MLB Player News

Holmes earned a save over the White Sox in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader, allowing one walk in a scoreless inning.

Holmes was tasked with preserving the Yankees' combined shutout and succeeded in doing so despite issuing a leadoff walk. The righty reliever has allowed just one run over 16.1 frames across his past 16 appearances, posting a 20:8 K:BB over that span. The strong stretch has helped him reclaim the primary closer role for New York -- he's earned three of the team's last four saves after going without any saves between April 12 and May 20.

Graveman allowed one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning to earn a save in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Yankees on Thursday.

Per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times, Liam Hendriks was available but "playing it abundantly safe" in consideration of his lowered immune system given the unhealthy New York air quality caused by wildfires in Canada. As such, Graveman was called upon to close out Game 1 of the twin bill with Chicago clinging to a one-run ninth-inning lead. The right-hander made a bit of a mess for himself, allowing the first two Yankees batters to reach base before inducing a Gleyber Torres foulout and a game-ending Anthony Rizzo double play. Graveman has converted all six of his save opportunities this season while posting a 2.36 ERA and 26:11 K:BB, but he'll presumably yield most ninth-inning opportunities to Hendriks moving forward.

Adam picked up the save in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Twins, striking out one over one inning.

Adam entered the game in the ninth with a 4-2 lead and retired all three hitters he faced to record his 10th save of the season. It was a nice rebound outing for the Rays reliever after he blew the save Wednesday against these same Twins. He's now converted five of his last six save opportunities and holds a 2.96 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP while holding down the closer role in the absence of Pete Fairbanks (hip).

Alexander (5-0) earned the win, pitching a perfect inning versus the Rockies on Thursday.

Alexander has racked up 9.1 consecutive scoreless innings over his last 10 appearances, and he's given up just two hits, a walk and one hit-by-pitch in that span. The southpaw's strong work has helped him move up the leverage ladder slightly, though the Giants have plenty of late-inning options that will generally keep him out of the conversation for saves. He has one save, six holds and two blown saves while posting a 3.57 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over 22.2 innings this season.

Akin (2-1) allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday over the Brewers.

The Orioles rallied ahead in the eighth inning with Akin in the game, giving him his first win since April 23. The southpaw has been alright as a middle reliever, allowing a run on seven hits with a 5:1 K:BB over his last 5.1 inning since he was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk in late May. He's at a 4.50 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB with three holds through 16 innings this season.

Banks was returned to Triple-A Charlotte after the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Banks was added as the 27th man for the second game of the twin bill. He did not appear in the contest but is likely to serve as bullpen depth at some point during the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

Hudson (knee) kicked off a rehab assignment with the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League team Tuesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Hudson tore the ACL in his left knee in June of last year and has been slowly working his way back to action. There was some hope during spring training that the reliever could return by the end of April, but his progress has been slower than anticipated. The Dodgers have the fourth-worst bullpen ERA in the majors this season, so they could certainly use Hudson's help, especially if he can come anywhere close to his 2022 performance, which included a 2.22 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 30:5 K:BB over 24.1 innings. According to manager Dave Roberts, the veteran right-hander is still weeks away from a return, per MLB.com, but he could ascend to a high-leverage role relatively quickly upon his activation.

Lange (3-2) allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while retiring just two batters to blow the save and take the loss Thursday against the Phillies.

Lange allowed four earned runs while retiring just a single batter in his last outing Sunday, and he struggled again Thursday, blowing his second save of the year in 12 chances. Before this rough two-game stretch, he had a dominant 1.11 ERA, but that has jumped to 3.20. Lange should still have some wiggle room as the team's closer, but continued poor play could lead to Jason Foley or Jose Cisnero potentially seeing some save opportunities.

Boxberger (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Boxberger will head to the Cubs' spring training facility to throw his second bullpen session in the last week. It's unclear how much longer he'll need to ramp up before returning to game action, though he is expected to go on at least a brief rehab assignment before being activated.

Doval picked up the save Thursday against Colorado, logging a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Doval has converted his last 12 save opportunities, improving to 16-for-17 on the season. He's allowed just two earned runs in that span (16.2 innings) while striking out 26. The 25-year-old Doval has been a top-tier closing option this season -- his ERA is down to 1.95 with a 0.94 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB through 27.2 innings.