MLB Player News

Pressly struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning during Friday's win over the White Sox.

With Houston up 5-1, Pressly needed just 10 pitches to retire the White Sox in order. Though it was a non-save situation, it was an encouraging rebound after he nearly blew a save against the Angels on Wednesday. He lowered his season ERA to 3.86 with a 15:2 K:BB.

Fleming didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over four relief innings. He struck out two.

Entering the game in the third inning after Trevor Kelley was deployed as the opener, Fleming was handed a 2-1 lead but eventually gave up the tying run before exiting after 52 pitches (29 strikes). The southpaw has been erratic this season -- 11 of his 15 earned runs allowed have come in just two of his eight appearances -- and his 4.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 17:14 K:BB through 31.2 innings are far from enticing for fantasy GMs. Nonetheless, he'll continue to factor into the rotation mix, either as a traditional starter or bulk reliever, due to all the injuries on the Rays' staff. His next turn is likely to come on the road next week against the Mets.

Diaz picked up the save in Friday's 7-4 win over the Marlins, tossing a perfect ninth inning in which he struck out two.

Diaz entered with a three-run lead and retired the side in order, including strikeouts of Jesus Sanchez and Jazz Chisholm. The closer hasn't allowed a run in 12 straight outings (10.1 innings) or blown a save this season. Diaz sports a 2.03 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB through 15 games (13.1 innings) and is quickly becoming one of the best late-inning relievers in MLB.

Adam (0-1) allowed one earned run on one hit across two-thirds of an inning to blow the save and take the loss Friday against the Yankees.

Adam entered the game with the Rays holding a one-run lead and a runner on first base in the eighth inning. He served up a two-run home run to Anthony Rizzo -- the first batter he faced -- to blow his second save of the season. Adam had allowed earned runs in only two of his 17 appearances, leading to a 1.69 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 20:5 K:BB through 16 innings. Despite Friday's stumble, he should continue to see plenty of save chances so long as Pete Fairbanks (forearm) is sidelined.

Lawrence (1-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk while striking out two across 1.1 innings to take the loss Friday against the Phillies.

Lawrence has had an excellent start to the season, as he entered Saturday's game having made 10 consecutive scoreless appearances. He stumbled Friday, however, allowing two doubles and a walk with two outs in the eighth inning. Lawrence has the skills to be Colorado's closer -- he has a 2.18 ERA and 24:9 K:BB across 20.2 innings -- but he has been locked into a setup role early on in the campaign.

Kimbrel allowed a hit and struck out three in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

This was Kimbrel's first save chance in his last five outings. He's kept runs off the board in three straight appearances, and with Jose Alvarado (elbow) on the injured list, Kimbrel should be in line for a higher share of save chances. The veteran reliever has struggled to a 6.60 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB across 15 innings this season while adding four saves, three holds and a 2-1 record through 17 appearances.

Helsley (1-2) retired all six batters he faced and earned a win over Boston on Friday. He struck out four.

Helsley entered in the eighth inning with two runners on base and allowed an inherited runner to score the go-ahead run on a groundout. The Cardinals took the lead back in the ninth and Helsley struck out the side to finish the game. He's registered an 8:1 K:BB with zero earned runs over his last seven frames. Helsley's season ERA has dropped to 2.76 through 14 appearances.

Castillo allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Brewers. He did not factor in the decision.

Castillo worked as a bulk reliever behind opener Josh Taylor. The damage against Castillo amounted to an Owen Miller solo home run and a Tyrone Taylor RBI single. In two long-relief outings, Castillo owns a 3.86 ERA, but it comes with a 1.86 WHIP and 5:5 K:BB through seven innings. Considering he had a 9:10 K:BB through 24.1 innings with Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up, it appears the right-hander could still benefit from some time working on his control in the minors.

Taylor (0-1) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out two in one inning Friday, taking the loss versus the Brewers.

An error by catcher Freddy Fermin on a Willy Adames stolen base in the first inning allowed Christian Yelich to deliver an RBI single, and the Brewers never looked back. Taylor has struggled to keep runs off the board -- he's been scored on in five of his 10 appearances this season, resulting in a 6.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB over 12 innings. He was used as an opener Friday, but he's mainly been a middle reliever for the Royals, which should be his primary role the rest of the season.

Jansen (1-1) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk without recording an out in Friday's loss to St. Louis. He was charged with a blown save and a loss.

Jansen entered the ninth inning protecting a 6-5 lead, and the Cardinals jumped on him immediately. After Lars Nootbaar tied the game with an RBI single, Jansen served up a go-ahead, two-run shot to Nolan Gorman. Jansen had allowed just one run through 11.2 innings before Friday's meltdown caused his ERA to jump to 3.09. After converting his first six save chances, he's blown two of his last five.