MLB Player News

Junis registered a no-decision during Tuesday's 2-1 win against Arizona, allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

Junis engaged in an unlikely pitcher's duel with opposing starter Merrill Kelly and appeared to be done in by a Christian Walker solo shot in the fourth inning until Brandon Crawford walked it off in the ninth to erase him from the ledger. The 29-year-old had his best stuff working with 16 swinging strikes on 101 pitches and fell one short of his season high with seven strikeouts. Aside from last week's blip, Junis has held opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last eight turns and possesses a solid 3.53 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 63 strikeouts in 71.1 innings. He currently lines up for another start this week Sunday in Colorado.

Kimbrel (3-5) took the loss and the blown save during Tuesday's 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Brewers, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out one in one-third of an inning.

Kimbrel was brought in for the bottom the 11th after Los Angeles took the lead in the top of the inning and struggled to find the zone, walking one and firing only 11 of 20 pitches for strikes. A leadoff Hunter Renfroe single and one-out Luis Urias walk set the stage for a two-run Victor Caratini single to saddle the 34-year-old with the blown save and loss on the same pitch. Kimbrel has struggled since the calendar turned to August, surrendering five total runs across 5.1 innings this month, including permitting runs in four of his last five appearances. It's track record over performance keeping Kimbrel in the closer role right now.

Winder (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Monday in Fort Myers, Fla., and was feeling well Tuesday, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Winder was placed on Triple-A St. Paul's 7-day injured list July 23 with right shoulder impingement syndrome. He hopes to return in September but he'll need to make a few rehab appearances in the lower levels of the minors prior to being activated.

Helsley (7-1) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Rockies.

Helsley kept the game tied in the top of the ninth inning, and the Cardinals won on a walkoff hit-by-pitch in their half of the frame. While he's allowed two runs in 7.1 innings in August, he's also picked up two wins and three saves with an 8:1 K:BB. The fact that this has been one of his poorer months speaks to how dominant the right-hander has been all year -- he owns a 0.91 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 72:13 K:BB with 12 saves and six holds through 49.2 innings overall.

Adam earned the save Tuesday, striking out two in 1.1 innings in a 3-1 victory over the Yankees.

Adam entered the game in the eighth inning with two outs and one on to face Aaron Judge and got the slugger to ground out. He then worked a perfect ninth, including fanning Anthony Rizzo and Jose Trevino. Adam has been called upon to finish out the last three ballgames for the Rays, saving Sunday's contest against Baltimore and finishing Monday's 4-0 victory over New York. His seven saves are tied for the team lead with Colin Poche and Brooks Raley.

Leiter pitched a scoreless 11th inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Nationals.

Chicago used five relievers before turning to Leiter, but he made the most of the opportunity with a lead and earned his first MLB save. The righty has quietly been pretty solid since getting recalled from Triple-A Iowa on July 30, recording a 1.46 ERA across 12.1 innings. Leiter is still more of a long reliever for the Cubs, so he shouldn't see regular save chances moving forward.

Barnes threw a perfect inning to pick up the save Tuesday against the Pirates. He struck out two.

The veteran reliever needed just 10 pitches to take care of the bottom of the Pirates' order and secure his third save of the season. This was his first save since returning from the IL in early August, as manager Alex Cora has turned to Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber for recent save opportunities. The Red Sox closer situation is murky at the moment with any of Whitlock, Schreiber and Barnes in contention for saves, but Barnes still figures to be third in line as he carries a subpar 6.45 ERA and 1.52 WHIP on the season.

Pivetta (9-9) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one hit and three walks over seven scoreless innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out six.

Pivetta cruised through the Pittsburgh lineup Tuesday, allowing just four runners on base in seven innings of work. This marks the first time the veteran righty has not allowed a run since June 4, as he brought his ERA down to 4.28 on the season. He tentatively lines up to face the Orioles in Baltimore this weekend.

Holmes said Tuesday he's been dealing with back spasms for the past couple days, and he may require a stint on the injured list, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander first had the issue crop over the weekend, and he experienced it again when throwing off a mound Tuesday. Holmes is set to rest and receive treatment, which is an indication he may require a stint on the 15-day IL. The 29-year-old's grip on the closer role was already slipping since he has surrendered seven runs and has three blown saves over his past five outings, and it now appears he'll be out for a couple weeks. Aroldis Chapman hasn't been scored upon in his past nine outings and is likely to reclaim ninth-inning duties if Holmes is out.

Hill (3-3) allowed one run on four hits across six innings to earn the win Tuesday against the Guardians. He walked two and struck out three.

Hill turned in his best effort since his MLB debut back on July 4, when he also allowed just one run across six innings. The righty hasn't been a big strikeout pitcher so far, with only 21 of them across 42.2 innings, so he'll have a smaller margin for error than most moving forward. However, Hill should stick in the rotation for the injury-riddled Tigers, who are missing all of Casey Mize, (elbow) Tarik Skubal (elbow), Beau Brieske (biceps), Michael Pineda (triceps) and Eduardo Rodriguez (personal), though Rodriguez could return soon. Hill is lined up to make his next start next week against the Giants.