MLB Player News

May picked up the save in Wednesday's 6-5 victory over the Red Sox, tallying a walk and a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

May now has saves in back-to-back games as he improves to 8-for-10 in opportunities this year. The 33-year-old right-hander has been solid since taking over closing duties in Oakland, pitching to a 1.74 ERA over his last 11 appearances (10.1 innings). After a rocky start, May now sports a 4.91 ERA with a 1.64 WHIP and 21:21 K:BB through 25.2 innings this season.

Bautista picked up the save Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Bautista needed only 12 pitches to get through the top of the ninth and record his 26th save. The right-handed reliever has only allowed one baserunner over his last three appearances and lowered his season ERA to 1.00 with Wednesday's scoreless outing. He's given up just one run and has a 40:3 K:BB in his past 19 outings.

Hader struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jays.

He did hit a batter, but Hader then fanned Alejandro Kirk and George Springer to stifle any chance at a Toronto rally. Hader has converted 10 of 11 save chances since the beginning of June while not allowing an earned run during that stretch, posting a 1.17 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB in his last 13.2 innings.

Alvarado (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Alvarado went on the injured list on July 9 with left elbow inflammation but has felt better since being given a cortisone shot. The reliever missed a month earlier this season with the same injury, but it's unclear at this point whether a similar timetable is expected.

Williams gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to close out a 5-3 win over the Phillies.

The right-hander ran into a bit of trouble by giving up singles to Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott, but William Contreras threw out Stott attempting to steal second and Williams then fanned Alec Bohm to end the threat. The Milwaukee closer has been scored upon only once in his last 16 appearances, converting 14 of 15 save chances during that stretch with a 1.15 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings.

Speas struck out three over 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings to earn a hold in Wednesday's 5-1 win over Tampa Bay.

Speas, who was called up earlier in the day, made his MLB debut which included striking out All-Stars Wander Franco, Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena. The Rangers needed bullpen length due to Jon Gray being removed during the fifth inning after taking a comebacker off his leg. Speas and Brock Burke combined for 3.2 scoreless innings with just one hit allowed and six strikeouts.

Bednar picked up the save in Wednesday's 7-5 victory over the Guardians. He struck out one over a scoreless inning and did not allow any hits or walks.

Bednar entered the game with a two-run lead in the top of the ninth and struck out Will Brennan on three straight pitches before quickly retiring the next two hitters to collect his 18th save of the season. The right-handed reliever needed only seven pitches to get through the frame, and he's now converted each of his last 14 save opportunities. Bednar also has not allowed an earned run since June 9 against the Mets, a span which covers 12 appearances.

Ginkel earned a save against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over one inning.

Ginkel's second save in as many days didn't come easily, as he faced the top of Atlanta's order and gave up a run on a double, a walk and a wild pitch. However, he was allowed to close out the victory despite seeing the tying run to come to the plate, which speaks to manager Torey Lovullo's trust in him. Ginkel has earned that trust with a 2.39 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB over 37.2 innings on the campaign. It may be premature to anoint him the Diamondbacks' full-time closer, but with Scott McGough having given up six runs over 1.1 frames since the All-Star break and having not recorded a save since July 1, Ginkel is likely the best Arizona bullpen option for fantasy managers chasing saves.

Diaz earned a save against the Giants on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Diaz had no trouble protecting a one-run ninth-inning lead for Cincinnati, retiring all three batters he faced on 11 total pitches. The dynamic closer fanned two of those hitters, marking the 20th time over 44 outings on the campaign that he's struck out multiple batters. Diaz has blossomed into one of the game's elite closers in his second big-league season, posting a 1.90 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 65:19 K:BB over 41.2 frames while ranking second in the league with 27 saves.

Duran allowed a hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mariners.

Duran had a rough patch of allowing five runs (four earned) over three appearances earlier in July, but this was his third straight scoreless outing. The hard-throwing righty is up to 16 saves in 19 chances this season. He's maintained a strong 2.11 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 49:15 K:BB through 38.1 innings as the Twins' closer.