepiot (knee) returns to the majors next week, Alexander may be moved off the 26-man roster or feature as a traditional multi-inning reliever going forward.

Hader earned a save in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Red Sox, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hader allowed a leadoff double to Rafael Devers but was able to strand him there to secure his 25th consecutive successful save since blowing his first attempt of the season April 2. That total puts the southpaw in a tie for fourth in the majors with Robert Suarez. On the season, Hader owns a 3.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 78:18 K:BB across 51.1 innings.

Smith (4-0) allowed a run on one hit over one inning but earned the win Saturday over the Rays.

Smith gave up a game-tying solo home run to Jose Caballero in the seventh inning, but the Orioles retook the lead in the eighth and held on. This was Smith's second appearance in a row during which he's nabbed a win, and he's added two holds despite allowing two runs over 4.1 innings in August. For the year, the right-hander has a 3.83 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB over 42.1 innings between the Orioles and the Marlins. Smith is unlikely to see a lot of high-leverage work, but he could be called on in tight spots when the bullpen is thin.

Keller (0-3) took the loss against the Astros on Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts across four innings.

In his first major-league appearance since June 23, Keller served as a bulk reliever and surrendered three runs on homers by Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman. The 29-year-old has yielded eight long balls across 37.1 major-league innings this season with a 5.30 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB.

Dominguez walked one and struck out one over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Rays.

Dominguez has steadied himself since he was traded from the Phillies to the Orioles on July 26. Over eight innings with Baltimore, he has allowed just one run with a 9:2 K:BB, and now he has a save. It's especially noteworthy he got the save chance Saturday, as regular closer Craig Kimbrel hadn't pitched over the last three days. Kimbrel has allowed nine runs (seven earned) over his last 7.2 innings, but he's on a three-inning scoreless streak. Manager Brandon Hyde told reporters after the game that he's trying to keep the pressure off Kimbrel during his recent slump while also giving the veteran a vote of confidence, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports, but this usage suggests Dominguez has established himself as a high-leverage option with his new team. For the year, Dominguez has a 4.09 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 49:14 K:BB while adding two saves and five holds over 44 innings.

Neris struck out two over a hitless and scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the White Sox.

Neris' own error led to the leadoff batter in the ninth inning getting aboard, but he was sharp after that to preserve the lead. It was a more confident outing than his shaky performance Friday, though he was able to keep runs off the board in that game as well. Neris has allowed two runs and posted a 19:6 K:BB over his last 15.1 innings, collecting seven saves in that span. For the season, he has a 3.43 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 43:26 K:BB with 17 saves and three holds across 42 innings.

Miller earned the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Blue Jays, walking one and striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

Miller was summoned to protect a 1-0 lead in the ninth inning and did so without allowing the Blue Jays to put a ball in play, touching 103 mph on his fastball and generating five swinging strikes on 18 pitches. The 25-year-old has converted both his save attempts since returning from the injured list due to a finger injury and owns a 2.11 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 73:15 K:BB across 42.2 innings this season.