MLB Player News

Wentz allowed two runs on four hits across 2.1 innings of relief in Friday's 9-3 loss to the Twins. He walked one and struck out three.

The Tigers turned to Wentz for some length after starter Keider Montero allowed six runs over five innings, and he continued his recent struggles. Wentz has allowed runs in his last five appearances and his season ERA has climbed to 5.73. While Detroit may have some rotation spots open up in the near future if it trades one or both of Jack Flaherty and Tarik Skubal, Wentz likely wouldn't be a reliable fantasy option if he took on a starting role.

Kimbrel (6-3) took the loss Friday versus the Padres, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out one over one inning.

Kimbrel's going through another bout of poor pitching -- he's allowed eight runs (six earned) over his last 3.2 innings, taking two blown saves in that span. Friday's collapse came in a tied game, as he was taken deep by Jurickson Profar for a two-run home run. Kimbrel is now at a 3.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 56:19 K:BB over 38 innings with 23 saves, four holds and six blown saves this year. If his struggles continue, he may be moved to low-leverage assignments briefly as he was in late April and early May. Should that happen, Yennier Cano, Jacob Webb and Seranthony Dominguez would be candidates to pick up the slack in the ninth inning.

Ortiz allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks.

This ended Ortiz's stretch of five straight outings -- including four starts -- without allowing more than one run. The right-hander faded in the sixth inning, allowing a solo home run to Joc Pederson and walking Christian Walker before Carmen Mlodzinski completed the Pirates' collapse. Ortiz is now at a 2.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 63:24 K:BB over 78.2 innings through 27 appearances (five starts) this season. His next outing is projected to come at Houston.

Sewald allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Pirates.

Sewald allowed two runs in a non-save situation Wednesday versus the Royals, but he bounced back Friday to protect a one-run lead. This was his sixth scoreless outing in July, but his other four appearances this month each saw him yield multiple runs. The closer is 16-for-19 in save chances with a 3.55 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB through 25.1 innings this season.

Fulmer allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Friday.

This was Fulmer's longest outing of the year as he continues to build up his workload following a transition to the rotation. He's allowed six runs on seven hits and six walks over 15 innings across his three starts, and he's struck out 13 in those outings. He's at a 3.77 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 55:28 K:BB through 57.1 innings this season. Fulmer last regularly started in 2018 and hasn't exceeded 100 innings since that same year, so it's unclear how much he'll be able to handle in a starting role. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Rockies.

Erceg allowed a hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Angels.

Erceg was deployed in the eighth inning Thursday to protect a one-run lead, but he was called on to close things out Friday in a similar situation. With Mason Miller sidelined by a fractured finger on his non-throwing hand, Erceg is the favorite to close for the Athletics in the short term, though Tyler Ferguson received the first save chance in Miller's absence. Erceg has been a fine setup man this year with a 3.68 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB to go with three saves, 12 holds and three blown saves over 36.2 innings. He's kept runs off the board in 12 of his last 13 appearances, the exception being a four-run meltdown last Sunday against the Angels.

Lopez tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's 6-0 loss to the Royals, lowering his ERA to 2.92.

Lopez has turned the page on a poor 2023 campaign in which he recorded a 5.95 ERA for the Orioles, Marlins and Twins. The veteran righty has been much better this year, particularly since joining the Cubs in June. Over 10.2 innings with his new team, Lopez has allowed just one run and struck out seven.

Martinez (4-5) allowed one hit over two scoreless innings to earn the victory Friday against the Rays. He struck out two.

Martinez entered a tie game in the eighth inning and shut down the Rays until the Reds took the lead in the top of the 10th. He has two wins in his last four appearances, and all four of his wins this season have come in relief after he began the year in the rotation. The 33-year-old has a 3.77 ERA in 74 innings in a swingman role for the Reds this season.

Diaz picked up the save Friday against the Rays, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Diaz got his first save situation since July 3 and worked around an inherited runner to convert it successfully. He became the 12th reliever with 20 saves this season, and he has now converted 13 straight opportunities. The 27-year-old has pitched to a 4.34 ERA through 37.1 innings this season.

Holmes was stuck with a blown save in Friday's loss to the Red Sox, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Holmes replaced Luke Weaver with one out and runners on first and second in the eighth inning. The right-hander promptly allowed a game-tying double to Wilyer Abreu before the Red Sox took a two-run lead on a Masataka Yoshida single. The 31-year-old Holmes has now blown back-to-back save chances and three of his last five opportunities while struggling to a 7.29 ERA in his last 11.1 innings. Overall, he's 21-for-28 in save chances this year with a 2.88 ERA, 1.30. WHIP and 43:10 K:BB across 40.2 innings.