MLB Player News

Diaz struck out two in a perfect seventh inning Tuesday to record his 27th save of the season in the second game of a doubleheader against the Marlins.

The 27-year-old hasn't blown a save since July 19, posting a stellar 1.20 ERA. 0.60 WHIP and 21:3 K:BB over his last 15 innings while racking up eight saves. When Diaz is locked in, there are few better closers in baseball, but the Mets will need him to stay focused in September if they're going to climb back into the playoff picture.

Kittredge struck out two and did not issue a hit or a walk over two-thirds of an inning as he picked up the save in an 8-5 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Kittredge wasn't needed immediately heading into the ninth with the Rays comfortably leading 8-3, but things changed quickly after Dietrich Enns allowed four straight hitters to reach and two to score before with one out. Kittredge was called upon to prevent any further damage and fanned the only two batters he faced. The Rays haven't gone with a set closer all year long, but Kittredge has been excellent with a 1.31 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 69:14 K:BB over 62 innings and figures to continue in the mix for high-leverage opportunities.

Yarbrough (8-4) allowed two runs on five hits and no walks while striking out three over six innings to record the win over the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Yarbrough didn't start off too well after allowing a first-inning run, but he would settle in thereafter and hold the Red Sox scoreless until Kyle Schwarber took him deep in the sixth for a solo home run. Tuesday's performance was a major relief for the southpaw, as he'd previously struggled mightily against the division rivals this season while allowing 16 earned runs on 18 hits over 12 innings. Tuesday marked the third time in his last four starts Yarbrough managed to not issue a walk, and it's just the second time since the beginning of July he's managed to pitch at least six innings. The 29-year-old now owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 104:23 K:BB over 134 innings and tentatively lines up for a rematch with Boston on Monday.

Sulser struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The 31-year-old remains the top closing option in the O's bullpen by default, but Tuesday's save was Sulser's only one in August. On the season, he sports a 3.12 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 63:21 K:BB through 49 innings.

Akin (2-8) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Blue Jays, allowing one run on two hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

Aside from a third-inning solo shot by Danny Jansen, Akin kept the dangerous Toronto lineup in check for 85 pitches (53 strikes). The 26-year-old southpaw seems to be turning his season around, posting a 2.65 ERA and 1.06 WHIP through 17 innings over his last three starts, but a 4.2 BB/9 and 2.1 HR/9 during that stretch suggest those strong ratios could be a mirage.

Iglesias fired a perfect ninth inning while striking out two to earn the save in the win over the Yankees on Tuesday.

Iglesias entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead and retired the side to collect his second save in as many days against the Yankees. The 31-year-old totaled seven saves in August, tied for third in all of baseball. He allowed just one run in that stretch. His ERA and WHIP are down to 2.70 and 0.83, respectively, and he boasts 91 strikeouts in 60 innings this season.

Herget (1-1) fired 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out two to earn the win over the Yankees on Tuesday.

Herget made his first appearance with the Angels on Tuesday after being called him up from Triple-A Salt Lake. He managed to earn the win after relieving Jaime Barria in the fifth inning. The 27-year-old has just 5.2 innings in MLB under his belt this season, all coming in August.

Barria allowed two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two across 4.2 innings in the win over the Yankees on Tuesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Barria's 4.2 innings was the deepest outing he's had in his past four starts. He surrendered a pair of solo home runs, one by Anthony Rizzo and the other by Gary Sanchez. The 24-year-old has a 5.40 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with a low 4.9 K/9 in 38.1 innings this season.

Melancon earned the save over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, allowing two hits while striking out three over one scoreless inning.

Blake Snell pitched seven no-hit innings and Pierce Johnson followed with a scoreless frame to get the ball to Melancon with a three-run, ninth-inning lead. The veteran closer made things interesting, allowing a pair of two-out singles to bring the tying run to the plate, but he was able to shut the door by striking out Pavin Smith. Melancon hasn't allowed a run over his past 9.1 innings, converting all four of his save chances over that span. His 36 saves on the campaign lead MLB.

Graveman (5-1) took the loss in Tuesday's 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Mariners, allowing four runs on two hits and a walk while recording his only out via strikeout.

Graveman entered a scoreless game in the eighth and permitted a walk, strikeout, single and hit a batter before serving up a go-ahead grand slam to Abraham Toro -- the player Houston gave up to acquire Graveman. The four runs allowed on the one swing are only one less than the five he had surrendered all season prior to Tuesday, and as a result the 30-year-old's ERA jumped from 1.00 to 1.79. However, one blowup outing shouldn't alter Graveman's role in Houston's bullpen moving forward.