MLB Player News

Topa (knee) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to throw again Saturday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Topa has been out all season with a small tear in the patellar tendon of his left knee and had a platelet-rich plasma injection in mid-May. He still will likely need to throw several more bullpen sessions before he can go out on a rehab assignment.

Stewart (shoulder) threw 20 pitches to live hitters before Friday night's game, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The right-hander has been on the shelf with shoulder tendinitis since early May. He's had several bullpen sessions in the past few weeks, and the advancement to live hitters could be an indication he's ready for a rehab assignment. However, no schedule for the next step of his comeback has been announced.

Kimbrel picked up the save in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Athletics. He pitched a clean inning with two strikeouts.

The veteran closer extended his scoreless appearances streak to six with this performance, promptly retiring the side on a tidy 10 pitches. Kimbrel stands fourth all-time in career saves with 439, needing 40 more to pass Lee Smith for third. The Baltimore right-hander has been nearly untouchable since May 10, firing a 0.45 ERA, 0.25 WHIP and 29:5 K:BB across 20 innings while securing 14 saves.

The White Sox released Sedlock on Tuesday.

Sedlock signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox in April, and he has since allowed 10 earned runs in just five innings with Triple-A Charlotte. He'll now attempt to latch on with another organization, but a return to the majors doesn't seem to be coming anytime soon.

Hader picked up a save in Friday's 13-12 win against the Twins. He faced two batters, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one.

Hader likely didn't expect to enter Friday's contest as the Astros held a 13-5 lead entering the ninth. However, Luis Contreras allowed three runs and then loaded the bases, forcing the call to the Houston closer. Hader allowed a grand slam to Carlos Correa to bring the Twins within one before fanning Manuel Margot for his 15th save of the campaign. The Houston southpaw now sports a 3.92 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 61:11 K:BB across 39 total innings while going 15-for-16 in save chances.

Dubin did not factor into the decision in Friday's 13-12 win over Minnesota, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk over 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

Dubin made his second consecutive start and failed to escape the third inning as the Twins collected five hits -- including two for extra bases -- off the Houston right-hander. The 28-year-old now owns a 5.40 ERA and 29:15 K:BB across 28.1 total innings on the season. Jake Bloss (shoulder) is scheduled for a rehab appearance at Triple-A Sugar Land this weekend and will likely step into the rotation for Dubin next week.

Yates struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning and earned a save over Tampa Bay on Friday.

Yates tossed 11 of 16 pitches for strikes as he cruised through the Rays' 9-1-2 hitters for the save. He's converted each of his 12 save chances this season, though Friday's was his first since June 19. The veteran righty owns a stifling 0.89 ERA with a 43:14 K:BB through 30.1 innings.

Helsley (3-3) earned the win and blew a save against the Nationals on Friday, allowing one unearned run on two hits and a walk with no strikeouts over two innings.

Helsley was summoned to protect a 6-5 lead in the 10th inning but allowed the automatic runner to score. He was brought back out with another one-run lead in the eleventh and was able to secure the win in his first multi-inning effort of the season. On the year, the closer leads the league with 31 saves and owns a 2.41 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 47:17 K:BB over 41 innings.

Finnegan blew a save against the Cardinals on Friday, allowing two hits and one run in the ninth inning.

Finnegan was summoned to protect a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning but surrendered a solo home run to Willson Contreras. The closer had thrown five straight scoreless appearances but left a 2-2 fastball down the middle for his fourth blown save of the season. On the year, he has secured 23 saves with a 2.17 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 39:12 K:BB over 37.1 innings.

Beeks earned the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Royals, pitching an inning with one strikeout and allowing two hits.

The southpaw reliever entered in the ninth and looked to be in danger after he allowed two straight singles to lead off the frame. However, Beeks recovered by retiring the next three batters to work out of the jam, securing his 13th career save. The 30-year-old has collected the last two Colorado saves and produced four straight outings without allowing an earned run over 5.1 innings. He now sports a 4.09 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB across 44 innings this season.