-
JoJo Romero RP | MIL
Cardinals' JoJo Romero: Secures first save
Romero allowed one run on two hits and one walk over 1.1 innings to earn the save Saturday against the Padres. He did not record a strikeout.
The left-hander recorded the final out of the eighth inning and returned for the ninth to notch St. Louis' first save since trading former closer Ryan Helsley, though Romero didn't have his cleanest performance. Still, the 29-year-old has been a reliable high-leverage option this season, with Saturday's earned run being the first he's given up since June 26. Riley O'Brien and Gordon Graceffo could also be in the mix for saves, but it's notable that Romero received the first opportunity.
-
Caleb Thielbar RP | CHC
Cubs' Caleb Thielbar: Serves up winning home run
Thielbar (2-3) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while retiring only two batters to take the loss in Saturday's 4-3 defeat to the Orioles.
After seven scoreless innings from starter Matthew Boyd, relievers Ryan Brasier and Thielbar coughed up the lead in the eighth. The key play was a three-run home run by Gunnar Henderson off Thielbar, which saddled the veteran lefty with the loss. Thielbar still has a strong 2.36 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 42 innings this season, and he should remain a key piece of Chicago's bullpen despite the hiccup.
-
Calvin Faucher RP | MIA
Marlins' Calvin Faucher: Notches 11th save
Faucher earned a save against the Yankees on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.
The Marlins led 2-0 when Faucher entered in the ninth frame, and he preserved the shutout by retiring the side in order on 12 pitches. Miami's bullpen hierarchy has been difficult to nail down for much of the season, but it appears Faucher could be settling into the closer role -- he's picked up three of the team's past four saves, with the only save that went to another pitcher during that span being a four-inning conversion by Tyler Phillips. Faucher has earned the confidence of manager Clayton McCullough by giving up just two runs over 10.2 frames while posting a 13:4 K:BB across 10 appearances since the start of July.
-
J.T. Ginn SP | ATH
Athletics' J.T. Ginn: Walks five in loss
Ginn (2-3) allowed four runs on four hits and five walks while striking out two over 4.1 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Diamondbacks.
The right-hander took a major step back after having allowing just one run over his previous 11 innings. The five walks were a season high as well. Ginn was able to stretch out to 85 pitches (45 strikes) Saturday, and he should have a good chance of staying in the rotation following the Athletics' deadline deal that sent JP Sears to the Padres. Ginn has posted a 4.28 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 49:15 K:BB through 48.1 innings across 14 appearances (seven starts) this season. He's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Orioles next week.
-
Aroldis Chapman RP | BOS
Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman: Notches save No. 20
Chapman earned a save against the Astros on Saturday, retiring both batters he faced (including one by strikeout) in the ninth inning.
Boston entered the ninth inning with a 7-3 lead and gave the ball to Jorge Alcala, who allowed two batters to reach base and got only one out. Chapman was then summoned in a save situation and struck out Cam Smith before retiring Mauricio Dubon on a groundout to end the game. The veteran closer continued what has been a dominant campaign -- he's allowed just six earned runs over 43.2 frames while posting a 64:13 K:BB. Chapman's ability to avoid walks has been a big part of his success, as his 2.7 BB/9 is on pace to be the lowest of his career. The left-hander's save Saturday was his 20th of the campaign, marking the 10th time he's reached that mark in his career but the first such instance since 2021.
-
Austin Cox RP | ATL
Braves' Austin Cox: Start suspended Saturday
Cox allowed one run on three hits while retiring one batter (on a strikeout) Saturday against the Reds before the game was suspended due to inclement weather.
Cox was pressed into starting duties after Spencer Strider was scratched due to a weather delay that lasted well over an hour. Cox tossed 17 pitches in the rain in the first frame before the game was halted and ultimately suspended. Atlanta reportedly was set for a bullpen game, so Cox's outing wasn't likely to last much longer even if the contest had continued. The matchup is scheduled to resume Sunday afternoon and Cox is eligible to return to the mound, but it's unlikely Atlanta will send him back out.
-
Gabe Speier RP | SEA
Mariners' Gabe Speier: Extends scoreless streak Saturday
Speier threw a clean eighth inning with no strikeouts in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings loss to Texas.
Speier ran his streak of scoreless outings up to eight, and he's yielded just one earned run overall in his last 15 appearances. The 30-year-old left-hander remains a crucial part of Seattle's high-leverage picture, working to a pristine 0.69 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB over his last 13 innings.
-
Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Tigers' Kyle Finnegan: Earns first save with new club
Finnegan earned a perfect four-out save in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Phillies. He recorded one strikeout.
Primary closer Will Vest was brought in to face the top of the Philly order in the eighth inning but surrendered two runs and got the hook with a runner on and two outs. Finnegan shut the door from there, finishing the eighth and retiring the side in the ninth to notch his first save with the Tigers. The 32-year-old is now 21-for-27 in save chances this season while sporting a 4.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across 40.1 innings. He clearly remains in the mix for saves in Detroit, especially if Vest continues to be deployed in earlier high-leverage spots.
-
Austin Cox RP | ATL
Braves' Austin Cox: Working as opener Saturday
Cox will open Saturday's game against the Reds after Spencer Strider was scratched due to a weather delay, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Strider had already completed most or all of his warmup before the delay -- which lasted well over an hour -- was announced, so Atlanta decided not to put the star hurler on the mound. Cox will instead open what's slated to be a bullpen game. The lefty hasn't tossed more than two innings in any big-league appearance this season, though he did go 3.2 frames and throw 60 pitches in a start with Triple-A Gwinnett the last time he was on the mound (July 24). Therefore, he's well-rested and stretched out enough to handle a few frames if Atlanta opts for that approach.
-
Robert Garcia RP | TEX
Rangers' Robert Garcia: Tending to back issue
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy clarified after Saturday's 6-4 win over the Mariners in 11 innings that Garcia exited the contest due to a mid-back spasm, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
After Garcia was pulled in the 10th inning in the middle of a Eugenio Suarez at-bat, the initial word was that he was dealing with a left scapula spasm. However, further assessment determined that Garcia is instead managing a spasm in his mid-back. Bochy said that he expects Garcia to be fine, but the Rangers' closer may be due for a day off or two after pitching three times in the past four days.