MLB Player News

Herget notched a save against the Twins on Saturday by retiring both batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Colorado took an 8-2 lead into the ninth frame and initially handed the ball to Zach Agnos. However, Agnos got only one out while allowing three runs to score, turning what was looking like a blowout into a close game. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer consequently turned to Herget, who put out the flames with a pair of flyouts. Herget has recorded a save in two of his past three appearances and hasn't allowed an earned run in any of his past six outings. That puts him firmly in the conversation for Colorado's primary closer role, especially since Antonio Senzatela has gone 0-for-4 in save chances while posting a 5.56 ERA and 1.85 WHIP over his past nine appearances.

Smith earned a save against the Mariners on Saturday, allowing one hit and and no walks while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Smith was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning. He made things interesting, yielding a one-out single and then hitting a batter with two outs, but he was able to escape with the save by getting Josh Naylor on a game-ending groundout. Though the outing wasn't smooth, it was a needed rebound for Smith after he took a blown save and a loss while surrendering four runs across 2.1 frames over his previous two appearances. Even with those hiccups, Smith's season ERA is still fine at 3.13, and he leads the majors with 25 saves in 28 chances.

Lawrence secured the save Saturday against the Orioles, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in a scoreless 10th inning.

Clayton Beeter kept Baltimore off the board with a scoreless ninth frame, and then Lawrence got the call for the 10th after Washington took the lead in the top of the inning. Lawrence, who was making his Nationals debut Saturday, has previous closing experience with the Rockies, though it's hard to envision him being trusted with consistent high-leverage work. Lawrence has a 7.76 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 37:22 K:BB over 29 innings between the Pirates, Twins and the Nats this year.

Rolison will work as the Cubs' opening pitcher Sunday versus Milwaukee, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Rolison has one opening appearance so far this season, retiring all four batters he faced against the Giants on June 13. He's tossed fewer than two frames in each of his 10 outings so far in June, so the left-hander presumably won't work deep into Sunday's matchup. The Cubs haven't designated a bulk reliever to enter the game behind Rolison, though Bryse Wilson had recently been serving as a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Phillies organization before the Cubs scooped him up off waivers Wednesday.

Teng was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Teng made the start Saturday against Detroit and gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. That continued a rough June for the right-hander, who has given up at least four earned runs in four of his five starts this month. Teng's demotion to the minors makes room on the 26-man roster for reliever Miguel Ullola, who was recalled from Sugar Land on Saturday. However, Teng's spot in the rotation could soon be taken by Cristian Javier (shoulder), who tossed 75 pitches in his most recent rehab start Sunday and appears to be closing in on returning from the IL.

Rangel (0-1) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over four innings.

Rangel pitched well early but unraveled in a four-run sixth inning he was unable to escape. Through three outings with the Phillies this season, the 28-year-old owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB across 12 innings. He gave up just one run in each of his first two appearances. Should he remain in the club's rotation plans, he'd line up for a home matchup against the Pirates next week.

Perez will serve as the Mets' opening pitcher for Sunday's contest against Philadelphia, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Perez began the campaign with Washington before joining the Mets on a minor-league deal in early May. The lefty hurler was brought up to the big-league club May 30 and has appeared in 10 contests, posting a 3.68 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 14:1 K:BB over 14.2 innings. Perez hasn't tossed more than 32 pitches in an outing this season, so the Mets are unlikely to have him cover more than an inning or two before he turns the game over to the bullpen. Both Tobias Myers and Kodai Senga are available on four days' rest and could be candidates to cover multiple innings in relief.

Baker threw a clean ninth inning for the save Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Baker has now successfully converted 10 saves in a row. With 21 for the year, the right-hander trails only Cade Smith for the major-league lead in saves. Baker has been close to a lights-out closer since seizing Tampa Bay's ninth-inning gig, posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 32.1 innings with only three blown saves.

Petty earned the save in Saturday's 9-7 win over the Pirates, allowing no hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Petty was called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and needed just 12 pitches to collect his first major-league save. The 23-year-old has been strong since being recalled June 10, allowing just one earned run in six outings during that stretch. He owns a 3.72 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 8:2 K across 19.1 innings with the Reds this season, though he likely won't factor into the closer mix once Emilio Pagan (hamstring) returns from his current rehab assignment.

Pivetta (forearm) has advanced to playing long toss and could soon begin throwing off a mound, MLB.com reports.

Pivetta has been sidelined by a right flexor strain since mid-April. The right-handed hurler began a throwing program in late May, but he's yet to start up mound work. With that big step potentially looming, Pivetta appears to be making tangible progress in his recovery. Nonetheless, he's not expected to return to San Diego's rotation until sometime after the All-Star break.