MLB Player News

Thornton recorded the first save of his MLB career in a win over the Rays on Wednesday, firing a perfect ninth inning.

Ryne Stanek worked the eighth and Andres Munoz faltered with the save opportunity to open the ninth, failing to record an out and leaving Thornton to inherit a bases-loaded jam. The right-hander deftly managed the dangerous scenario, inducing a fielder's choice groundout from Richie Palacios that allowed Josh Lowe to score but then retiring Amed Rosario on a game-ending double play. The one run went on Munoz's tab, affording Thornton his sixth scoreless outing in his last eight trips to the mound -- including his third straight -- as well as his first career save.

Quijada (elbow) struck out the side in his first rehab appearance with the Angels' Arizona Complex League affiliate Wednesday.

It's a promising start as Quijada continues down the comeback trail from last May's Tommy John surgery. The left-hander will eventually move up to a higher affiliate and figures to need most, if not all, of the 30-day allotment for his rehab assignment.

Ferrer (shoulder) was sent to the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Thursday to begin a rehab assignment.

Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder but has finally been cleared for game action. The lefty's rehab assignment should be fairly lengthy given how much time he's missed, and he's not a given to be added to the major-league roster once his time on the 60-day injured list is over.

Doval picked up the save over the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing one hit over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out one.

Doval entered the contest with a one-run lead in the ninth and surrendered a leadoff single to Dansby Swanson before retiring the next three batters in succession to secure his 14th save of the campaign. The right-hander has now converted each of his last five save attempts and has allowed only one baserunner over his last three appearances. Doval has also posted at least one strikeout in three consecutive outings.

Chapman struck out two without allowing a baserunner across a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds on Wednesday.

Chapman entered the game in the ninth inning with a five-run lead, marking his first appearance since Saturday. He struggled to begin the season but has pitched well for significant stretches, most recently allowing two earned runs across 8.2 innings in June while posting a 13:4 K:BB. Chapman should see most of Pittsburgh's save chances while David Bednar (oblique) is sidelined.

Wesneski did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Giants on Wednesday, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk over four innings while striking out seven.

Wesneski got off to a solid start, striking out four of the first six batters he faced before surrendering back-to-back home runs to Michael Conforto and David Villar in the second. The right-hander would go 1-2-3 through the next two innings before being relieved by Drew Smyly to open the fifth, though the former would still finish with his second-highest strikeout total of the season. It also marked Wesneski's longest outing since May 8 against the Padres when he went six innings.

Contreras didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Oakland, allowing one run on four hits with two walks across three innings. He struck out two.

After coming out of the bullpen in his first nine outings as a Halo, Contreras was expected to get up to four or five innings in Wednesday's start. However, he threw 61 pitches across three innings before getting yanked. Three of the four hits Contreras allowed went for extra bases. On the year, Contreras owns a 3.82 ERA with 31 strikeouts over 33.0 innings. It's unclear if he'll make another start, but there's not many alternate options on the active roster at the moment. If he does stick in the rotation, he'd likely pitch Tuesday in a rematch with the A's.

Houser picked up a save in the Mets' 12-2 win over the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out three batters over three scoreless innings.

Houser entered with the Mets holding an eight-run lead and cruised the remainder of the way to notch the first save of his career. The right-hander threw 44 pitches in the outing, and he's tossed at least two frames in all but one of his eight appearances since returning to the bullpen May 26. Houser has thrived since making that transition, allowing just three earned runs across 20.2 innings.

Kimbrel earned a save against the Guardians on Wednesday, walking one batter and striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

Kimbrel issued a two-out walk but otherwise overpowered Cleveland with three punchouts. The veteran closer rebounded well after blowing a save against the Yankees during his previous trip to the mound. Kimbrel is 17-for-21 in save chances on the season and has registered an elite 13.3 K/9 while posting a 2.54 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 28.1 innings.

Zerpa (1-0) struck out one without allowing a baserunner over two-thirds of an inning to earn the win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

Zerpa's had a strong season, but his overall numbers are skewed by a five-run meltdown versus the Rangers last Saturday. It was just the third time all year he had allowed multiple runs, and he bounced back with a sharp outing Wednesday to grab his first win. Zerpa is at a 3.41 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB over 29 innings while adding eight holds and a blown save. The southpaw saw increased high-leverage work in May, but the Royals have gone 9-14 in June, creating fewer opportunities for him to pitch in key situations. Zerpa should continue to factor in the late innings, but he's not yet a threat to James McArthur's closer job.