MLB Player News

Williams earned a save against the Padres on Saturday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Williams entered in the bottom of the ninth with the Brewers holding a one-run lead, and he had no trouble with the bottom of San Diego's lineup, retiring the side in order on 14 pitches. The right-hander punched out two Padres in the outing and has now struck out multiple batters in four of his past six appearances. Williams continues to stand out as one of MLB's top closers, recording 31 saves in 34 chances while registering a 1.46 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 74:23 K:BB over 49.1 frames.

Sims struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings win over the Diamondbacks.

Sims took care of business in the 11th inning after Alexis Diaz and the Reds' shaky defense combined to blow a save chance in the 10th. This was Sims' third save of the season to go with 21 holds and four blown saves in 53 appearances. He's posted three consecutive scoreless appearances, and he's now at a 3.70 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 63:32 K:BB through 48.2 innings this season. The right-hander remains a solid setup man, but it would take a brutal slump from Diaz for Sims to be considered for closing duties.

Diaz (6-4) allowed three unearned runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over one inning, taking a blown save but earning the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

A Matt McLain error in the 10th inning allowed the Diamondbacks to extend a rally, erasing the Reds' three-run lead. Cincinnati retook the lead in the 11th, and Lucas Sims secured the save to allow Diaz to back into a win. Diaz has allowed seven runs (three earned) across 9.1 innings while posting a 9:7 K:BB in August -- shaky work for one of the better closers in the game this year. He's at a 2.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 77:27 K:BB through 56.2 innings while going 34-for-36 in save chances.

Alzolay struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Saturday's 10-6 win over the Pirates.

Daniel Palencia was tasked with protecting a four-run lead in the ninth inning, but he walked two while collecting two outs. With Bryan Reynolds up to bat, manager David Ross tasked Alzolay with ending the threat. This was Alzolay's 21st save in 22 chances this season, and he's converted 17 chances in a row. For the season, he's maintained a 2.64 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB over 58 innings.

Wicks (1-0) allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out nine over five innings to earn the win Saturday over the Pirates.

Wicks made his MLB debut Saturday and showed some nerves in allowing Ke'Bryan Hayes to hit a leadoff home run to begin the bottom of the first inning. Two more reached base after that, but Wicks then retired 15 in a row before Hayden Wesneski pitched the sixth. Wicks posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 99:32 K:BB over 91.1 innings across 20 starts between Double-A and Triple-A prior to his call-up. The 23-year-old southpaw likely earned another start with Saturday's effort, so he can be tentatively penciled in to pitch at Cincinnati next week.

Cano picked up the save while tossing a perfect inning in Saturday's 5-4 win over Colorado. He didn't record a strikeout.

With Felix Bautista (elbow) being placed on the 15-day injured list after suffering a UCL injury during Friday's game, Cano stepped into the closer's role a day later and got the job done. Cano has five saves this season and appears to be the clear favorite to claim Bautista's vacated closing duties.

Silseth is undergoing tests at a hospital after being struck in the back of the head by a throw in Saturday's game versus the Mets, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

First baseman Trey Cabbage was trying to throw a runner out at third base in the fourth inning but hit Silseth before the ball could reach its intended destination. Weston notes that Silseth was alert and speaking before leaving for the hospital and even joked about whether he was covering the right base, which seems like a good sign. The Angels will update the pitcher's status once the results of the tests are in.

Silseth was removed from Saturday's start versus the Mets in the fourth inning after a throw across the infield hit him in the back of the head, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The Angels were trying to cut down a runner with a throw from first to third base, but Silseth was in the line of fire and was struck in the back of the head. He was down on the field for several minutes before eventually walking off with a little help. The right-hander is surely set to go through concussion testing. Silseth was charged with two runs on two hits and two walks over 3.1 innings before exiting the game.

Fairbanks picked up the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Yankees. He allowed one hit and struck out two without a walk over a scoreless inning.

The 29-year-old closer buckled down after allowing a leadoff single to DJ LeMahieu, striking out Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres before inducing a lazy popout by Giancarlo Stanton to secure a 3-0 victory. Fairbanks remains perfect in save chances since returning from injury June 15, converting all 11 opportunities. He boasts a 3.00 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB across 21 innings during that time frame.

Ferguson will serve as an opener for the Dodgers on Sunday in Boston, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Gavin Stone will be the primary pitcher for the Dodgers, but he'll be preceded by Ferguson. It will be the fourth opener assignment this season for Ferguson, who allowed one run in three innings over his first three outings as an opener.