MLB Player News

Mears (oblique) has been playing catch since late July but hasn't yet been cleared to throw off a mound, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been slow to bounce back from a left oblique strain, which forced him to the 15-day injured list June 28. Since he'll need to throw multiple bullpen sessions, face hitters in live batting practice and complete a rehab assignment prior to being activated, Mears doesn't look as though he'll be ready to rejoin the Rockies' bullpen until late August at the soonest.

Smith (4-4) took the loss in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Cubs. He allowed two hits, including a home run, while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Smith was called upon in the eighth inning of a tense 2-2 tie and proceeded to serve up a decisive home run to Mike Tauchman on a center-cut, 3-2 fastball. Prior to Tuesday, Smith had seven consecutive scoreless appearances, during which he allowed only three hits and two walks while striking out eight across seven innings.

The Nationals returned Willingham to Triple-A Rochester after Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Willingham appeared in the first game of the double dip, allowing two runs over 1.1 innings. He's been roughed up during his time with the big club this season with a 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP over 14 frames.

Bednar (3-2) took the loss and blew the save Tuesday as the Pirates fell 8-6 to Atlanta, coughing up three runs on three hits and two walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Entering the game to protect a 6-5 lead, Bednar had some bad luck -- a line drive by Travis d'Arnaud deflected off Ke'Bryan Hayes' glove and went for a double instead of the second out of the inning -- but once Atlanta's offense got rolling, the Bucs' closer seemed helpless to stop it. Two of Bednar's three blown saves this season have come in his last three appearances, and he's been tagged for runs in all three, but he still sports a 2.08 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 57:15 K:BB through 47.2 innings with a career-high 23 saves.

Iglesias gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 21st save of the season in an 8-6 win over the Pirates.

The right-hander didn't look like he would be needed Tuesday, but a three-run rally by Atlanta in the top of the ninth inning set Iglesias up for a save chance, and he didn't let it slip. He's converted 12 straight opportunities, and the 33-year-old closer has a 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB over 19 innings since his last blown save June 12.

Finnegan recorded his 18th save of the season in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

The right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 11 appearances and 10.2 innings, a stretch in which he's converted seven straight save chances while posting a 12:1 K:BB. Finnegan appears to have a firm hold on the closer job for the Nationals, and even if Hunter Harvey (elbow) is able to return before the end of the season, he might have to settle for setup work.

Chafin (2-4) took the loss Tuesday against Colorado. He allowed four runs (three earned) on one hit and two walks while failing to record an out.

After the Brewers had already used Elvis Peguero, Joel Payamps and Devin Williams out of the bullpen, Chafin was called upon to handle the 10th inning. The recently acquired lefty walked Michael Toglia to begin the frame, then surrendered a bunt single to Brenton Doyle and walked Cole Tucker to score a run before exiting the game with the bases loaded. Abner Uribe came in to finish off the inning, but not before allowing all three inherited runners to score. Chafin now holds an 8.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP through nine innings across his last 11 appearances.

Koch (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Brewers. He allowed one hit and zero walks while striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings.

Koch entered a tied ballgame one out into the eighth inning and was able to keep the Brewers' bats quiet through the end of the ninth. The Rockies' offense was then able to take advantage of the Milwaukee bullpen's command issues and score four runs in the 10th inning. Since he was selected from Triple-A Albuquerque in late June, Koch has proven himself to be one of the Rockies' more reliable bullpen assets with a minuscule 1.42 ERA and 0.68 WHIP through 19 innings.

Phillips allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over one inning, earning the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Phillips was tasked with protecting a three-run lead but nearly made a mess of it before getting Corbin Carroll to ground into a game-ending double-play. This was just the fourth time Phillips has allowed multiple runs this season, though he's also been scored on in each of his last two outings. He's now at a 2.72 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 47:10 K:BB with 15 saves and six holds through 43 innings overall.

Martinez allowed four hits and a walk while striking out one over three scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Tuesday.

Martinez started for the sixth time this season, including the second time within a week. He's pitched eight scoreless innings over three appearances in August, though Tuesday's outing was a bit less steady than his previous two. The right-hander is at a 3.55 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 75:28 K:BB through 83.2 innings this season. He's also picked up a save, 14 holds and a 5-4 record while primarily serving as a reliever.