MLB Player News

Doval earned a save against the Cubs on Monday, striking out one batter in one perfect inning.

San Francisco scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a one-run lead, and Doval entered in the bottom of the frame to try to slam the door on Chicago. He did so without much trouble, needing just 11 pitches to set down the side in order. The outing helped wash away the sour taste of Doval's outing one day earlier, when he allowed four runs over one-third of an inning in a non-save situation against the Angels. On the season, the closer has racked up 13 saves in 15 chances while posting a 4.71 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 36:21 K:BB over 28.2 frames.

Spiers (0-1) took the loss Monday versus the Pirates after he gave up four runs on seven hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Spiers gave up five hits and all four runs in the first two innings before settling in nicely. The 26-year-old had impressed as a multi-inning reliever, leading to the opportunity in the rotation. There is no word yet on whether he will get another turn through the rotation, but the 3.20 ERA through 25.1 innings this season should keep him in the conversation.

Bednar pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save against the Reds in Monday's 4-1 win.

After serving up homers in each of his last two appearances, Bednar got back on track with a clean frame Monday. Bednar had a disastrous start to the season with 14 earned runs allowed in his first 13 outings, but he's turned it around with a 1.88 ERA over his last 19.1 innings. Despite the 5.34 ERA for the season, Bednar remains one of the better late-inning options, as his 15 saves are tied for eighth most in the majors.

Jansen recorded one out to earn a save over the Blue Jays on Monday.

Jansen entered the ninth inning with two runners on base and two outs. He forced a Davis Schneider popout to close out the 7-3 win and pick up the save. Jansen has converted eight straight save chances since his last blown opportunity April 16. His season ERA sits at 2.70 with a 30:11 K:BB.

Miller (4-5) retired three batters with a strikeout but allowed a solo home run to take the loss in Monday's 2-1 defeat against Atlanta.

Ozzie Albies took Miller deep with two outs in the eighth, and then the righty got stuck with the loss when the Tigers couldn't muster any more offense. The veteran has now been scored upon in his last two outings, pushing his season ERA up to 4.03. Despite the recent struggles, Miller should hold onto a high-leverage bullpen role due to his track record the past few years.

Jimenez struck out one batter in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Tigers on Monday.

Jimenez tossed 10 of 13 pitches for strikes to protect the 2-1 lead and earn his first save of the year. He dropped his season ERA to 2.89 with a 30:10 K:BB through 28 innings. Since yielding four runs in a loss to the Padres on May 20, Jimenez has given up two runs over his last 10 appearances. Raisel Iglesias allowed two runs in a loss to the Rays on Sunday and was likely getting a routine day off Monday.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that Junis (shoulder) is expected to return from the 60-day injured list during the team's four-game road series against the Padres that begins Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Junis will meet the team in San Diego, barring any discomfort following his simulated game in Arizona on Monday. The 31-year-old has been on the injured list since April 6 with a right shoulder impingement and had his return further delayed when he was struck in the head by a ball during the Brewers' April 22 batting practice session. He looks to have recovered from both injuries, however, and appears to be on the cusp of a return to the major-league roster. Given that Junis already built up to four innings in a sim game prior to Monday's outing, he should be a candidate to join the Brewers' depleted rotation this weekend.

Avila (undisclosed) was claimed off release waivers by the Orioles before being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and placed on the 7-day injured list Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Avila was dropped from the Giants' 40-man roster Sunday, but it didn't take him long to find a new suitor. The right-hander has been out since May 31 while nursing an unspecified injury, but he will now account for the final slot on Baltimore's 40-man roster. Avila struggled to a 8.49 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 11.2 innings in eight appearances with San Francisco, so he'll likely have to prove himself at Norfolk before the Orioles potentially call him up to the majors.

The Blue Jays placed Garcia on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right elbow ulnar neuritis.

Garcia was forced out of his save chance in Sunday's 7-6 win over Cleveland after experiencing right elbow soreness. The MRI after Sunday's game showed no structural damage to Garcia's right elbow, but it did reveal ulnar nerve symptoms, per Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. While there was optimism that Garcia would be day-to-day with the injury, he will now be on the shelf until at least the beginning of July. With Jordan Romano (elbow) still on the IL, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Chad Green will operate as the interim closer for Toronto, according to Mae.

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that Gibaut (forearm) is scheduled to meet with a doctor soon before the next step in his rehab process is decided, MLB.com reports.

If Gibaut gets clearance to resume baseball activities upon meeting with the doctor, Bell noted that the right-hander could be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list in as soon as six weeks. Gibaut had been shut down all season with a right forearm strain before undergoing anterior interosseous nerve release surgery May 9.