MLB Player News

Brogdon earned a save against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.

Brogdon entered in the ninth inning with Philadelphia up by two runs and immediately allowed the lead to be halved on a Jacob Stallings solo homer. He surrendered a single to the next batter but rebounded to retire the next three Marlins and secure the save. Seranthony Dominguez (triceps) is on the injured list and David Robertson threw 65 pitches over the past three days, which explains why Brogdon -- who had only one save coming into Wednesday -- was called upon to close. He isn't likely to see many more save opportunities moving forward.

Hader pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Hader was solid, retiring the side on nine pitches against the Diamondbacks' two most productive hitters of the night -- Daulton Varsho and Corbin Carroll -- as well as pinch hitter Carson Kelly. The save was Hader's second in his last three appearances, though he's allowed one run in three innings in that span in the non-save opportunity. Notably, Nick Martinez pitched the eighth inning Wednesday, earning a hold. Hader's at a 6.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 68:20 K:BB through 41.2 innings this year between the Brewers and the Padres. For now, the Padres' bullpen looks like a committee, though it's clear Hader's in the mix for save chances.

Finnegan (5-3) allowed five runs on four hits and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Cardinals.

With a four-run lead, manager Davey Martinez elected to bring Finnegan in for a non-save situation. The move backfired spectacularly, as the Cardinals rallied for five runs and a walkoff win. This ended Finnegan's 9.1-inning scoreless streak, which dated back to Aug. 13, though he hadn't pitched since Sept. 1 entering this appearance. The meltdown raised his ERA to 3.79 with a 1.23 WHIP and 57:21 K:BB through 54.2 innings. He's added eight saves and 13 holds this year, and it's unlikely one blunder will see Finnegan removed from a high-leverage role.

Abbott allowed a run on five hits and no walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Abbott was solid, but Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run to account for the lone run on the right-hander's line. Abbott pitched two scoreless innings of relief over two appearances since the start of the month, most recently Sept. 4; therefore, he was likely to face at least some restrictions. He still threw 88 pitches (56 strikes) and fared well against a division-leading club. Abbott carries a 4.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB through 31 innings into his next outing, which tentatively projects as a home start versus the Orioles next week if he remains in the rotation.

Assad (0-1) allowed four runs on five hits across 5.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Reds. He walked one and struck out six.

Assad pitched decently but served up two solo home runs, which were the first long balls he's allowed at the MLB level. This was the 25-year-old's third start for the Cubs and the first time he's allowed any runs across those appearances, leaving him with a strong 2.93 ERA through his first 15 innings in the majors. Assad has likely pitched well enough to stick in the rotation, and he's currently penciled in to take the mound again Tuesday against the Mets.

Dominguez (triceps) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Dominguez was cleared to face live hitters earlier this week and will now enter the final stage of his rehab program. The 27-year-old has been sidelined by triceps tendinitis since Aug. 17 and should require only a couple appearances in the minors before being cleared to return from the 15-day IL.

Junis is expected to follow opener Scott Alexander in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Brewers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Junis has failed to last five frames in each of his past two starts and will pitch behind an opener in Thursday's twin bill. Overall, the right-hander has a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 76:18 K:BB across 86.2 innings.

Alexander will start Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader in Milwaukee, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Alexander has given up one earned run across 5.1 innings for San Francisco this season and will make the second start of his career Thursday. The veteran left-hander should cover an inning or two before giving way to Jakob Junis.

Smith (lat) is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance Saturday for Triple-A Syracuse, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Mets manager Buck Showalter previously suggested that Smith would begin his rehab assignment last weekend, but that never materialized. The organization's brain trust may just have wanted Smith to continue to building up with another live session, but the right-hander now looks like he's ready to test himself in a game setting. Smith, who has been on the injured list since July 28 with a lat strain, is likely to work in middle relief for New York once activated.

Martin earned a hold against San Francisco on Tuesday, notching two strikeouts in one perfect inning.

After Tyler Anderson gave Los Angeles seven frames, Martin entered in the eighth inning as the bridge to closer Craig Kimbrel. Martin retired the side on 11 pitches, throwing nine strikes and registering a pair of punchouts. The right-hander has registered a 2.51 ERA, 0.49 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 14.1 innings while notching three wins, a save and two holds since joining the Dodgers on July 30.