MLB Player News

Diaz (2-1) struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Thursday to pick up the win over the Marlins.

The right-hander looked good in his first appearance since May 25, topping out at 99.6 mph with his fastball. Diaz had been on the IL with a shoulder impingement before being activated Thursday, but he hadn't been his usual dominant self even before getting shut down -- so far in 2024 he has a 16.7 percent whiff rate, one of the lowest marks of his career and a massive drop from the 25.2 percent rate he delivered in 2022. While his results were impressive Thursday, Diaz managed only two swinging strikes on 15 pitches, suggesting that he may not be fully back in form yet.

Almonte (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

It appears to be the first time he's faced hitters since going down with a right shoulder strain in early May. Almonte should be ready for a rehab assignment before long and is tracking toward a return before the end of the month.

Faucher struck out one in 1.1 perfect innings of relief to Thursday to record his fifth hold of the season in a loss to the Mets.

The 28-year-old right-hander continues to give the Marlins solid innings while seeing occasional high-leverage work. Faucher has been scored upon only twice in his last 12 appearances, posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB through 11.1 innings over that stretch. JT Chargois' return from the IL figures to bump him down another spot in the bullpen pecking order, but if Miami cleans house at the deadline and ships out relievers like Tanner Scott, there could be an opening for Faucher in the late-inning crew.

Grove (4-3) was charged with the loss against the Rangers on Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits over one inning.

Grove was deployed as an opener but wound up having little margin for error as the Dodgers' offense managed to generate only one run on the night, leaving the right-hander with his first loss since May 10. He has allowed at least one run and multiple hits in two straight appearances. He's also failed to record a strikeout in three straight outings.

Yates picked up the save over the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing one walk over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out three.

Yates had a bit of a hard time getting through the ninth after entering the contest with a two-run lead, surrendering a leadoff walk to Teoscar Hernandez on five pitches and advancing him to second base on a balk. However, the veteran reliever made short work of the next three batters, getting all three to go down swinging as he secured his 10th save in as many chances. Yates has been solid in the closer role for Texas thus far and holds a 1.11 ERA on the campaign. He's also recorded multiple strikeouts in three of his last four appearances and has yet to surrender a home run in 2024.

The Pirates outrighted Heller to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Heller passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. The reliever yielded 12 runs (11 earned) over just two innings during his brief time with the Pirates this season.

Sborz (shoulder) headed to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday to begin throwing live batting practice, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

If all goes well in live BP sessions, Sborz will embark on a rehab assignment shortly after. This is Sborz's second stint on the injured list this season due to a right rotator cuff strain.

Robertson allowed one hit, hit a batter and struck out three over a scoreless eighth inning Thursday, earning a hold in a 3-1 win over the Dodgers.

Robertson put the first two batters he faced aboard, setting up a rematch with the top of the Dodgers' lineup after he had struck out Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman on Wednesday to preserve a Texas lead. Robertson proceeded to do the same exact thing Thursday. The veteran reliever has 14 holds this season to go with a 3.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 36.2 percent strikeout rate, his highest mark since 2017.

Banks earned a save against Seattle on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect 10th inning.

Michael Kopech got the opportunity to notch a save in the ninth, but he blew the chance by serving up a game-tying solo shot to Julio Rodriguez. Chicago was able to push across a run in the top of the 10th, and Banks was handed the ball with a chance to earn a save in the bottom of that frame. The left-hander looked good doing so, fanning the first two batters he faced before ending the game by inducing a flyout. It was Banks' second save this season, and he has a 4.73 ERA though 32.1 innings. He isn't likely to see consistent save chances despite Kopech's struggles in the closer role.

Kopech (2-6) blew a save but earned the win over the Mariners on Thursday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two batters over one inning.

Kopech was summoned in the ninth inning to try to protect a one-run Chicago lead but served up a one-out, game-tying solo shot to Julio Rodriguez. To his credit, Kopech bounced back to retire the next two batters and send the game to extra frames, and he was credited with a win as a result of the White Sox pushing across a run in the 10th. Kopech hasn't been very effective in a closing role for Chicago -- he hasn't notched a save since May 15 and is just 5-for-9 in save opportunities this season. He has a 4.91 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 29.1 innings, though his 13.2 K/9 is characteristic of what most teams look for from a closer.