MLB Player News

Contreras notched his second career save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mariners, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Contreras had started in each of his last three appearances, but he never got fully stretched out for a rotation spot, as he covered between two and three innings in those outings while delivering an 8.22 ERA and 2.35 WHIP. The Angels ended up turning to Carson Fulmer to replace Contreras in the rotation Sunday, but the latter still ended up being part of the team's pitching plan for the day. With all of Carlos Estevez, Luis Garcia and Ben Joyce having pitched both Friday and Saturday, the Angels turned to the well-rested Contreras to close out the game. Contreras got the job done without much drama, but he'll likely serve in more of a middle or long-relief role for the Halos once the team returns from the All-Star break.

Fulmer struck out seven over 4.2 shutout innings in his start in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mariners. He allowed no hits and one walk and didn't factor into the decision.

Joining the rotation as a replacement for Roansy Contreras -- who was moved back to the bullpen and ended up picking up the save Sunday -- Fulmer had a perfect game going through 4.2 innings before the bid ended on Keston Hiura's error. Fulmer then hit and walked a batter to load the bases, prompting manager Ron Washington to lift him from the game after 77 pitches. Hunter Strickland came on in relief and was able to strand the baserunners to spare any damage to Fulmer's ERA. The 77 pitches and 4.2 innings he tossed were his most of the season, and the seven strikeouts were Fulmer's most in an MLB game since he recorded nine punchouts back on Sept. 10, 2017 as a member of the White Sox. The 30-year-old had turned in a 3.83 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 42.1 innings out of the bullpen heading into Sunday, but after his impressive start, Fulmer could earn additional turns through the rotation coming out of the All-Star break.

Ramirez (0-5) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out one batter against Detroit on Sunday. He was charged with a blown save and a loss.

Ramirez was called upon to hold a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning and allowed the Tigers to end their first half with a walk-off win. He pitched in all three games against Detroit during the weekend series and took two losses. Ramirez has blown two of his three save chances this season and owns a 4.68 ERA through 42.1 innings. Evan Phillips received Sunday off after blowing a save Saturday.

Jansen tossed two innings Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk to pick up the save against the Royals. He struck out three.

Jansen struck out the side in the eighth, then battled through the ninth, allowing a run but inducing a game-ending groundout with the tying run on second. While he had accomplished the feat previously in the postseason, it was the first regular-season two-inning save of Jansen's 15-year career. The 36-year-old reliever was not named to the American League All-Star roster, but he has put together another All-Star-caliber campaign with 19 saves, a 2.16 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and 38 strikeouts over 33.1 innings.

Vodnik picked up the save Sunday against the Mets, allowing two hits and a walk over 1.2 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

Vodnik took over for Jalen Beeks midway through the eighth frame with one out and runners on second and third. Vodnik walked Francisco Lindor to load the bases and yielded an RBI fielder's choice to Brandon Nimmo before retiring Francisco Alvarez to close out the frame. Holding an 8-5 lead, Vodnik allowed a pair of singles but logged back-to-back strikeouts to close out his second save of 2024. Vodnik has cashed in on both of his save opportunities in July, and with the Rockies' current closing situation up in the air, he could see occasional save chances in the second half of 2024.

Yates picked up the save Sunday against the Astros, allowing one run on a hit and a walk with no strikeouts across one inning.

While Yates advanced to 16-for-16 in save opportunities this season, he snapped his streak of eight consecutive scoreless innings. The 37-year-old walked Jon Singleton and yielded a single to Jeremy Pena to start the ninth frame, with Singleton eventually coming around to score on a groundout by Joey Loperfido. The outing bumped Yates' ERA from 0.81 to 1.05, and he has a 0.90 WHIP across 34.1 innings.

Kuhl (0-1) took the loss Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts across four innings.

Kuhl was thrust into Sunday's contest in the third inning after Michael Soroka exited after throwing three pitches due to shoulder soreness. Kuhl surrendered a three-run home run to Joey Bart in the fourth inning and left the contest following the sixth inning as the White Sox trailed 4-3, resulting in the loss. Since being called up June 14, Kuhl has appeared in seven games and tossed 21.1 innings, compiling a 5.06 ERA and a 20:14 K:BB.

Koenig (elbow) will make a rehab appearance with Triple-A Nashville on Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Koenig was placed on the 15-day injured list June 29 with left forearm tendinitis, but he looks to be progressing quickly after tossing a bullpen session Thursday and a multi-inning simulated game Sunday. The Brewers will reassess Koenig's status after Friday's rehab appearance, but he may need just the one outing with Nashville before returning to the big-league bullpen.

Williams (back) struck out all three batters he faced in a perfect inning during his rehab appearance Sunday with High-A Wisconsin.

Williams has been on the shelf all season while recovering from a pair of stress fractures in his back, but he didn't exhibit any signs of rust in his first game action of 2024. He needed just 14 pitches to strike out the side and generated four swings-and-misses during his brief time on the mound. The Brewers may have Williams shift his rehab assignment to Double-A Biloxi or Triple-A Nashville for a tougher test following the All-Star break, but the right-hander may not require too many more tune-up outings in the minors if he continues to look as sharp as he did Sunday. Williams should eventually supplant Trevor Megill as the Brewers' preferred option to close games once he's reinstated from the 60-day injured list.

Fairbanks allowed two hits in a scoreless inning and earned a save against the Guardians on Sunday.

Fairbanks was tasked with protecting a 2-0 lead and found himself in danger after coughing up singles to the first two batters he faced. He managed to retire the next three to escape unscathed. Fairbanks has converted 17 of 19 save chances this season while producing a 3.21 ERA and a 32:15 K:BB. Since the start of June, he owns a 2.55 ERA with 12 saves in 17 appearances.