MLB Player News

Megill earned a save against Texas on Monday, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning.

Megill hit a batter with two outs in his inning of work, but it didn't cost him any runs. The right-hander was able to notch his 10th straight successful save conversion -- he hasn't blown an opportunity since May 20. Megill has proven to be a more-than-adequate fill-in for rehabbing closer Devin Williams (back), as he's tied for eighth in MLB with 16 saves (in 17 opportunities) while posting a 1.85 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB through 24.1 innings.

Howard (1-1) allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight over 4.2 scoreless innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Monday.

Howard again worked as a reliever, and he didn't enter the game until the fifth inning. He was able to lock things down for the Giants, enabling their comeback. Howard is now at a 3.80 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB over 21.1 innings across six appearances (two starts). San Francisco's rotation is an injury-riddled mess, and that's unlikely to change until July, so Howard will probably continue serving as a bulk reliever. He should be available to make an appearance in this weekend's series versus the Dodgers.

McArthur earned a save against the Marlins on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.

McArthur entered in the ninth frame with Kansas City up by three runs and made quick work of Miami, retiring the side in order on 10 pitches. That netted him his first save since June 6 and his 13th overall this season. McArthur's 18-day span between saves was of no fault of his own -- he didn't see any save opportunities during that stretch, and the only save by any KC pitcher during that period came in a game during which McArthur was used in a high-leverage spot and ended up with the victory. With that in mind, McArthur remains the top option for save chances in the Royals' bullpen.

Phillips earned a hold against the White Sox on Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work.

It was somewhat surprising to see Phillips -- who is the Dodgers' primary closer -- used in the eighth frame, but there was plenty of sense behind the move given that the White Sox were bringing up the heart of their order. Phillips got through the inning unscathed despite allowing a one-out double to Luis Robert, and Alex Vesia earned his fourth save with a clean frame in the ninth. Phillips' usage Monday suggests that manager Dave Roberts isn't opposed to using him before the ninth inning in the highest-leverage situations, but the right-hander should still receive the vast majority of save chances for Los Angeles. He's been one of the most reliable closers in baseball this year with a perfect 12-for-12 mark in save opportunities along with a 1.66 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.

Vesia struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the White Sox on Monday.

In a somewhat surprising move, the Dodgers deployed primary closer Evan Phillips to face the heart of Chicago's order in the eighth inning. That left closing duties to Vesia, who needed just 10 pitches to slam the door on the White Sox and earn his fourth save. Monday's usage suggests that manager Dave Roberts isn't opposed to having Phillips handle the highest-leverage situations even when they come before the ninth frame, and Vesia may be the likeliest option to close in such instances. Nonetheless, Phillips is still likely to get the vast majority of save opportunities, so fantasy managers shouldn't bank on many more saves from Vesia moving forward.

Munoz was charged with a blown save Monday against Tampa Bay, allowing one hit and one walk with one strikeout in one-third of an inning.

Munoz entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and runners on second and third. He walked Jose Caballero before allowing a two-run single to Yandy Diaz, giving the Rays a 4-3 lead. While Munoz blew the save, it is encouraging that he was called upon for the high-leverage situation over fellow closer Ryne Stanek, who pitched a scoreless seventh inning. The Mariners closer situation should still be considered a committee moving forward, with Munoz offering the most upside. Despite blowing the save, the 25-year-old has been dominant this season, compiling a 1.41 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and a 43:11 K:BB over 32 innings, converting 13-of-15 save opportunities with six holds.

Spiers (1-1) yielded three runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings Monday, striking out five and earning a win over the Pirates.

Spiers coughed up a run in the third inning and two more in the fifth. He's given up seven runs in 12 innings during his two starts this season, both of which came against Pittsburgh. He's sporting a 3.45 ERA with a 25:6 K:BB through 31.1 frames this season. Spiers is currently in line for a start in St. Louis this weekend.

Fairbanks earned his 12th save of the season Monday against Seattle, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Fairbanks picked up his second save in as many days, totaling three strikeouts while not allowing a single baserunner. The 30-year-old has pitched well in the month of June, going 7-for-8 in save chances with a 2.31 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP and an 11:2 K:BB in 11.2 innings.

Barlow struck out the side in the ninth inning of Monday's win against Baltimore, logging his second save of the season.

With closer Emmanuel Clase pitching the previous two days for Cleveland, Barlow was called upon in the ninth to preserve a one-run lead. The 31-year-old made the most of his opportunity, but he will see few save chances while Emmanuel Clase his healthy. Barlow owns a 3.66 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and a 44:17 K:BB over 32 innings this season, adding 16 holds and two saves.

Jansen (3-1) allowed a hit in a scoreless inning Monday. He struck out one and earned a win over Toronto.

Jansen worked a quick ninth inning, needing only 10 pitches to keep the game tied 6-6. Boston won the game in the bottom of the frame and gave him his second win of the month. Jansen is 2-0 with eight saves and a 0.77 ERA over his last 11 appearances.