MLB Player News

Edwards (3-3) picked up the win in Sunday's victory over the Diamondbacks, allowing one hit and walking one over 1.1 scoreless innings.

The right-hander entered the game in the sixth inning with the Nationals down 3-2, and Edwards got rewarded when Keibert Ruiz drove home the winning run in the top of the eighth. Edwards has been effective since joining the Washington bullpen in May, and the 30-year-old has a 3.03 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB through 35.2 innings this season, adding seven holds in 30 appearances.

The Cardinals list Hudson (neck) as their scheduled starting pitcher for Saturday's game in Washington.

Hudson appears on track to make his return from the 15-day injured list in the minimum amount of time after he made a rehab start at Triple-A Memphis on Sunday. The right-hander struck out six over five innings and allowed one earned run on five hits and three walks while throwing 79 pitches (49 strikes). He should be able to handle a 90-plus-pitch workload Saturday, setting him up for a relatively normal start in his expected return from the IL this weekend.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo did not commit to keeping Martin in the rotation following a no-decision in Sunday's loss to the Nationals, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports. The right-hander's spot comes due Saturday in Atlanta.

Martin was given first crack at a backend rotation spot after the Diamondbacks designated Dallas Keuchel for assignment. He avoided damage Sunday, allowing one run over four innings despite nine baserunners and just one strikeout. Martin earned an opportunity after showing improvement at Triple-A Reno, which included the development of a curveball to complement a fastball/changeup heavy repertoire. He threw just six of them Sunday -- "It wasn't a pitch he had a great feel for today," Lovullo said. That, compounded with an inability to consistently locate his changeup, made Martin rely heavily on his fastball.

Junis is slated to start Monday's game in Arizona.

After he was reinstated from the injured list July 16, Junis was available out of the bullpen for the Giants' final two games before the All-Star break since the team was able to temporarily get by with a four-man rotation. With San Francisco opening its post-break schedule with five games in five days, Junis will slot back into the rotation, though he could have a workload restriction Monday. Before making a two-inning relief appearance following his return from the IL a week and a half ago, Junis covered only two frames in both of his minor-league rehab outings.

Diaz struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Padres.

It didn't look like Diaz would be needed initially, but Joely Rodriguez allowed four straight batters to reach base to begin the ninth inning. Diaz would allow one inherited runner to score on a groundout, but he was able to protect the lead for his 21st save of the season. The closer extended his scoreless streak to 12 innings in 13 appearances since June 22. He's added a 24:1 K:BB in that span, and he's trimmed his ERA from 2.30 to 1.60 while providing dominant late-innings work.

Robertson allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save during Sunday's win over the Phillies.

Robertson earned his third win of the season Saturday against Philadelphia, and he preserved the Cubs' one-run lead during Sunday's series finale to help the team earn its first sweep of the season. The right-hander has been a strong contributor this month, earning five saves while posting a 1.74 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 10.1 innings over nine appearances.

Martin allowed a run on four hits and five walks with one strikeout in four innings, taking a no-decision in Sunday's loss to the Nationals.

Martin made his first big-league start of the season, but he had trouble finding the strike zone. He threw only 36 of 71 pitches for strikes, though he was able to effectively limit the damage with some help from his defense -- the Diamondbacks turned a double play and picked off Victor Robles on a stolen base attempt. Martin has a 3.93 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB through 18.1 innings in six outings (one start) with Arizona this year. It's not clear if he'll stick in the rotation going forward, but he lines up for a road start in Atlanta next weekend if he gets another start. Martin likely has a path to remain a starter at least until Zach Davies (shoulder) can return, which isn't expected to be until August at the earliest.

Finnegan pitched 1.2 perfect innings to earn the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Finnegan entered the contest with one out in the eighth inning and promptly got Christian Walker to ground into a double play. In the ninth, Finnegan retired the side without trouble to protect the one-run lead again. The right-hander is the Nationals' preferred closer with Tanner Rainey (elbow) and Sean Doolittle (elbow) both out for the year. Finnegan has allowed two runs in 8.1 innings in July and sports a 3.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB through 38.1 innings. He's picked up two saves, 12 holds, three blown saves and a 2-2 record. While he's got the backing of manager Dave Martinez, the Nationals' major-league worst 32-65 record is likely to make save chances hard to come by for any reliever on the team.

Leone (3-3) allowed a run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Leone was responsible for the first of the Dodgers' three runs in the seventh inning, and that was enough to stick the reliever with his second loss in as many outings. He's given up three runs in one inning across two appearances since the All-Star break, though that could be a product of facing the Dodgers' formidable offense. For the season, Leone has a 3.97 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB with 10 holds, two saves and three blown saves in 34 innings.

Kimbrel allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Giants.

Kimbrel picked up his second save in three appearances against the Giants this weekend. Dating back to July 9, the Dodgers' closer has pitched six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out six in that span. He's now 17-for-20 in save chances this year despite a middling 3.97 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 49:14 K:BB through 34 innings overall.