MLB Player News

Sears didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

The rookie southpaw came up just short of a quality start in his first MLB start, tossing 54 of 93 pitches for strikes and exiting the mound in line for his first victory, only to see the Detroit bullpen stumble in a 10-inning loss. Sears got tagged for five runs in four innings during his first appearance in late August, but over his last two outings he's delivered a 1.08 ERA and 5:2 K:BB in 8.1 frames. With the Tigers' playoff hopes looking very dim after the team was swept in the twin bill, Sears could get additional looks in the rotation once the team shifts its focus to 2027.

Hader struck out all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.

Hader was dominant after being handed a two-run lead in the ninth inning, striking out all three batters he faced to close out the game on 16 pitches (11 strikes). It was his 23rd save of the season and this outing lowered his ERA to 0.70. More notably, it was the 250th save of Hader's career, making him the sixth active pitcher and 41st in MLB history to reach the milestone. This also extended his run of scoreless outings to 20, and he's posted a 24:3 K:BB across 21 innings over that stretch.

Assad will be recalled from Triple-A Iowa to start Saturday's game against the Marlins, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Assad will toe the rubber opposite Ryan Gusto as he returns for his 23rd appearance and 11th start for the big-league club this season. The 29-year-old Assad has put up an impressive 3.46 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in his 83.1 innings in the majors this season and threw 5.1 innings of one-run ball in his most recent start for Iowa on Aug. 30. With a strong showing Saturday, Assad could end up sticking in the Chicago rotation as the fifth starter over David Peterson.

Harris walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Mariners.

Harris picked up his second save in as many days, perhaps signaling a shift in momentum back in his favor after Elvis Alvarado saw more save chances in late August. Harris is on a 6.2-inning scoreless streak with a 10:3 K:BB in that span. For the year, he's posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 82:38 K:BB through 61.1 innings while adding 15 saves, 12 holds and six blown saves. Whether he's closing or setting up, Harris looks to be a lock for late-inning work.

Morris allowed five runs on five hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out none over 2.2 innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Mariners.

After a decent first inning, Morris gave up five runs over the next two frames before Brady Basso was brought in to clean up the mess. In his two starts this season, Morris has given up a total of 14 runs over 6.2 innings, though he hasn't been all that effective in a multi-inning relief role either. The Athletics are well out of the playoff race, so Morris may still get a few more opportunities down the stretch, but with a 10.90 ERA across 17.1 innings, he's unlikely to do much to help in fantasy.

Dreyer allowed one hit and struck out one without being charged for a run over one inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Nationals.

Seth Halvorsen was sloppy in a non-save situation, and Dreyer subsequently allowed two inherited runners to score before ending the threat. Since the start of August, Dreyer has allowed three runs on eight hits and eight walks while striking out 17 over 12.1 innings. He has earned two saves and three holds with a blown save and a 1-1 record in that span. Dreyer is at a 2.88 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 67:20 K:BB through 56.1 innings this season, filling a versatile role in a bullpen that has dealt with a number of injuries.

Iglesias secured the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Phillies, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Iglesias entered Friday having logged just one punchout over his last four outings, but he opened the ninth inning by striking out the first two batters he faced before closing things out by getting Brandon Marsh to foul out to third. Iglesias is up to 30 saves in 2026, marking the sixth time he's recorded at least 30 saves in a season in his major-league career. He has a 2.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB over 52 innings this season.

Montgomery came away with the save in Friday's 1-0 win over the Angels, allowing one hit while striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Friday's contest turned out to be a pitchers' duel between Jared Jones and Ryan Johnson, with Montgomery being called in for the ninth inning to protect Pittsburgh's one-run lead. He worked around a Mike Trout single to retire the side, finishing things off by getting Travis d'Arnaud to strike out looking. Montgomery has logged a save in back-to-back outings and is up to nine on the year with a 2.91 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 58.2 innings. He has not allowed an earned run since July 26.

Manager Kevin Cash said after Friday's win over the Rangers that Baker was removed from the game due to an illness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

"Nothing physical," Cash stressed, which is music to the ears of Baker's fantasy managers. Baker walked both batters he faced before being removed from a save situation Friday. He leads the majors in saves with 39 this season.

Chapman earned the save in Friday's 1-0 win over Baltimore, striking out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning.

Friday's AL East clash was a low-scoring affair, and Chapman was brought out for a second consecutive night to secure the win for Boston. The veteran southpaw needed 11 pitches (six strikes) to get through the frame, striking out Gunnar Henderson in the process for his 32nd save of the season, matching his total from the 2025 regular season. Chapman has a 1.89 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB over 19 innings since the All-Star break, securing 13 saves in the process.