MLB Player News

Kittredge worked a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Pirates, though it was Brad Keller who got the ninth and the save.

Keller earned a one-out save Monday and then received a more conventional opportunity a night later, with Kittredge working the seventh inning. Kittredge recorded the Cubs' first three saves after Daniel Palencia (shoulder) hit the injured list, but it appears that Keller is in the closer mix as well. That gives both veteran relievers a temporary boost in fantasy value, though it may be hard to predict who manager Craig Counsell will turn to in the ninth for any given contest. Kittredge has at least earned the opportunity for more high-leverage work, as he has a 2.89 ERA and 26 strikeouts across 18.2 innings with Chicago since joining the team at the trade deadline.

Smith (7-5) blew the save but picked up the win Tuesday, striking out two and giving up a solo home run in the ninth inning of a 7-5 extra-inning victory over the Tigers.

Called in to protect a 3-2 lead, Smith instead served up a game-tying homer to Kerry Carpenter, only for the Cleveland offense to erupt for four runs in the top of the 10th. It's the right-hander's first blown save since Aug. 22, ending a streak of eight straight successful conversions, and since taking over the closer role in late July he's posted a 3.38 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and eye-popping 33:2 K:BB in 24 innings while securing 12 of 16 save chances.

Cantillo didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Tigers, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The southpaw left the mound with the Guardians clinging to a 2-1 lead, but both bullpens struggled before the game was eventually decided in the 10th. Cantillo has given up one run or fewer in five straight starts, posting a stellar 1.21 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB over his last 29.2 innings. He's scheduled to make his next start on the road this weekend in Minnesota.

Harris logged a scoreless appearance while allowing one hit over 1.1 innings to pick up the save over the Red Sox on Tuesday. He did not strike out or walk a batter in the process.

Harris entered with a man on first and two outs in the eighth to face lefty Jarren Duran and was able to get out of the inning by picking off Nick Sogard. Hogan would allow a base knock in the ninth but closed out the game by inducing a double play. Dating back to Aug. 9, Harris has allowed just one run over 16.2 innings and has picked up three saves and two holds. The Athletics' closer job still remains a committee, however, between Harris, Sean Newcomb and even Michael Kelly, who just picked up his first career save Sunday.

Keller tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Pirates.

After recording a one-out save Tuesday, Keller converted a more conventional opportunity a night later, giving him three saves for the season. With Daniel Palencia (shoulder) on the injured list, it was Andrew Kittredge who converted Chicago's first three save opportunities, but Keller now has the last two, with Kittredge working the seventh inning Tuesday. Expect manager Craig Counsell to keep mixing and matching with his veteran relievers to close out games while Palencia is on the shelf, giving Keller a temporary boost in fantasy value.

Vest (6-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits across an inning of relief to take the loss in Tuesday's 7-5, 10-inning defeat to the Guardians.

After the Tigers forced extra innings on a Kerry Carpenter solo home run in the bottom of the ninth, Vest was tapped for the top of the 10th, and he ran into trouble right away. The veteran righty started the frame by allowing three doubles and a triple before recording any outs, giving Cleveland three quick runs. Vest had rattled off five straight scoreless appearances before Tuesday, and his ERA is still a tidy 2.91 overall, so the Detroit closer should be able to move past the rough performance and get back on track soon.

Iglesias recorded his 26th save of the season in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The right-hander continues to dominate down the stretch. Since his last blown save July 26, Iglesias has been scored upon only once, delivering a 0.41 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB in 22 innings while converting all 15 of his save chances.

Suarez (2-0) picked up the win in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out nine.

The nine Ks were a career high for Suarez, who was making his first big-league start of the season and first MLB appearance since April 10. The 27-year-old southpaw missed over two months this summer in the minors with an undisclosed injury, but in four appearances with Triple-A Gwinnett after being activated from the 7-day IL in late August he posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB over 20 innings, and he carried that momentum with him to the majors after his promotion. Suarez was originally brought up for a spot start in the twin bill, but after racking up a massive 21 swinging strikes on 99 pitches (65 total strikes) against the Nats, he may have earned one more turn through the rotation before the end of the season. Atlanta hasn't indicated whether its pitching plans will get shuffled to accommodate him, but with days off coming each of the last two Thursdays in September, the team has plenty of flexibility.

Bednar picked up the save Tuesday against the Twins. He allowed a solo homer while striking out one over an inning.

The right-hander surrendered a deep shot to Trevor Larnach with one out in the ninth inning but settled in to retire the next two batters, locking down a Yankees win and his 25th save. Since arriving at the deadline, Bednar has been solid in pinstripes, compiling a 2.75 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, eight saves, three wins and three blown saves across 17 outings.

Duran pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Dodgers.

Duran took a blown save Monday, but he was sharper Tuesday, throwing just 12 pitches (seven strikes) to retire the side. He's up to 31 saves on the year, 15 of which have come in a Phillies uniform since he was traded from the Twins. The closer has added a 1.88 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 75:19 K:BB through 67 innings between the two teams this season, with an even better 1.53 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over 17.2 innings for Philadelphia.