MLB Player News

Davidson tossed two-thirds of an inning against Texas on Saturday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and one walk.

The game wasn't completely out of reach for the Angels when Davidson entered in the ninth inning, as they were down 3-0 at the time. By the end of the frame, the team had deployed position player Brett Phillips to the mound after Davidson allowed seven straight batters to reach base with two outs. Five of those came around to score while the the southpaw was in the contest, and two more crossed the plate after he departed, resulting in an unsightly seven runs charged to his final tally. Davidson entered Saturday with a 2.25 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over seven appearances -- those numbers are now 5.94 and 1.62, respectively.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Smith will remain pitching in high-leverage situations following Friday's blown save, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

In Smith's first appearance after he was anointed as the team's closer -- taking over for Jose Leclerc -- the left-hander was rocked by the Angels in Friday's 5-4 extra-inning loss. However, Smith retains the confidence of the manager, who's seen the bullpen during a 13-game stretch either blow a lead or turn a tied game into a deficit in the seventh inning or later six times. There aren't many dependable arms for Bochy to choose from to close out games, so Smith should be safe.

Chafin allowed three runs and an inherited runner to score on four hits and picked up a blown save in Saturday's 8-7 win over Washington.

Chafin was part of a bullpen implosion that let a 6-2 lead entering the ninth inning slip away. Fortunately for Arizona's closer, Chafin avoided the loss when his teammates mounted their own comeback in the bottom of the frame. The left-hander, who's converted five of seven save chances, has pitched better (2.50 SIERA, 2.36 xFIP) than his 4.26 ERA suggests.

Finnegan (1-2) took the loss and blew the save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks over one-third of an inning.

Washington mounted an impressive ninth-inning comeback Saturday, scoring five runs in the top of the frame to take a 7-6 lead. However, Finnegan couldn't close the door on Arizona, serving up a leadoff homer to Lourdes Gurriel and retiring just one batter before the winning run crossed the plate. Finnegan's problems were largely due to his lack of control -- he threw just eight of 17 pitches for a strike and walked three batters (one intentionally), with the final blow being a walkoff free pass issued to Pavin Smith. The outing lifted Finnegan's season ERA to an ugly 6.75, though he likely has some cushion as the team's closer since he has converted seven of nine opportunities on the campaign. The right-hander has had two bad blow-ups this season (including Saturday's), but in his other 13 appearances he's posted a 2.13 ERA over 12.2 frames.

Jansen allowed one hit and struck out one batter in a scoreless inning against the Phillies on Saturday to earn a save.

Jansen appears to be past a back injury that sidelined him late last week and into the beginning of this week, as he pitched for the second straight day Saturday. The veteran closer was sharp against Philadelphia, throwing 11 of 14 pitches for a strike and allowing just an infield single. Jansen has been dominant in his first season with Boston, allowing only one earned run and posting a 16:4 K:BB over 10.2 innings while converting eight of nine save chances. He's now at 399 saves for his career -- with his next one, he'll become the seventh pitcher in MLB history to reach 400.

Montero (0-1) allowed four earned runs on three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Saturday against the Mariners.

Montero was tasked with protecting a three-run lead in the eighth inning, and he retired the first two batters he faced. However, he allowed the next four batters he faced to reach base -- two of which were on infield singles -- to suffer the ugly line and his first loss of the campaign. Montero has otherwise been solid, as he had turned in scoreless appearances in 10 of his 14 previous opportunities.

Iglesias picked up a save against the Orioles on Saturday with a perfect inning during which he struck out two batters.

Iglesias was reinstated from the injured list Friday and didn't have to wait long for his first save opportunity. The right-hander got the ninth inning in his season debut Saturday and protected a one-run lead with aplomb, throwing 10 of 13 pitches for a strike and fanning the first two batters he faced. A.J. Minter -- who filled as Atlanta's closer while Iglesias was out of commission -- handled the eighth inning and got the win Saturday, which is a further indication that Iglesias will likely have closing duties to himself moving forward.

Gallegos (1-2) allowed an unearned run on three hits and struck out one without walking a batter in two innings, taking the extra-inning loss Saturday versus the Tigers.

Gallegos was bailed out by a double play in the ninth inning, but he didn't have the same luck when Akil Baddoo hit an RBI double in the 10th. Ryan Helsley (knee) was unavailable Saturday, which likely factored in the decision to give Gallegos multiple innings in this appearance. Over his last four outings, the right-hander has surrendered five runs (four earned) and taken two losses over 4.1 innings. He's at a 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB through 12.2 frames this season. If Helsley's knee issue requires more than just a couple of days, Gallegos would likely get a look for save opportunities despite his poor pitching recently.

Johnson gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his fifth save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Mets.

Daniel Bard is being eased back into action after returning to the bullpen Wednesday, allowing Johnson to continue serving as the Rockies' closer for the time being. The 31-year-old righty has an 8.10 ERA at home but a 1.35 mark on the road after Saturday's appearance, and he's a perfect 5-for-5 on save chances with a 20:8 K:BB through 13.1 innings. Even if Bard does take back ninth-inning duties in the near future, Johnson should remain in a high-leverage role for Colorado.

Phillips walked one and struck out three to earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Padres.

Phillips went six days between appearances, but he didn't have much rust. The right-hander extended his scoreless streak to seven innings, and he has two saves and two holds in that span. He's part of the Dodgers' high-leverage mix, and it's important to note that Brusdar Graterol was deployed in the eighth inning, allowing a run while facing the top of the Padres' order. Phillips owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB over 11 innings this season while picking up four saves and two holds.