MLB Player News

Okert (3-1) took the loss Sunday against the Orioles, coughing up three runs on four hits in only one-third of an inning.

Getting the nod as the opener in a bullpen day, Okert gave up doubles to the first two batters he faced before Anthony Santander crushed a slider over the center-field fence. Long balls have been an issue for the southpaw reliever lately -- he's served up three homers in his last 9.1 innings, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1,39 WHIP over that stretch despite a 13:2 K:BB. Okert already has 10 holds and three wins in 38 appearances on the season, but his grip on a set-up role could be tenuous.

Diaz allowed one hit and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Milwaukee.

The game was setting up as a save opportunity for Diaz, as the Reds entered the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead. However, setup reliever Lucas Sims allowed a run and left with a runner on second base. Diaz was summoned earlier than usual but was unable to prevent the inherited runner from scoring, as Andruw Monasterio's flare to right field landed in play. The All-Star closer has a better-than-average 80.5 percent strand rate.

Sims (3-2) was tagged with Sunday's loss to the Brewers. He allowed two runs on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

The Reds held a 3-2 lead entering the eighth inning and were hoping to prevent a sweep at the hand of their division rivals. Sims, who closed out the seventh inning, allowed a walk and a single to lead off the eighth before Owen Miller's sacrifice fly tied the game. Another run was charged to Sims after he left the game. Sims, who has been near-impeccable as the Reds' primary setup reliever, entered the game with a 1.93 ERA over the previous 18.2 innings and was the bullpen with 13 holds.

Robertson (4-2) earned the win over the Dodgers on Sunday after allowing a hit and striking out a batter over two scoreless innings.

Robertson stranded Chris Taylor in scoring position in the ninth after allowing a double and then retired all three Dodger hitters in the 10th to strand the automatic runner. The Mets would walk it off in the bottom of the inning, awarding Robertson is fourth win of the year to compliment his 12 saves. The 38-year-old has pitched to a sparkling 1.96 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB in 41.1 innings this season. Given his experience, Robertson could be one of the top relievers available on the trade market should the Mets end up deciding to sell.

Williams picked up the save in Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Reds. He struck out one over a clean inning.

Sunday's appearance marked five straight outings without surrendering a hit, a stretch in which Williams has picked up five saves and struck out 11 batters. The right-hander is now in sole possession of sixth place in saves and boasts a 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 36.1 innings.

Walker (3-0) pitched a perfect inning and struck out one to earn the extra-inning win Sunday over the Pirates.

Walker kept the game tied in the ninth inning, and the Giants rallied ahead in the 10th to give him the win. The right-hander has frequently served as an opener with the Giants using a lot of bullpen games in recent weeks, but he has a better chance of collecting decisions when working as a traditional reliever. He's at a 3.00 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 28:8 K:BB and one blown save through 24 innings in a mostly low-leverage role.

Holmes allowed a run on two hits in one-third of an inning, taking a blown save Sunday versus the Rockies.

Holmes was in a tight situation with the bases loaded and two outs following a tough outing from Tommy Kahnle. C.J. Cron hit a grand slam off Holmes in the eighth inning, handing the Yankees' top reliever his third blown save of the season. He's now at a 2.39 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 47:15 K:BB while going 11-for-14 in save chances and adding five holds over 37.2 innings in a general high-leverage role.

Hader blew the save Sunday against the Phillies. He allowed one unearned run on one hit while striking out one over one inning.

Hader took the mound in the 10th inning with a 6-5 lead but was unable to keep the Phillies off the board as Bryce Harper knocked in Johan Rojas, who was Philadelphia's automatic runner, with a single. It was Hader's first blown save since May 31 and also marked his first run allowed in his last 13 appearances (11.2 innings). The 29-year-old remains a highly valuable closing option, owning the seventh-most saves in baseball (22) on a 1.03 ERA.

Bard allowed two runs on a hit, two walks and hit-by-pitch in one inning, taking a blown save Sunday versus the Yankees.

Bard has worked his way back into high-leverage mix, but he threw just seven of 18 pitches for strikes in this sloppy outing. The Rockies were ultimately able to get the win in the 11th inning. He's allowed multiple runs in three of his last nine appearances, making him a somewhat risky reliever in fantasy. For the season, he's at a 2.20 ERA despite a 1.38 WHIP and 28:26 K:BB through 32.2 innings. He's added a save and three holds.

Barria (2-5) worked out of the bullpen and was charged with a blown save and a loss Sunday against Houston after allowing four runs on three hits and one walk over one inning.

Prior to the All-Star break, Barria had serving as the Angels' No. 6 starter, but he's now been deployed out of the bullpen in his first two appearances of the season half. He was tasked with protecting a 7-5 lead in the top of the ninth Sunday and couldn't close the deal, yielding back-to-back home runs to Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker en route to surrendering four runs in total. With off days coming up Thursday as well as the following Monday, the Angels may opt to get by with a five-man rotation for the time being.