MLB Player News

Chapman walked one and struck out three over a scoreless eighth inning to record a hold in Monday's 5-3 win over the Athletics.

Chapman recorded a fourth straight hold, all which have come with him pitching the eighth inning. Texas manager Bruce Bochy has settled on a late-game pattern, where Josh Sborz works the seventh, Chapman the eighth, and Will Smith closes in the ninth. That's been the formula for four victories during the Rangers' seven-game winning streak. Chapman's been brilliant since being acquired from Kansas City in late June, posting a 23:3 K:BB over 12 innings. The lone blemish was a blown save July 24 against division rival Houston.

Shaw earned a save against the Yankees on Monday, allowing one hit and striking out four batters over two scoreless innings.

Shaw entered in the top of the eighth inning with Chicago up 2-1, and he dominated by striking out the side on 13 pitches. The White Sox scored three times in the bottom of the frame, so manager Pedro Grifol elected to allow the right-hander the opportunity to close things out. Shaw did so without much trouble, allowing a leadoff double to Aaron Judge in the ninth but retiring the next three batters. It was the veteran reliever's first save of the campaign and 16th of his career, but he doesn't figure to get many more chances moving forward despite an unsettled closer situation since Liam Hendriks was lost for the season with an elbow injury and Kendall Graveman and Reynaldo Lopez were both traded at the deadline.

De Los Santos (4-2) allowed two runs on two hits in one inning to take the loss Monday versus the Blue Jays.

Starter Gavin Williams pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, but De Los Santos couldn't keep the momentum in Cleveland's favor, allowing a two-run home run to Cavan Biggio in the eighth. The homer ended a 10-inning scoreless streak for De Los Santos, who had a 9:3 K:BB with four holds in that span. The right-hander has emerged as a solid setup man for the Guardians with a 2.61 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 42:18 K:BB over 48.1 innings while adding 11 holds this season. He slots in behind Emmanuel Clase and Trevor Stephan in the Guardians' late-inning mix.

Hicks earned a save against Cleveland on Monday, allowing one hit and one walk in one scoreless inning.

Hicks got the call from the bullpen with the Blue Jays up 3-1 in the ninth frame. The right-hander quickly found himself in trouble after hitting the first batter he faced and then yielding a single to Jose Ramirez. However, Hicks was able to retire the next two hitters, and after loading the bases by walking Gabriel Arias, he got Brayan Rocchio to ground out to escape the jam. It wasn't a smooth conversion by any means, but Hicks has been successful in both his save chances since joining Toronto and may get another opportunity or two before Jordan Romano (back) returns to reclaim the ninth-inning job.

Estevez (5-3) allowed five runs on three hits and two walks in one-third of an inning Monday versus the Giants, taking the loss and a blown save.

For the third time in five outings, Estevez allowed at least four runs. In that span, he's given up 15 runs (nine earned) across 5.1 innings while taking his first two blown saves of the season. The Angels' closer now has a 3.57 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 56:27 K:BB while converting 23 of 25 save chances through 45.1 innings. He's been playing with fire all year with a 5.4 BB/9, and it appears to be catching up to him now. For now, the Angels haven't indicated they'll remove Estevez from the closer role, but he'll need to put together some scoreless outings to restore confidence.

Rogers (6-4) struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the win Monday over the Angels.

Rogers kept the Giants within a run in the eighth inning, and their offense took over in the ninth to rally for the 8-3 win. The southpaw has allowed one unearned run, seven hits and four walks while racking up eight strikeouts over his last 9.1 innings. For the season, he's maintained a 2.52 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 46:19 K:BB with a save and seven holds through 39.1 innings as a key late-inning option in the Giants' steady bullpen.

Smith walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Athletics.

Smith put together a much better effort than in his last appearance Saturday, when he gave up two runs in one inning. He's converted a save in each of his last four outings. The veteran southpaw is now at a 3.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 43:10 K:BB with 21 saves and five holds over 42 innings this season. Smith continues to hold a noticeable edge over Aroldis Chapman for ninth-inning duties, though both have generally pitched well aside from a rare hiccup lately.

Hernandez (1-7) took the loss Monday versus the Red Sox, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning.

Hernandez was brought in to keep the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, but instead loaded the bases. Pablo Reyes unloaded them with a walk-off grand slam. Hernandez gave up just two runs over 13.1 innings in July, but he's already surrendered six runs in 2.2 innings in August. He's now at a 4.20 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 66:19 K:BB through 55.2 innings this season. Hernandez is still likely to see most of the Royals' save chances, but on a team that doesn't win much, he can't be counted on for a steady stream of saves.

Lambert (2-3) allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings to take the loss Monday versus the Brewers.

Lambert held his own over the first three innings, but it all fell apart in the fourth. He's given up nine runs over his last eight innings while taking a pair of losses in his last two starts. The right-hander has a 5.57 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 47:22 K:BB through 53.1 innings over 19 appearances (five starts) this season. Lambert remains in the rotation despite his poor performance since the Rockies have no better options available. He's projected to face the Dodgers on the road this weekend.

Bednar allowed a run on one hit and earned a save over Atlanta on Monday.

For the first time this season, Bednar has allowed a run in consecutive appearances. His season ERA still sits at 1.54 with a 56:13 K:BB through 45 outings. Despite some recent shakiness, Bednar has converted 23 of 25 save chances this season, including 19 of his last 20.