MLB Player News

Neris picked up his ninth save of the season Sunday against the Reds, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a baserunner.

Neris was sharp, striking out the first two batters he faced before inducing a groundout to secure a 4-2 victory for the Cubs. The 34-year-old veteran has enjoyed a nice start to the month of June, notching saves in three of his four appearances and a win in the other. During that stretch, Neris has pitched four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while collecting six strikeouts.

Munoz (back) recorded one strikeout in a perfect eighth inning Sunday against the Royals. He said he "felt weird" out on the mound and was happy with the outing even though he didn't feel like he had his best stuff or command, per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times.

He was the first reliever out of the bullpen after George Kirby tossed seven innings of one-run ball. Mike Baumann came on in the ninth inning and gave up two earned runs to blow the save (and eventually pick up the win). It sounds like Munoz will be considered available going forward, although his back might not feel fully healthy.

Graterol (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session this week in Arizona, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

As Plunkett notes, this is the first positive news regarding Graterol in a while, as he has been out all season due to right shoulder inflammation/pain. The hard-throwing righty would likely need to throw several bullpen sessions before advancing to face live hitters.

Duran (1-2) picked up the win Sunday against Pittsburgh, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a baserunner.

Duran was roughed up by Pittsburgh on Saturday, allowing three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. The hard-throwing right-hander was able to rebound Sunday, pitching a clean ninth frame to earn his first win. Duran has not received a save opportunity since June 2, but he is still the Twins' top closer, going a perfect 10-for-10 in save chances after missing the first month of the season with an oblique injury.

Clase allowed a solo home run and struck out one during the ninth inning of Sunday's 6-3 win over the Marlins.

Clase took the mound in the ninth inning despite the Guardians owning a four-run lead, and he surrendered a two-out solo homer to Jake Burger during the outing. Due to the score, Clase wasn't eligible for a save, though the Guardians opted to give him his first game action since Tuesday. Burger's long ball was Clase's first earned run allowed since April 14, which spans 24 appearances.

Smith earned his second save Sunday, allowing one hit and one walk over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning against the Phillies.

Smith entered the game with two on and one out attempting to preserve a two-run lead after Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett had gotten seven outs between them beginning in the seventh inning. A base hit allowed an inherited runner to score, but Smith then benefitted from a great defensive play by Mets catcher Luis Torrens, who started a 2-3 double play to end the game. It was far from a clean outing for Smith, who was making just his second appearance since returning from an IL stint of more than a month due to shoulder inflammation. The right-hander will continue to hold a high-leverage spot in the Mets' bullpen and get occasional save chances while the team awaits the return to health and form of Edwin Diaz (shoulder).

Alvarado (1-3) suffered the loss Sunday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Mets. He struck out two.

Alvarado entered the game with a one-run lead looking to preserve his 12th save, but things went downhill quickly. After allowing a walk and a single to start the inning, an infield single by Mark Vientos tied the game. Then with the bases loaded and one out, a hit-by-pitch followed by a passed ball allowed two more runners to score, saddling Alvarado with his second blown save and third loss of the season. Sunday's outing came on the heels of five consecutive scoreless appearances since his last blown save, which came May 24 in Colorado. The outing lifted Alvarado's ERA to 3.54 with a 1.14 WHIP and 31 strikeouts through 28 innings this season.

Diaz agreed to a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Sunday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The right-hander was cut loose by Houston in late May but was able to land a minor-league pact with Detroit. Diaz struggled to a 9.64 ERA in 13 outings at Triple-A Sugar Land with the Astros and will need better results with the Tigers to have a chance of seeing the big leagues.

Spiers pitched 5.2 scoreless innings of relief Sunday against the Cubs, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out seven.

Spiers got called up Sunday morning and immediately saw game action, relieving Frankie Montas in the second inning. The long reliever made his fifth appearance of the season for the Reds, replacing Emilio Pagan (lat) in the bullpen. The 26-year-old dominated the Cubs, punching out seven batters and lowering his ERA from 3.29 to 2.33. It remains to be seen if Spiers will be used as a starter, but he should continue to work in a multi-inning role -- Spiers has pitched three or more innings in all of his appearances this season.

Junis (shoulder) will continue his rehab assignment Wednesday in Arizona and will pitch in either a simulated game or in a rookie-level Arizona Complex League game, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The right-hander made his second rehab outing with Triple-A Nashville on Saturday and allowed one run on two hits and one walk over 2.1 innings. Depending how Wednesday's outing goes, Junis could then be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list, but it's unclear whether the Brewers plan to have him serve in a starting role or as a multi-inning reliever.