MLB Player News

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Bednar (back) won't be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's game in Washington but is expected to avoid a stint on the injured list, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Bednar hasn't pitched since Saturday on account of a sore lower back, an injury that may have played a part in him uncharacteristically walking two batters and surrendering two runs in a blown save during his last time on the mound. Prior to that game, Bednar had produced a 1.30 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB across 34.2 innings while notching 11 saves in 13 chances, so he should have a decent amount of job security as the Pirates' closer.

Hudson (6-4) gave up three earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings to earn the win in a 5-3 victory over the Marlins on Tuesday.

Hudson gave up three runs in the third inning, but his offense bailed him out with a four-run tally in the bottom of the fifth to help him to his sixth win of the season. Hudson hasn't yet snapped fully back to form following Tommy John surgery, as he's only recorded 44 strikeouts over 80 innings and carries a pedestrian 1.35 WHIP. The most encouraging sign for the 27-year-old right-hander is that he's healthy and consistently making starts in a Cardinals rotation which has been hit with injuries to Steven Matz (shoulder), Jack Flaherty (shoulder) and Jordan Hicks (forearm). Look for him to take the mound Sunday at Philadelphia.

Helsley earned his sixth save in Tuesday's win over the Marlins, pitching a perfect ninth inning during which he struck out the side.

Helsley was dominant when called in to protect a two-run lead in the ninth. He fanned Garrett Cooper and Avisail Garcia with high-90s four-seamers and Jesus Aguilar with a nasty 79 mph curveball. The power pitcher continues to hold up his end of the closer tandem with Giovanny Gallegos and now has six saves on the season to go along with an elite 12.7 K/9 rate.

Rogers (0-4) allowed a run on two hits and a hit-by-pitch while striking out three in 1.2 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Diamondbacks.

Rogers entered with the bases loaded in the eighth inning and promptly allowed the tying run to score when he plunked Carson Kelly. The game remained tied into the ninth, where Rogers allowed two-out singles to Josh Rojas and Ketel Marte. Christian Walker then got aboard on a fielder's choice that scored the winning run, leaving Rogers with a loss in addition to his fourth blown save. He's pitched to a 2.84 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 37:7 K:BB while adding 22 saves in 31.2 innings.

Manaea allowed three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven in six-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Manaea threw six shutout innings before running into trouble in the seventh. The Padres' bullpen fared no better in the late innings, which ultimately cost Manaea the win as he took a third straight no-decision. The southpaw owns a 3.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 89:31 K:BB through 85 innings in 14 starts this year. He's projected for a home start versus the Mariners next week as he looks to get back into the win column.

Melancon (3-6) earned the win Tuesday over the Padres. He struck out two and walked one in a scoreless inning.

Melancon was the beneficiary of the Diamondbacks' comeback, which culminated in a walkoff in the ninth inning. The 37-year-old hasn't logged a save since June 3, but that's been due to a lack opportunities more than anything else. The veteran reliever has a 5.47 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB through 26.1 innings. He's 11-for-13 in saves chances.

Brebbia allowed a run on two hits and struck out one in one inning, earning a hold in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers.

Brebbia has picked up four holds in his last six outings, allowing two runs (one earned) in five innings in that span. The right-hander has steadied himself after a bumpy May, and he now has a 2.78 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB in 32.1 innings overall. His hold Tuesday was his eighth of the year, and he should continue to serve in a middle-innings role.

Doval walked one and struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Tigers.

Dominic Leone got into trouble in the eighth inning, but Doval was able to bail him out by striking out Jonathan Schoop with the bases loaded. Doval issued his walk in the ninth, then escaped the jam by getting Javier Baez to ground into a double play. This was Doval's first save since June 18, as he'd seen three straight non-save situations. The hard-throwing righty has a 2.97 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 40:13 K:BB through 33.1 innings. He's added 12 saves, two blown saves, one hold and a 3-2 record while serving as the Giants' top high-leverage arm.

Thompson (7-3) allowed four runs on eight hits across 6.1 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Reds. He had no walks and struck out eight.

The eight strikeouts were one away from tying a season high, but Thompson was a bit too hittable and was outdueled by Cincinnati starter Luis Castillo, who tossed six scoreless innings of his own. Thompson has pitched well overall this year with a 3.34 ERA, though he's just 1-3 across his last five starts with a 6.14 ERA. The righty will look to get back on track in his next scheduled start Sunday against a surging Boston squad.

Hader struck out the side in the ninth inning of a 5-3 win Tuesday in Tampa Bay to earn the save.

Facing the bottom three spots in the order, Hader made quick work of Taylor Walls and two pinch hitters, retiring all three on swinging strikeouts. The flamethrower is now 23-for-24 in save chances this season. Through 25 outings he has fanned 41 of the 86 batters he's faced, for a remarkable 47.7 percent strikeout rate.