MLB Player News

Luetge gave up three hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 2.1 scoreless innings to record his second save of the season in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins.

The southpaw entered the game in the seventh inning with the Yankees ahead 4-1, and Luetge needed only 30 pitches (19 strikes) to wrap things up, getting three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to make his job that much easier. The 35-year-old has been very effective lately in a long relief role, working more than one inning in seven of 11 appearances since the All-Star break and posting a 1.56 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 20:4 K:BB through 17.1 innings over that stretch.

Wilson didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, working six innings as a bulk reliever and giving up four runs on seven hits, including two home runs. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander entered the game in the second inning after Duane Underwood had spotted New York a 1-0 lead, and Wilson made the hole deeper by coughing up four more runs in the fourth. He's been charged with at least three earned runs in seven of eight appearances since the All-Star break, posting a 5.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 38.2 innings over that stretch.

Underwood (1-6) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up one run on two hits in one inning. He struck out one.

Working as the opener ahead of Bryse Wilson, Underwood wound up with the decision as the Pirates never tied things up and eventually lost 5-1. The right-hander has been tagged for runs in four straight appearances, and since the beginning of August he carries a 5.82 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and poor 11:8 K:BB through 17 innings.

Thompson (back) completed a live batting practice session Tuesday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Following the throwing session, Cubs manager David Ross reiterated that he wants to see the 27-year-old right-hander back on the mound this season, even though Thompson's 104.1 innings in 2022 have nearly doubled up his total from 2021. With that in mind, the Cubs are likely to keep a six-man rotation intact whenever Thompson and Justin Steele (back) are cleared to return from the 15-day injured list, and it's possible that both pitchers could have a turn or two skipped over the final month of the season. Before Thompson is activated, however, he'll likely first have to throw a simulated game or make a minor-league rehab start, which could happen as soon as this weekend.

Fairbanks picked up the save in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the Red Sox, allowing one walk while striking out two in the ninth inning.

Fairbanks has been dominant since making his season debut in mid-July, and he hasn't given up a run and has a 26:2 K:BB over his past 17 outings. The righty's 1.45 ERA and 0.70 WHIP this season would be career-best marks by a significant margin, and he'll remain in the mix for saves down the stretch for the Rays.

Pivetta (9-11) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over five innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out three.

Pivetta allowed two doubles -- one from Francisco Mejia and the other from Taylor Walls -- in addition to an RBI single from Walls with one out in the fifth. The righty has pitched six innings or more just twice in his last 12 starts. Pivetta's 4.29 ERA in 2022 isn't anything special but represents a career best in six major-league seasons.

Hendriks picked up the save in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Mariners and did not allow a baserunner while striking out three in the ninth inning.

Hendriks has converted on 22 of his last 23 save opportunities over his last 34 appearances. However, the 33-year-old had stumbled in the five outings prior to this one, allowing four runs on seven hits, though that resulted in only one blown save. Overall this year, the right-hander is 31-for-35 in save chances with a 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 72:12 K:BB across 49 innings

Mantiply allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Padres.

At a time when manager Torey Lovullo indicated the team's closer situation is "fluid," per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, Mantiply is experiencing his worst stretch of the season. The left-hander has allowed runs in five of his last eight outings, posting a 12.71 ERA while allowing two home runs over 5.2 innings.

Romano earned a save against the Orioles on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.

Toronto starter Alek Manoah was dominant in eight frames, and he turned it over to Romano in the ninth inning to hold a three-run lead. The All-Star closer did so easily, throwing 12 of 16 pitches for strikes and punching out a pair of batters en route to his 31st save of the campaign. That puts him into a tie for second place in the category, one behind Atlanta's Kenley Jansen.

Brogdon earned a save against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.

Brogdon entered in the ninth inning with Philadelphia up by two runs and immediately allowed the lead to be halved on a Jacob Stallings solo homer. He surrendered a single to the next batter but rebounded to retire the next three Marlins and secure the save. Seranthony Dominguez (triceps) is on the injured list and David Robertson threw 65 pitches over the past three days, which explains why Brogdon -- who had only one save coming into Wednesday -- was called upon to close. He isn't likely to see many more save opportunities moving forward.