MLB Player News

Melancon pitched a clean ninth with one strikeout in a 4-2 triumph over Colorado on Friday.

The league's saves leader needed only eight pitches to retire the bottom of Colorado's order and earn yet another save. He's now pitched on consecutive days, which makes Melancon unlikely to appear Saturday.

Knehr pitched 3.2 innings in Friday's 4-2 win against Colorado, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts. He didn't factor into the decision.

Knehr was decent filling in for Blake Snell, though the start could've gone much worse. The rookie walked in a run with no outs in the second but was able to retire the next three Rockies before surrendering an RBI double to opposing starter Kyle Freeland, at which point he was removed in the fourth. He'll most likely return to the minors following the one-start cameo.

Loup (3-0) allowed a walk and struck out one in one inning Friday, earning the win over Pittsburgh.

The southpaw worked the sixth inning of a tied game, immediately following starter Taijuan Walker. Loup was the beneficiary of the Mets' offense exploding for 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead. The 33-year-old has been quite effective lately, allowing just one run in his last 13 innings while racking up a pair of wins and four holds. For the year, he has a 1.73 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 32:6 K:BB in 26 innings across 30 appearances.

Robles allowed one hit over 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out two and earning a save over the Tigers on Friday.

Robles worked around a two-out single in the ninth inning to finish off his ninth save of the season. He's picked up a save in each of his last two outings after he was crushed for a combined eight runs in his previous four appearances. He's converted nine of his 11 save chances this season with a 4.19 ERA.

Lopez (2-12) allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk with four strikeouts in four innings Friday, taking the loss in a 12-1 defeat against the White Sox.

The righty now has a stunning nine losses in his last 10 decisions. Lopez did fairly well in limiting the White Sox to a pair of runs, but he required 87 pitches to complete the four frames before turning things over to the Orioles' bullpen, which proceeded to give up 10 runs. He's lasted six innings on just three occasions this season, so his likelihood of tallying a quality start and earning a win are similarly low in a given outing. Lopez also strikes out less than a batter per inning -- combined with the other factors, that makes him an entirely unappealing fantasy option after the All-Star break.

Brentz (2-2) allowed a walkoff solo home run and recorded his only out via strikeout while taking the loss Friday versus Cleveland.

Brentz was called upon to get the last out of the eighth inning, and he fanned Franmil Reyes. In the ninth, Bobby Bradley took the southpaw deep for Cleveland's second straight walkoff win over Kansas City. Brentz has hit a rough patch, allowing eight runs (seven earned) in his last nine innings. He still has a solid 2.95 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB across 39.2 innings, but he may see more lower-leverage assignments until he works through his recent struggles.

Clase allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in one inning, taking a blown save in Friday's 2-1 win over Kansas City.

After seven shutout innings from starter Triston McKenzie, Kansas City got a solo home run from Jorge Soler off Clase in the eighth. It's been a shaky end to the first half for Clase, who has given up seven runs (four earned) in his last five innings while taking two blown saves and two losses. The homer he allowed Friday was the first he's given up all year. The hard-throwing righty has a 1.72 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB across 36.2 innings, but further inconsistency could lead to James Karinchak getting more of the save chances.

Karinchak (6-2) allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning Friday, earning the win over Kansas City.

The right-hander kept Kansas City off the board in the top of the ninth inning, and Bobby Bradley walked it off for Cleveland to earn Karinchak his second win in as many days. The 25-year-old has a 2.52 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB through 39.1 innings this season. Emmanuel Clase took a blown save in the eighth inning Friday -- Karinchak seems to have a slight edge for closing duties lately, although it's expected the pair of relievers will continue to share the role.

Junis was placed on the 7-day injured list with Triple-A Omaha on Friday due to an undisclosed injury, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Junis was optioned to Omaha on June 6 after struggling to a 5.19 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 15 innings for the Royals. Things haven't gotten better for the right-hander following his demotion, as he's allowed 11 earned runs on 19 hits across 10.1 Triple-A innings. It's unclear what the 28-year-old is dealing with, but he won't pitch for at least the next seven days.

Vesia was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

The lefty has posted a 1.00 ERA in nine innings of relief with the Triple-A squad after being sent down June 3. Vesia's work with the Dodgers earlier this season was less impressive, as he yielded seven runs, including three home runs, in just 10.2 innings. He'll fill the roster spot of Jimmy Nelson (back), who was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday.