MLB Player News

Howard gave up six earned runs on four hits and two walks while recording only two outs in Friday's 11-10 win over the Indians.

He surrendered a grand slam to Cesar Hernandez in his worst outing of 2021. Howard threw only 18 of 33 pitches for strikes, leading to his struggles. The lefty had compiled a 2.45 ERA and nine holds in 25.2 innings prior to Friday but saw his earned-run average jump nearly two runs to 4.44 after Friday's blowup.

Alzolay (finger) will start Monday's game against Cleveland, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay has been on the injured list since June 8 due to a blister on his right middle finger, but he's been throwing this week. As long as he doesn't experience any setbacks in the coming days, the right-hander will return to the mound for Monday's series opener.

Diaz was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to serve as the 27th man in Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Diaz was sent to the minors at the end of May, but he'll be available as bullpen depth in Saturday's twin bill. He's made five relief appearances since returning to Triple-A and has posted a 4.26 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 6.1 innings.

Santillan (0-1) pitched only three innings while taking the loss in Friday's defeat to the Padres, allowing three runs on four hits, including two homers. He walked one and struck out three. He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the fourth inning with the Reds trying to tie the game with two outs.

Manager David Bell went with the quick hook in this one to tie the game up, but it didn't work out, and then the Reds' bullpen got pounded for five runs afterward.

Mejia (1-2) took the loss in Friday's 11-10 defeat at the hands of the Pirates, coughing up six runs on seven hits over five innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

Starting on only three days rest, Mejia certainly didn't look very fresh when Pittsburgh ambushed him for five runs in the first inning. The rookie right-hander was able to steady the ship after that, however, and wound up giving Cleveland his longest outing so far in the majors. Mejia's 6.11 ERA isn't reflected in his 3.67 FIP, and his 1.25 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 17.2 innings are solid. Injuries will keep him in the rotation despite this rough outing.

Scott walked one and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Friday's 7-1 win over Toronto.

Scott has allowed just three hits and four walks across his last eight innings, and he's struck out 16 in that span. After a shaky start to the year, he's found success in limiting baserunners recently. He has a 2.73 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 39:21 K:BB and 12 holds across 26.1 innings overall. Scott will likely remain in a high-leverage role, although Baltimore's poor performance as a team has limited those opportunities.

Harvey struck out two in a perfect inning to earn a hold in Friday's 7-1 win over Toronto.

The right-hander preserved a one-run lead in the top of the eighth inning before Baltimore rallied for five runs in its half of the frame. The hold was Harvey's first of the season. It remains to be seen if he'll get any save chances, although Baltimore's 23-46 record hasn't presented many closing opportunities. Harvey has pitched well with a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 4:1 K:BB across 6.2 innings since he returned from a left oblique strain.

Sborz (3-3) allowed three runs (two earned) on a hit and three walks while striking out two in two-thirds of an inning Friday. He took the extra-inning loss versus Minnesota.

Sborz allowed the initial runner to score on a Luis Arraez triple, then loaded the bases and walked in a run. Demarcus Evans also allowed an inherited runner to score before escaping the jam. Sborz has allowed nine runs (eight earned) in 7.1 innings across his last nine outings. He has a 4.94 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 38:12 K:BB across 27.1 innings overall with a save, two holds and three blown saves.

Jansen pitched a perfect inning to notch the save in Friday's win over the Diamondbacks.

The veteran closer didn't fan any batters in the outing, but he threw 10 of 13 pitches for strikes and had little trouble setting down all three hitters he faced. Since blowing a save due to an unearned run against the Cubs on May 5, Jansen has held opponents scoreless in 15 of 16 appearances and has gone a perfect 12-for-12 in save opportunities. His overall 1.57 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and .101 BAA on the season leave little doubt that Jansen remains one of the game's elite closers.

Robles (3-3) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the extra-inning win Friday versus Texas.

Robles pitched the ninth inning of a tied game and kept it that way. Minnesota's offense rallied for the lead in the 10th to make him the pitcher of record when Tyler Duffey locked down the save. Robles has a 2.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 32:19 K:BB across 30.2 innings this year. He's collected five saves, 11 holds and two blown saves while sharing closing duties with Taylor Rogers, who logged a perfect eighth inning Friday.