MLB Player News

Ottavino allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Rockies.

This was Ottavino's second save in as many appearances. Edwin Diaz was likely unavailable Saturday after pitching each of the last two days, allowing the save chance to fall to Ottavino, who also earned a save Thursday when Diaz was deployed in the eighth inning and earned a hold. Ottavino has earned high-leverage opportunities -- he hasn't allowed more than one run in any appearance since May 4. In that span, he's given up a single run on five occasions in his last 41 outings. For the season, he's pitched to a 2.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 61:14 K:BB through 51.2 innings while adding two saves, 17 holds, three blown saves and a 5-2 record as a setup man.

Helsley (8-1) earned the win during Saturday's 6-5 victory over Atlanta, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

After being sidelined since Aug. 19 due to personal reasons, Helsley was deployed to pitch the ninth inning with a one-run deficit and became the victor when St. Louis walked it off in the bottom of the frame. The 28-year-old wasted no time getting back into the groove by striking out two on just 11 pitches and remains one of the best relievers in the game with a 0.89 ERA and 0.65 WHIP.

Bautista struck out three without allowing a baserunner in 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Astros.

Bautista peppered the strike zone, throwing 13 of his 15 pitches for strikes and inducing an impressive six whiffs. It's his third straight appearance of more than one inning -- he's struck out eight with one hit-by-pitch and no hits or walks allowed through five innings in that span. He's now collected eight saves since ascending to the closer role full-time, and the hard-throwing righty has 10 saves in 57 innings across 57 appearances. He's pitched to a stellar 1.58 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 76:16 K:BB.

Kelly left Saturday's appearance with a bruised left knee, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Kelly was forced to exit after getting hit by a comebacker off the bat of Jake McCarthy with no outs in the top of the ninth. He left with the bases loaded and was ultimately charged with three earned runs. The X-rays came back negative on the right-hander's knee and he's considered day-to-day moving forward.

Pruitt's contract was selected by the Athletics on Saturday.

Pruitt was designated for assignment Monday, but he's back again just five days later after Dany Jimenez hit the 60-day injured list with a strained right shoulder. Pruitt owns a 4.78 ERA in 37.2 innings this season, so he's unlikely to pitch in a high-leverage role.

Jimenez was placed on the 60-day injured list Saturday with a right shoulder srain.

Jimenez last pitched Wednesday versus the Marlins and apparently left the appearance a little worse for wear, as his move to the 60-day IL with the strained shoulder ensures he'll miss the rest of the season. He finishes the 2022 campaign with a 3.41 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 34 strikeouts, 11 saves and four holds over 34.1 innings in 34 appearances with the Athletics. Austin Pruitt had his contract selected from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday and will replace Jimenez in Oakland's bullpen.

Chapman was placed on the injured list Saturday with an infection in his leg, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

The issue reportedly stemmed from a tattoo Chapman received. Chapman hasn't pitched in over a week and allowed three runs while walking four batters in his last two appearances, though it's unclear exactly when the problem started bothering him. The back of the Yankees' bullpen is quite beat up at the moment, with Clay Holmes (back) and Scott Effross (shoulder) also out, though Holmes should return Monday and now seemingly has a clearer path to reclaiming closer duties. Lou Trivino or Jonathan Loaisiga could be candidates to record a save over the weekend.

Junis said Tuesday that he's dealing with a "tiny" fracture on the palm of his left hand, but he's feeling significantly better since exiting his last start Aug. 21 against the Rockies and plans to take the hill Sunday in Minnesota, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Junis exited the Aug. 21 start after taking a line drive off the base of his glove and near the bottom of his non-pitching hand, with the 29-year-old being diagnosed with a hairline fracture of his palm. Fortunately for Junis, the injury doesn't look like it'll be anything that forces him to the injured list, as the Giants already list him as their probable starter for Sunday's contest. He'll carry a 3.58 ERA and 1.10 WHIP into his 17th appearance and 14th start of the campagin.

Jurado (undisclosed) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list at Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Jurado hasn't pitched in the minors since Aug. 12, but he should be available for the final month of the regular season. Over 10 appearances (four starts) at St. Paul this year, he's posted a 5.03 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 34 innings.

Bummer (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Bummer has been throwing off a mound over the last several weeks and will now return to game action with the minor-league club. The southpaw expects to be at Charlotte for approximately a week, which would likely put him on track to rejoin the White Sox at some point during their road trip in Seattle that begins Sept. 5.