MLB Player News

Chapman earned the save in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Rays, working around two walks in a scoreless ninth inning.

Chapman issued back-to-back two-out walks in the ninth but managed to induce a groundout off the bat of Jonny DeLuca to close out Boston's one-run victory and log his 21st save this season. Chapman has now converted his last five save chances, allowing just one run on four hits and two walks across six innings during that span. His ERA is down to 2.05 across 30.2 innings this season with a 1.21 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB.

Sanders earned the save in Saturday's 4-2 extra-innings win over the Astros, striking out one in a perfect 11th inning.

With Tyler Wells and Andrew Kittredge used in the previous two frames, Sanders was asked to close out a two-run lead in the 11th and did so on just nine pitches. The 29-year-old picked up his first major-league win and save in his first two outings with the Orioles after debuting with the club Friday. On the year, he owns a 7.36 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 15:10 K:BB across 11 innings between Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Pfaadt (4-1) earned the win against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Pfaadt opened with five scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the sixth, limiting the Cardinals to only five hard-hit balls despite generating just three whiffs on 87 pitches. The 27-year-old has been steady in four games since re-entering the rotation June 30, going 4-0 while completing at least five frames in each outing and allowing just five total earned runs over that span. He'll take a 4.58 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB across 59 innings this season into a road rematch with St. Louis next week.

Sewald earned the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Cardinals, allowing one run on one hit and no walks with two strikeouts in the ninth inning.

Sewald was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and did so despite surrendering a solo home run to Jimmy Crooks. The 36-year-old righty has now converted 14 straight save chances dating back to May 17, though he's allowed at least one earned run in six of his past 10 appearances. On the season, he's 23-for-24 in save chances with a 4.58 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 40:9 K:BB across 35.1 innings.

Manaea (2-5) took the loss against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

Manaea surrendered three of his four runs via the long ball, departing at 99 pitches without escaping the fifth inning. It marked the first time the 34-year-old had yielded more than three earned runs in seven turns since entering the rotation June 13, though he's now allowed two homers in three straight outings. He'll take a 4.74 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 81:26 K:BB across 79.2 innings this season into a home matchup with the Dodgers next weekend.

The Tigers optioned Brieske to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday.

Brieske made four appearances after joining the Tigers' bullpen July 1, during which he gave up one run on three hits and no walks while striking out four batters in five innings. He now owns a 6.75 ERA through 9.1 major-league innings this year and remains an option to return as bullpen depth for the big club later in the season.

The Guardians optioned Heuer to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Heuer pitched 1.2 shutout innings during Game 1 of Saturday's twin bill, but he'll now be sent down to the minors so the Guardians can add a fresh arm to their bullpen in the form of Will Dion. Heuer now owns a 4.66 ERA through 9.2 frames with Cleveland this season and could return to the big club later this year as bullpen depth.

The Guardians recalled Dion from Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Dion will come up from the minors to give the Guardians an additional fresh arm for their doubleheader against Pittsburgh. The 26-year-old has given up seven earned runs in just 11.1 MLB innings this season, so he'll likely be limited to low-leverage situations. Codi Heuer was sent down to Columbus in a corresponding move.

The Athletics selected Hartlieb's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

With Justin Sterner (knee) headed for the injured list, the A's will turn to Hartlieb to provide depth to their bullpen. The 32-year-old righty will presumably be limited to middle-relief duty after giving up five earned runs in 8.2 innings during a stint with the big club in late June.

Varland earned the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over the White Sox, striking out one batter in a clean ninth inning.

Saturday was a low-scoring affair, and Varland was tasked with protecting the Blue Jays' one-run lead. He needed just nine pitches (six strikes) to get the job done, highlighted by five-pitch strikeout of Colson Montgomery. Varland has converted all 20 of his save opportunities this season and boasts a 1.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:13 K:BB across 50 innings. He hasn't given up an earned run in 40 of his 45 outings this year.