MLB Player News

Pressly allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and struck out one over one inning to take a blown save in Saturday's 13-12 extra-inning loss to the Angels.

Pressly was tasked with protecting a three-run lead in the ninth inning but failed to get the job done. Shohei Ohtani hit a solo home run, and further traffic on the bases yielded two more runs before the Angels completed their comeback against Phil Maton a frame later. Prior to Saturday, Pressly had given up just one unearned run while allowing no hits and four walks over his previous 12 innings. The closer had a shaky stretch in early June, so fantasy managers will have to hope Saturday's outing doesn't lead to extended troubles. Pressly has a 2.36 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 46:8 K:BB while going 21-for-25 in save chances over 41.1 innings this season.

Williams picked up the save Saturday against the Reds. He struck out two over a clean inning.

Williams rattled off his third straight perfect inning and hasn't given up a hit in his last four appearances (3.2 innings). Through 36 outings (35.1 innings), Williams is tied with Josh Hader for the sixth-most saves in baseball and owns a 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 12.48 K/9.

Holmes allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

Holmes had limited opponents to two walks and no hits over his last five outings (4.2 innings). While his hitless stretch ended, he turned in another scoreless effort. Holmes has been scored on in just six of his 39 appearances, pitching to a strong 2.17 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 47:15 K:BB over 37.1 innings. He's added 11 saves, five holds, two blown saves and a 4-2 record while serving as one of the Yankees' top high-leverage relievers.

Duran picked up the save Saturday against the Athletics. He struck out two over one clean inning.

After giving up five runs over his last three appearances, Duran bounced back with a perfect inning to nail down his 14th save of the campaign Saturday. Though Duran has struggled as of late, he owns a 2.23 ERA through 33 appearances (36.1 innings) on the year and is locked into closing duties for Minnesota.

Harris allowed five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five over four innings Saturday against the Twins.

Harris took over in the second frame for opener Austin Pruitt, who gave up a pair of runs in his lone inning of work. Harris didn't fare much better, serving up five runs, including a two-run homer to Michael Taylor, over four innings. The southpaw has now given up four or more runs and walked at least three batters in each of his last four appearances. However, Hogan had allowed only eight runs in his last 28 innings prior to the poor four outings.

Okert will serve as an opener for the Marlins on Sunday in Baltimore, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Johnny Cueto seems to be a good bet to serve as a bulk reliever in the game. Okert has been fantastic for the Marlins this season, holding a 2.53 ERA and 43:11 K:BB over 32 relief innings.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that Chapman and Will Smith will share closer duties based on which hitters are due up, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

The comments came after Chapman picked up his first save since joining the Rangers on Saturday versus the Guardians, striking out two while allowing one hit in a scoreless frame. Smith tossed 1.2 scoreless innings before Chapman in the game. The latter is having a terrific season and hasn't done anything recent to lose his job, but Chapman has had an even better year and is arguably a better choice at closer for the American League West leaders. For now, the two left-handers will share the gig.

Romano (back) underwent an MRI on his lower back which came back clean Saturday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Romano faced just one batter in the All-Star Game before exiting with lower-back tightness, but the problem appears to be a minor one. Tests revealed nothing serious, but he remains day-to-day and was thus unable to pick up the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks, with Yimi Garcia getting the opportunity instead.

Criswell will be the bulk reliever in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, with Shawn Armstrong set to open the game on the mound, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

All six of Criswell's major-league outings this season have come in a similar role. He's recorded at least seven outs each time but has topped out at 4.2 innings. The 26-year-old righty owns a 5.14 ERA overall but has allowed just two runs in 9.2 innings over his last three appearances.

Armstrong will open the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

The Rays may be playing two games in one day, but they only had to use two members of a well-rested bullpen in the afternoon contest, so Armstrong won't face much pressure to eat innings. He did throw three innings as an opener in his final appearance before the break, but he hasn't lasted more than two frames in any of his other 12 outings. Cooper Criswell is expected to follow Armstrong as the bulk reliever.