MLB Player News

Miller allowed one run on one hit and one walk with one strikeout over 1.2 innings, earning the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

Miller was strong, aside from a 102.5 mph pitch that Julio Rodriguez took out of the yard in the ninth inning. This was Miller's first outing since his blown save versus the Rays last Thursday. The flamethrower has been tagged for eight runs (five earned) over his last 7.1 innings, but he has three saves and a blown save in that span. For the season, he's up to 12 saves in 13 chances with a 2.28 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 52:11 K:BB across 27.2 innings.

Kopech (1-6) allowed a solo home run to the only batter he faced, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Cubs.

Kopech was taken deep by Mike Tauchman as the Cubs won in walk-off fashion. It's been tough sledding for Kopech lately -- he's allowed five runs (four earned) over his last 2.2 innings, taking the loss in three of his last four appearances. The right-hander is now at a 4.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB through 25.2 innings while adding five saves, a hold and two blown saves. If he continues to struggle, Kopech could eventually lose his high-leverage role, though the White Sox's poor play overall has made it difficult for any of the team's relievers to put up saves.

Neris (6-0) worked around a walk to toss a scoreless ninth inning and earn the win in Wednesday's 7-6 victory over the White Sox. He struck out two.

Neris found himself in a similar spot to Tuesday night, when he managed to shut the White Sox down and earn the save. In each game, speedy pinch runner Duke Ellis swiped second base to apply some pressure, but the veteran reliever escaped without allowing any runs both times. Neris isn't missing many bats, as his K/9 is down from 10.1 last season to 7.8 this year, but he's still been effective. Neris should have plenty of fantasy value as long as he remains the closer in Chicago.

Wentz (0-1) allowed three runs on four hits across 2.2 innings of relief to take the loss Wednesday against the Rangers. He walked four and struck out two.

Detroit starter Kenta Maeda left the game after throwing just two pitches due to right abdominal discomfort, which forced Wentz into action earlier than usual. The lefty struggled, particularly from a control standpoint, and sustained his first loss of the season. Wentz got off to a good start in his new relief role, logging a 0.61 ERA across his first nine appearances of the year, but he's fallen apart since then. Over his last eight outings, Wentz has an ugly 17.00 ERA, and he has virtually no fantasy value as a sputtering long reliever.

Manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Turnbull will stay in the bullpen while the Phillies remain committed to Taijuan Walker as their No. 5 starter, Dan Gelston of the Associated Press reports.

While Walker began the season on the injured list, Turnbull secured a spot in the Opening Day rotation and dazzled over his six starts, going 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB in 32.1 innings. Shortly after Walker returned from the IL in late April, the Phillies opted to move Turnbull to the bullpen rather than expanding the rotation to six men. Though his performance has taken a step back upon his move to the bullpen, Turnbull is coming off an impressive showing against the Cardinals on Saturday, when he struck out six over three scoreless frames. Walker, meanwhile, hasn't pitched into the seventh inning of his last five turns through the rotation and is sitting on a 5.73 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 37.2 innings overall through seven starts on the season. At this point, Walker's exorbitant four-year, $72 million contract may be the main reason he's still in the rotation, but his leash has undoubtedly gotten shorter. Walker will start Sunday's game against the Mets in London, but another poor showing could prompt Thomson to change his tune and give Turnbull another look in the rotation.

Alvarado gave up a hit and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Brewers.

The southpaw picked up his first save since May 21 with a dominant effort, as he fired 15 of 21 pitches for strikes. Alvarado is putting together a strong season, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB through 27.1 innings and blowing only one save chance so far, but the Phillies' tendency to play matchups in high-leverage spots keeps him from being an elite fantasy closer, as Jeff Hoffman (five saves) and Gregory Soto (two saves) are also in the ninth-inning mix.

The Tigers recalled Englert from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Just one day after being sent down to the minors to make room for Shelby Miller, Englert will return to Detroit's bullpen as a replacement for Alex Faedo (hip). Englert was lit up for three runs in one inning during his season debut, but he has since turned in five scoreless innings across his last three MLB appearances. He'll likely serve in middle relief while Faedo is on the IL.

The Tigers placed Faedo on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right hip inflammation.

Faedo has been effective in his first season as a full-time reliever, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 34.2 innings. However, he will now have to sit out at least the next 15 days due to complications with his hip. His spot in the bullpen will be given to Mason Englert, who was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move.

Helsley earned the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Astros, recording a pair of strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning.

Helsley's now delivered back-to-back scoreless innings, striking out four in that span, after allowing four runs in his previous three appearances. The 29-year-old Helsley is now the first in the majors to reach to 20-save mark. His ERA is down to 2.33 with a 1.07 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB across 27 innings this season.

Matsui (3-2) took the loss against the Angels on Tuesday, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks without retiring a batter.

Adam Mazur gave San Diego six innings of one-run ball in his MLB debut, but Matsui wasn't able to keep the game tied upon entering in the seventh. The lefty reliever issued two walks around an infield single to load the bases, and all three runners came around to score after his departure. The rough outing came two days after Matsui blew a save opportunity against the Royals, giving up three runs while retiring just one batter as the ninth-inning option of choice while regular closer Robert Suarez -- who had pitched on consecutive days -- was unavailable. Prior to the pair of ugly appearances, Matsui held a solid 2.88 ERA, but that mark now sits at 4.97.