MLB Player News

Estevez (5-2) took the loss and blew a save against the Mariners on Thursday, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three batters over one inning.

Estevez entered the contest a perfect 23-for-23 in save opportunities, but that fantastic run came to an end Thursday. The right-hander walked the first two batters he faced before a Dominic Canzone single loaded the bases. Estevez bounced back to strike out Teoscar Hernandez but then saw the game turn on its head when Cade Marlowe belted a grand slam on an 0-2 pitch. Estevez probably isn't yet in danger of losing his closing gig given his strong overall results this season, though he's struggled of late, allowing nine runs over four frames across his past three appearances.

Munoz earned a save against the Angels on Thursday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth inning.

After Seattle rallied to take the lead with a four-run ninth inning, Munoz was summoned to slam the door on the Angels. He did so with aplomb, fanning all three batters he faced on 16 pitches. By doing so, Munoz notched a save for the second straight day. He appears to be the clear closer of choice for Seattle with Paul Sewald now in Arizona.

Alzolay tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to record the save in Thursday's win over the Reds. He didn't allow any hits or walks, and he struck out two.

Alzolay continued his good recent stretch, as he's now recorded seven straight scoreless outings, a span of 7.2 innings. He's a perfect 6-for-6 in save opportunities in that time and has 13 saves overall this season in 14 chances. Alzolay also has a tidy 2.27 ERA, and his strong play should keep him locked into the closer role for the Cubs moving forward.

Doval picked up the save in Thursday's 1-0 win over Arizona. He allowed two hits while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Doval worked around a pair of singles, inducing a Joc Pederson flyout to end the threat and earn his major-league leading 33rd save. After blowing a save against Boston on July 29, the 26-year-old flamethrower has turned in four consecutive scoreless appearances, allowing three hits while striking out five and issuing zero walks across four innings during that stretch.

Beck (3-0) earned the win in Thursday's 1-0 victory over the Diamondbacks. He allowed two hits without walking a batter while striking out three over four scoreless innings.

Beck turned in a solid bulk-relief outing, blanking the Arizona offense for four innings after Scott Alexander worked as the opener for San Francisco. The 27-year-old Beck, a rookie, has pitched well in his last six appearances for the big-league club, posting a sterling 0.60 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB across 11.1 innings during that span.

Ryan was selected to the Mariners' 40-man roster on Thursday and optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

Ryan likely had another opt-out in his minor-league contract with Seattle, thus triggering this move. The 28-year-old right-hander will remain stationed at Tacoma, where he has pitched to a 3.72 ERA and 38:15 K:BB through 38.2 innings this season.

Barlow earned a hold against Colorado on Wednesday, striking out three batters in 1.2 scoreless innings.

After being acquired in a trade with the Royals on Tuesday, Barlow saw his first action as a Padre on Wednesday, coming on with San Diego holding a 4-1 lead with one out in the sixth frame. The right-handed reliever's own error put a runner on base in that inning, but that was the only misstep by Barlow in an impressive outing during which he threw 15 of 20 pitches for a strike and fanned three batters. Josh Hader is entrenched as the Padres' closer, so Barlow probably won't have many chances to add to the 13 saves he notched while with Kansas City, but he should still see plenty of high-leverage situations as a bridge to Hader.

Oakland optioned Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Harris was lit up for eight earned runs over three innings in a brutal start Wednesday night against the Dodgers. The 26-year-old left-hander has posted a 6.98 ERA across his first 59.1 major-league innings this season.

Oakland selected Neal's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Neal has allowed three earned runs in 3.1 innings of work this season at the major-league level, and he hasn't been much better on the farm. The 34-year-old right-hander figures to operate in long relief in his return to the Athletics, though there is an open rotation spot.

Jimenez (shoulder) allowed five earned runs on one hit, three walks, a hit batsman and a wild pitch over one inning in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Albuquerque on Wednesday. He struck out one.

Jimenez's disastrous performance in what was already his fifth rehab appearance is of at least some concern, as it also marked the second time in the last three outings he surrendered multiple earned runs. The significant lack of control Wednesday was also alarming, and Jimenez got only 14 of his 35 pitches into the strike zone overall. The right-hander still has some time to work out the kinks on the farm, but if he doesn't demonstrate notable improvement in subsequent appearances, it's not inconceivable he'd remain at the Triple-A level for the time being once activated.