MLB Player News

Mantiply allowed one run on two hits and one walk over a third of an inning in Monday's 4-3 win over the Giants.

Mantiply, Arizona's lone representative at the All-Star Game, appears to be the high-leverage reliever of choice for manager Torey Lovullo after Ian Kennedy (calf) landed on the injured list. Since Kennedy's addition to the IL, Mantiply has been called upon to work the eighth inning of a close game on three occasions. It hasn't gone well for the left-hander, who picked up a hold Monday but has allowed four runs on five hits and a walk over 2.2 innings. He was charged with a loss, letting an inherited runner score a game-winning run while being unable to finish the inning Monday. The walk was just the second Mantiply has allowed and first since Opening Day.

Melancon allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 4-3 win over the Giants.

Melancon hadn't logged a save since June 3, though that's been more a product of a lack of opportunities. Only Ian Kennedy (calf) has logged a save since Melancon's last conversion, and that came back on June 9. In his last 13 innings, Melancon has allowed six runs (five earned) with a 10:3 K:BB, two saves, a 2-2 record and a blown save. The veteran right-hander has trimmed his ERA to 5.04 with a 1.48 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 30.1 innings, and it appears he'll continue to maintain the closer job for the Diamondbacks, though save chances could remain sparse for the struggling team.

Rogers allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one in one inning to pick up the save in Monday's 6-5 win over the Rockies.

Rogers entered with a three-run lead, but he allowed a leadoff single to Randal Grichuk and a pair of two-out doubles to Connor Joe and Charlie Blackmon, which trimmed the lead to one. Rogers was able to get C.J. Cron to ground out, but it was another shaky outing from the Padres' closer. He's given up at least one run in five straight outings, blowing two of four save chances in that span. Rogers has yielded seven runs in his last 5.2 innings, inflating his season ERA to 4.04 with a 1.04 WHIP and 41:7 K:BB through 35.2 innings. Manager Bob Melvin appears willing to let Rogers pitch through his struggles -- Nick Martinez has three saves since mid-June, but all of those have been of the three-inning variety, so he's not expected to be a threat for the closer role.

Manaea (4-4) earned the win Monday over the Rockies. He allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in 6.1 innings.

Manaea gave up a sacrifice fly to C.J. Cron and a solo home run to Randal Grichuk. That was all the damage on Manaea's line, making this an encouraging bounce-back effort after he lasted just 3.1 innings in a loss to the Mariners last Monday. The southpaw has 12 quality starts in 16 outings, and he owns a 4.09 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 97:36 K:BB across 94.2 innings this season. He's projected for one more start before the All-Star break, which would be a home date against the Diamondbacks this weekend.

Martinez (2-2) allowed six runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 4.1 innings, taking the loss Monday versus the Rangers.

Since rejoining the Athletics in late June, Martinez has two bad starts and one good one. Monday was a struggle, as he had two wild pitches and a balk lead to two runs in the second inning. The Rangers' got to him for three more runs in the fourth and another in the fifth before he exited the contest. With only a tenuous grasp on a rotation spot, Martinez can't afford much inconsistency. He's posted a 6.52 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 19.1 innings this year. If Frankie Montas (shoulder) returns during the upcoming three-game series versus the Astros, it's unclear if Martinez will make another start before the All-Star break. His turn would come up Sunday if he stays in the rotation.

Martin allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 10-8 win over the Athletics.

Martin made it a bit interesting by putting two runners on with two outs, but he struck out Chad Pinder to end the threat. All three of Martin's saves this year have come in his last three appearances, and he has a 3.2-inning scoreless streak. With Joe Barlow out of the closer role, it appears Martin has gotten the first look at the bulk of the ninth-inning duties. Dennis Santana and Matt Bush are also expected to get save chances based on matchups, but Martin's made the most of his opportunity with effective results so far. The southpaw owns a 2.89 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB through 28 innings this season.

Howard (1-1) earned the win Monday over the Athletics. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and struck out one over five innings.

Howard got through three innings without trouble, then allowed an RBI single to Seth Brown in the fourth and a solo home run to Sheldon Neuse in the fifth. The Athletics rallied late against the Rangers' bullpen, but Brett Martin closed it out to earn Howard his first win in five appearances this year. Howard allowed four runs in four innings in his previous start, so this was a marked improvement for the right-hander. He still has an 8.04 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB through 15.2 innings, but with Dane Dunning (ankle) landing on the injured list, Howard should get an extended look in the rotation. He's lined up for a weekend home start versus the Mariners.

Zerpa (1-0) allowed one hit across two scoreless innings to earn the win in the second game of Monday's doubleheader versus the Tigers. He recorded zero strikeouts and zero walks.

Zerpa hadn't pitched above the Double-A level this season, but he was able to hold his own against major-league hitters in just his second career appearance with the Royals. For his efforts, he was awarded the win after Daniel Lynch (finger) went only four innings and wasn't eligible for the decision. Zerpa has a 4.36 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 69:21 K:BB in 64 innings across 13 starts with Northwest Arkansas this year, and it's expected he'll return to the Double-A club Tuesday after being designated the 27th man for Monday's doubleheader.

Alexander, who allowed one run across 3.1 innings of relief in Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the Royals, has a 1.06 ERA across his last eight appearances.

The run actually snapped a streak of six straight scoreless outings for Alexander. The lefty has allowed just two runs across 17 innings since returning from the injured list June 13. He's still working in a long-relief role for the time being, but the Tigers could give Alexander a shot in the rotation at some point, as he made 15 starts a season ago. The team currently has Tarik Skubal, Beau Brieske, Michael Pineda and Drew Hutchison as healthy starters on the roster, with Alex Faedo optioned to Triple-A following his start in Monday's nightcap.

De Los Santos walked one batter over 1.1 innings in Monday's win over Miami. He struck out four and earned a save.

De Los Santos mowed through the Marlins lineup, striking out four of the six batters he faced, including the final three. It was the most strikeouts he's produced in a big-league outing and he's now converted saves in three of his last four outings. The 24-year-old righty lowered his season ERA to 2.81 with a 19:5 K:BB through 15 appearances. It's worth noting that regular closer David Bednar had pitched three of the past four days.