MLB Player News

Williams picked up the save Friday against Texas. He allowed one run on one hit and struck out none over two-thirds of an inning.

The Brewers began the ninth inning with a five-run lead, but after Andrew Chafin ran into trouble, Williams was called upon to close out the game and record his 29th save of the year. The earned run he allowed was his first since July 5 and Friday marked just the second time in his last 22 appearances Williams failed to record a strikeout.

Lambert (3-4) yielded one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings Friday, striking out five and earning a win over the White Sox.

Lambert served up a leadoff homer to Elvis Andrus in the first inning but settled in for an impressive performance. It was Lambert's longest outing of the year and his first time punching out at least five batters since May 13. He lowered his season ERA to 5.02 with a 56:24 K:BB through 66.1 frames. Lambert is currently lined up to start in Tampa Bay next week.

Thompson (2-5) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over five innings Friday, striking out five and taking a loss against the Mets.

Thompson was greeted by Brandon Nimmo's leadoff shot to begin the game but still turned in a decent outing. It was Thompson's longest appearance of the year and first start since officially moving into the Cardinals' rotation. Over his last three trips to the mound, he's given up just four runs while posting an 18:2 K:BB through 13 innings. His next start is currently lined up to be in Pittsburgh next week.

The Mets optioned Hartwig to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

Hartwig will serve as the Mets' roster casualty in order to clear a space for Joey Lucchesi, who was called up for a spot start Friday. Hartwig has put up a 4.74 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through 24.2 innings since being selected from Triple-A in June, and he could return to the majors if the Mets need a fresh bullpen arm down the stretch.

Moreta (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Moreta was placed on the IL on Aug. 4 due to soreness in his lower back, and Friday will mark the beginning of the final stage in his recovery process. The Pirates haven't indicated how long they plan on keeping Moreta in the minors, but it's possible he returns ahead of their next homestand Monday.

The Cubs claimed Uceta off waivers from the Mets on Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Iowa, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

After being DFA'd by the Mets on Wednesday, Uceta will now look to earn a spot in the Cubs' bullpen. Though he's been injured for most of the year, Uceta has been decent when healthy, allowing one run in 4.2 innings in Triple-A and throwing three scoreless innings for the Mets in April.

Gott gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Thursday to record his first save of the season in a win over the Cardinals.

With Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley both having worked three of the prior four days, manager Buck Showalter had to get creative at the end of a 4-2 game, and Gott received the call in the ninth. The right-hander made things interesting by giving up a couple singles, but he then struck out Paul Goldschmidt to end the night. Drew Smith was needed in the seventh to get out of a jam with two on and nobody out, suggesting he's still viewed as the higher-leverage option, but Gott has earned his place in the late-inning mix with a 12-appearance scoreless streak during which he's posted a 12:3 K:BB through 11.1 innings.

Harvey gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning Thursday to record his 12th hold of the season in a win over the Red Sox.

Making his second appearance since being activated from the injured list earlier in the week, Harvey handled setup duties while Kyle Finnegan continues to close for the Nationals. With Finnegan having converted eight straight save chances over the last month or so, Harvey may not work back into the ninth-inning mix down the stretch, but his 2.98 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB through 42.1 innings on the season still give him fantasy value in deeper formats.

Ginkel was unavailable to pitch Thursday when Justin Martinez picked up the save in a 3-1 win over the Padres.

Ginkel and closer Paul Sewald each were unavailable after pitching four times in the last five days. Ginkel has been scored upon in only one of seven appearances in August, collecting two holds and a win with a 1.17 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through 7.2 innings.

Sewald was not available to pitch Thursday when Justin Martinez notched the save in a 3-1 win over San Diego.

Neither Sewald nor Kevin Ginkel were available to close things out for the Diamondbacks, so manager Torey Lovullo had Martinez get the final four outs. Sewald and Ginkel had each pitched four times in the prior five days.