MLB Player News

Kerkering (5-2) threw a clean eighth inning in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays, striking out one while earning the win.

Kerkering has been excellent in relief for over a month now -- he last conceded an earned run back on May 6. The 24-year-old right-hander's streak of no earned runs is up to 13.1 innings, during which he owns a 1.20 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB. It was interesting to see the Phillies bypass presumed closer Jordan Romano in a save opportunity in favor of left-hander Matt Strahm on Saturday, which suggests the club may have an unclear bullpen hierarchy that could also leave the door open for Kerkering to work his way into the mix.

Dominguez gave up one walk in a scoreless seventh inning during Saturday's 6-5 win over the Angels. He struck out one.

Dominguez posted his eighth straight scoreless outing, fanning at least two for the sixth time during this stretch. The 30-year-old right-hander had a 6.00 ERA as of May 24, but he's managed to improve that figure to a more palatable 4.05 for the campaign after Saturday's showing. Dominguez now has seven holds in 2025, and he owns a 1.28 WHIP and 34:16 K:BB over 26.2 innings as a setup man for closer Felix Bautista.

Kittredge gave up a run on one hit and one walk in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Angels, recording two outs and fanning one.

Kittredge served up his first home run of the season, but he was still able to earn his fourth hold this year. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander is unlikely to see much ninth-inning work while closer Felix Bautista is healthy, but the former is settling in as a high-leverage arm since coming off the injured list. Through his first 8.1 innings of 2025, Kittredge owns a 2.16 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB.

Faucher retired the only batter he faced in the ninth inning Saturday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Anthony Bender got the first crack at the save, taking the mound to begin the ninth inning with the Marlins ahead 4-1, but he coughed up two runs and left the bases loaded before getting the hook. Faucher, who tossed 21 pitches Friday to collect the save, needed only four (three strikes) this time around to get James Wood to pop out, although even that was an adventure -- Otto Lopez only secured the catch after colliding with Kyle Stowers in shallow left field. Faucher has successfully converted all five of his save chances with seven scoreless frames since May 28, and he's tightening his grip on the closer role for Miami.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Montes De Oca is set to undergo lower back surgery in the coming days, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Montes De Oca was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the week due to elbow inflammation, but his back was apparently a greater concern. A timeline for his return could be released once surgery is completed, but Lovullo noted that Montes De Oca could be sidelined for the rest of the season. He made just one appearance out of the Arizona bullpen before landing on the IL.

Junk (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, scattering two hits over 5.2 scoreless innings of relief in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The 29-year-old right-hander was the fourth Miami pitcher to take the mound on the afternoon, entering the game with one out and two men on in the third inning. Junk nearly tossed the equivalent of a quality start as the bulk reliever on just 64 pitches (42 strikes), retiring the first 10 batters he faced and not allowing a runner to get into scoring position. Junk has made five appearances this season, all out of the bullpen, and posted an impressive 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 20:2 K:BB in 22.2 innings. The Marlins are short a starting pitcher at the moment with Ryan Weathers (lat) and Max Meyer (hip) on the injured list, and they don't get another off day until June 23, so Junk seems likely to plug that rotation hole at some point next week, either in a traditional start or as a primary pitcher once again.

Hoeing (shoulder) began a new rehab assignment June 7, per MLB.com.

Hoeing first began a rehab stint in May, but he wasn't adequately built up by the end of that assignment, so he began another one shortly thereafter. The right-hander has thus far appeared in three games with Triple-A El Paso during his second minor-league stint, allowing three runs with a 5:2 K:BB over 3.1 innings. Hoeing has yet to pitch on back-to-back days, however, and that may be a requirement before San Diego is ready to activate him.

Palencia worked around a hit to toss a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Pirates. He struck out two.

A day after seeing Ryan Pressly earn a save while he worked the eighth inning for a hold, Palencia was back as the closer Saturday. Pressly, meanwhile, worked the seventh after starter Matthew Boyd logged six solid innings. Palencia now has six saves this season in seven chances, and he lowered his ERA to a sparkling 1.73. It appears that the closer situation may remain fluid in Chicago, with both Palencia and Pressly getting opportunities for the time being. That gives both players fantasy value, though it does limit their ceilings.

McDaniels cleared waivers Saturday and was returned to the Dodgers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

McDaniels turned in a 5.91 ERA and 1.97 WHIP across 10.2 innings before a biceps injury sent him to the injured list in May. The Angels designated McDaniels for assignment Monday after he was reinstated from the IL, and he will now return to the organization he began his professional career with before he was selected in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter. He will most likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City and serve as bullpen depth for the Dodgers.

The White Sox optioned Gilbert to Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.

Gilbert was just activated from the IL on Friday after missing time due to a knee injury, and he pitched two scoreless innings that same day. The lefty has performed relatively well for Chicago this season, posting a 4.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB with one hold and a 1-1 record over 15 innings spanning 14 appearances. Gilbert figures to be back up with the White Sox in due time, but for now he'll head to the minors to make room on the 26-man roster for recent trade acquisition Aaron Civale.