MLB Player News

Hand pitched a perfect ninth innings with no strikeouts to earn the save in a 2-0 win over the Cardinals on Friday.

Hand only needed eight pitches to retire the side and earn his fourth save of the campaign. The 32-year-old veteran arm has now tallied three saves since Corey Knebel was pulled out of the closer role due to control issues in mid-June. Hand finds himself in a closer committee with Seranthony Dominguez, who earned the save in Thursday's game.

Robertson allowed a run on one hit and two walks in one inning, taking a blown save in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Dodgers.

Robertson loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Mookie Betts delivered a game-tying sacrifice fly. This was the third time in eight outings Robertson has taken a blown save, though he's given up only three runs in 8.2 innings in that span. The veteran right-hander is 12-for-17 in save chances with a 2.10 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 45:17 K:BB through 34.1 innings this year. He'll likely remain in the closer role as long as he's wearing a Cubs uniform, barring a terrible stretch of pitching.

Thompson allowed an unearned run on two hits, one walk and a hit batter with eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.

Thompson kept a tough opponent in check until the sixth inning, when a Seiya Suzuki error allowed the Dodgers to get on the board. All things considered, this was a good outing for Thompson since he lasted only four innings in his previous start. The 27-year-old right-hander has maintained a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 74:25 K:BB across 77 innings in 19 appearances (11 starts) this year. He's limited opponents to two or fewer runs in four of his last five outings, a run of success he'll look to keep going in a projected home start versus the Orioles next week.

Colome allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Daniel Bard had pitched each of the last two days, so manager Bud Black gave Colome a closing opportunity. He was a bit shaky, as two of the first three batters he faced reached base before a Josh Rojas fielder's choice led to a run, but Colome retired Jordan Luplow on a lineout to end the game. With runs allowed in four of his last seven appearances, Colome has been a little unsteady lately. He has four saves, four holds and a blown save while posting a 2.81 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB through 32 innings this year.

Long (0-2) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out two in 2.1 innings Friday, taking the loss versus the Padres. He did not walk a batter.

Long allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base, culminating in a three-run home run by Manny Machado. The Giants were unable to pull even in the contest, leaving Long with the loss for the second time in his six turns as an opener this year. The southpaw owns a 2.48 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB across 32.2 innings in 19 appearances overall, primarily working in long relief.

Martinez allowed two runs on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in three innings to earn the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Giants.

Martinez nearly got through the long-relief outing unscathed, but he allowed a two-out, two-run home run to Brandon Belt in the ninth inning. All three of Martinez's saves this year have seen him cover three frames, and they've all come in his last four appearances. He's unlikely to challenge Taylor Rogers' grasp on the closer role for more traditional save opportunities. Martinez has a 3.73 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 65:31 K:BB through 72.1 innings across 16 outings (10 starts), and he'll likely remain in a multi-inning role going forward.

Junis (hamstring) will make a rehab start with the Giants' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Junis threw two innings in a rehab start Thursday and will make another appearance with the rookie-level affiliate Monday. The Giants haven't yet indicated when the right-hander will be able to return, but he should be out through the All-Star break if he requires another rehab appearance following Monday's outing.

Graterol (side) isn't expected to require a trip to the injured list, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol exited Thursday's game against the Cubs due to right side soreness but felt fine after playing catch Friday. He won't be available for Friday's matchup against the Cubs but is expected to be available as early as Saturday.

Rondon was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Friday.

Rondon has made just one big-league appearance this season, throwing five scoreless innings of relief against the PIrates back in late May. He's spent most of the season with Triple-A Memphis, where he owns a 4.04 ERA and a 15.3 percent walk rate across 49 innings.

Naile was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Naile made three relief appearances during his time with the major-league club and struck out four in 4.2 scoreless innings. However, he'll head back to Memphis after Genesis Cabrera (illness) was reinstated from the injured list Friday.