MLB Player News

Petersen could be part of a closing committee for the Marlins if Pete Fairbanks (hand) requires another IL stint, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Fairbanks left Monday's game with a recurrence of a nerve issue in his pitching hand, a condition which first landed him on the IL in late April. Petersen, who leads Miami with 22 holds on the season, figures to be in the mix for closing opportunities in Fairbanks' absence, along with Calvin Faucher and Josh Ekness. "I think we'll just go into each day with -- on the pitching side -- what we have available and kind of what we can ask of them, and where we think it's the best place to go put guys," manager Clayton McCullough said after Monday's game. "[The] good thing is that a number of our guys have experienced pitching in a lot of different spots. So I think we'll just lean on that and go out there with the ones that we have available each day."

Ekness could be part of a closing committee for the Marlins if Pete Fairbanks (hand) requires another IL stint, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Fairbanks left Monday's game with a recurrence of a nerve issue in his pitching hand, a condition which first landed him on the IL in late April. Ekness, who worked the eighth inning Monday but got charged with a blown save after allowing the tying run in an eventual 4-2 loss to the Red Sox, figures to be in the mix for closing opportunities in Fairbanks' absence, along with Michael Petersen and Calvin Faucher. "I think we'll just go into each day with -- on the pitching side -- what we have available and kind of what we can ask of them, and where we think it's the best place to go put guys," manager Clayton McCullough said after Monday's game. "[The] good thing is that a number of our guys have experienced pitching in a lot of different spots. So I think we'll just lean on that and go out there with the ones that we have available each day." Through his first 15 appearances and 16 big-league innings this season, Ekness has a 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB with one win, one save and one hold.

Zuber gave up a run on two hits in one-third of an inning during Monday's loss to the Red Sox.

Summoned from the bullpen with one on and nobody out in the ninth inning of a 2-2 tie after Pete Fairbanks (hand) had to exit the game, Zuber allowed the inherited runner to score on an Anthony Seigler triple before Nick Sogard added an RBI single. Fairbanks seems likely to head back to the IL due to a recurrence of a nerve issue in his pitching hand, but Zuber would likely be behind Josh Ekness, Michael Petersen and Calvin Faucher in the pecking order for save chances should that happen. On the season, Zuber's posted a 3.62 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB over 27.1 innings with two wins, six holds and one save in 31 appearances.

The Dodgers optioned Gervase to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

Gervase was promoted Friday but did not make an appearance during his brief time with the big club. He's clearing off the roster to make room for the return of Tyler Glasnow (back), who will start Tuesday's game versus Atlanta.

Morris picked up the save Monday against the Athletics, retiring the lone batter he faced.

After Yoendrys Gomez was tagged for four runs without finishing the ninth inning, Morris was called upon to record the final out and did so to secure his fourth save. It marked the 24-year-old's first save since July 12, as Gomez has settled in as the primary closer for the Twins. On the year, Morris owns a 3.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 56:22 K:BB across 60.2 innings.

Ramirez earned a save against the Padres on Monday by striking out all three batters he faced in the 12th inning.

With primary closer Mason Montgomery as well as top setup man Luke Weaver having pitched earlier in the game, manager Don Kelly turned to Ramirez after Pittsburgh took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 12th frame. The righty reliever performed in dominant fashion, striking out the side on 17 total pitches. It was the second save of the season for Ramirez and the ninth of his seven-year MLB career. Montgomery has been outstanding of late and is in no danger of losing his closer role, so fantasy managers in need of saves need not speculate on Ramirez getting many (if any) final-inning chances moving forward.

Smith gave up one run on one hit while striking out one batter over one inning to earn a save against the Angels on Monday.

Smith entered in the ninth frame with Cleveland up by three runs. He hit the first batter he faced with a pitch, and then gave up a one-out single followed by a sacrifice fly to surrender a run. However, Smith was able to get Christian Moore to fly out to end the contest. It was the second straight outing during which Smith has allowed a run, but he's been able to record a save in both instances. The right-hander moved into sole possession of second place in MLB with 34 saves, and he's supported that mark with a 2.44 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 82:20 K:BB over 59 innings spanning 56 appearances this season.

Holderman (wrist) struck out three batters and allowed two hits and two walks over two scoreless innings between his last two relief appearances Friday in Colorado and Monday in Anaheim.

Holderman was lifted early during a Aug. 15 relief outing versus Padres due to right wrist inflammation, but he was available to pitch a few days later. He looked particularly sharp in Monday's 4-2 win over the Angels, collecting his 11th hold of the season while striking out three of the four batters he faced. The right-hander owns a 2.29 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and one save over 51 innings this season.

The Rangers announced Aug. 12 that Garcia (shoulder) is expected to resume throwing off a mound soon, MLB.com reports.

Nearly two weeks have passed since that update, but it's unclear whether Garcia has been able to take the next step in his throwing progression by getting back on a mound. Garcia has had an uncommonly slow recovery from an injury that the Rangers have labeled as left rotator cuff inflammation. He's been on the shelf since April 23 and has had to pause his throwing program on multiple occasions after experiencing continued discomfort while playing catch.

Phillips will start Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Phillips was deployed as a reliever in his last appearance Aug. 18 against the Phillies, but he'll work as a starter Tuesday as the Marlins look to bounce back from a loss in the series opener. The 28-year-old has been a solid option for the Marlins over his last eight outings, posting a 3.98 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with a 27:10 K:BB across 31.2 frames.