MLB Player News

Lambert (shoulder) was returned from his rehab assignment Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Lambert began a rehab assignment July 19 and made a second appearance on the 23rd. The club provided no additional information except that his shoulder strain has been aggravated. However, Lambert's season is likely in jeopardy as he has been on the injured list since March 28.

Vesia (2-3) earned the win over Oakland on Sunday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Vesia entered in the seventh inning and struck out two of the three batters he faced, tossing a total of 15 pitches. The impressive frame earned him credit for the win in a contest during which starter River Ryan completed 4.2 innings. Vesia notched five saves between May 6 and July 6, but he hasn't been used in a save situation since. He remains one of the Dodgers' top high-leverage options though, and he's recorded nine holds along with the five saves while posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 65:22 K:BB over 48 innings on the season.

Leiter (3-4) hit a batter but allowed no hits and notched three strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in relief Sunday versus the Blue Jays.

Leiter entered the contest in the top of the ninth inning with the go-ahead run on first base and struck out Joey Loperfido to end the frame. The contest eventually went into an extra inning, and Leiter returned for the 10th, notching two more strikeouts and working around a two-out hit batsman. The right-hander subsequently was credited for the win after DJ LeMahieu stroked a walk-off single in the bottom of the frame. Since joining the Yankees on July 30, Leiter has allowed one run in four innings while posting a 5:1 K:BB and picking up a hold along with Sunday's victory.

Shreve signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Sunday and gave up three earned runs on three hits over an inning out of the bullpen for Triple-A Albuquerque in the affiliate's 21-5 loss to Las Vegas.

Shreve is now with his third organization of the season after he previously signed minor-league deals with the Rangers and Yankees before opting out of those contracts. He posted a 1.64 ERA and 0.77 WHIP across 22 innings at Triple-A Round Rock and a 2.45 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 11 innings at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before enduring his worst outing of the season in his debut for the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate. All three of the runs he allowed came on solo home runs.

Puk picked up the save Sunday against Pittsburgh, striking out one during two-thirds of a perfect inning.

Puk took over with runners on the corners and one out after Ryan Thompson yielded an RBI single to Bryan Reynolds to bring the Pirates within one run. Puk got the Diamondbacks out of the jam, retiring Oneil Cruz and Bryan De La Cruz to end the game and pick up his first save for Arizona. With Paul Sewald being removed from the closing role, it's been Thompson who's received the first two save chances. However, Thompson has allowed a run in both appearances, which could open the door for Puk to see some ninth-inning work.

Stratton (4-3) earned the win Sunday over the Tigers, striking out one in a perfect inning.

Stratton worked the eighth inning with the Royals down 2-0, and they took the lead with a three-run home run by MJ Melendez in the ninth. This was Stratton's second win in three appearances. He's allowed six runs (five earned) over 10.1 innings since the start of July, but the right-hander is still getting work in some key moments as the Royals' bullpen remains a weak spot. Stratton has a 4.40 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 39:27 K:BB through 45 innings while adding four saves and five holds this year.

Contreras struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

Contreras has allowed just two runs over 10.1 innings while posting a 13:2 K:BB since moving back to the bullpen July 14. He hasn't been a candidate for much high-leverage work, but he got the save chance Sunday as the only Angels reliever to pitch less than twice over the previous five days. Through 48 innings between the Angels and the Pirates this year, Contreras has a 4.13 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 46:21 K:BB, though it appears his performance has turned a corner after a poor stint in the Angels' rotation. Still, Ben Joyce and Hunter Strickland figure to be the favorites for the few save chances the Angels will generate the rest of the way.

Finnegan picked up the save Sunday's 4-3 win over Milwaukee, allowing one hit and no walks across a scoreless ninth inning.

Finnegan became the third closer to reach 30 saves, joining Emmanuel Clase and Ryan Helsley atop the MLB leaderboard. Despite yielding a leadoff single to Rhys Hoskins, Finnegan kept the Brewers from putting a runner in scoring position, getting Blake Perkins to fly out and Brice Turang to ground into a game-ending double play. In 46.1 innings, Finnegan has generated a 3.30 ERA with a 45:14 K:BB.

Bido (2-3) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Bido earned his first quality start with his longest outing of the year, but he wasn't able to dodge his second loss in a row. The right-hander avoided giving up a home run in a third straight start, but he's posted a 12:7 K:BB over his last 9.2 innings, and it will be tough for him to find steady success if his walk rate remains high. For the year, he's at a 4.64 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB over 33 innings across 10 appearances (four starts). He's tentatively projected to make his next start at Toronto.

Banda struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

Banda got the save opportunity after all of Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia and Daniel Hudson were deployed between the fifth and eighth innings. It was a drama-free experience for Banda, who needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to retire the side. Hudson, who has been the favorite for saves lately, pitched against the heart of the Athletics' order in the eighth inning. Bullpen depth has been a strength for the Dodgers this year, and Banda's been a successful part of that with a 2.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 34:14 K:BB over 33.1 innings while adding five holds and a 1-1 record. Banda is still more likely to work in low-leverage spots, but Sunday's outing is proof he can handle bigger moments.