MLB Player News

Finnegan saved Saturday's 7-6 win against the Cardinals, recording the final five outs in order. He failed to notch a strikeout.

Finnegan entered with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning with Washington up 7-5 and surrendered a Paul DeJong sacrifice fly to cut the lead to one run, but he followed that up by inducing four straight unproductive outs to lock down his third save in as many appearances. The 30-year-old navigated five outs on just 16 pitches, though he's recorded only one strikeout over his last 4.1 innings. Since taking on a larger role in July, Finnegan has allowed two runs and six baserunners with eight strikeouts in 11 innings across nine appearances.

Bard allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Dodgers.

Fresh off of signing a two-year contract extension earlier Saturday, Bard was able to close out the dangerous Dodgers with little trouble. This was his sixth save in his last eight appearances, a span in which he's surrendered only three hits and three walks with six strikeouts in eight scoreless innings. The Rockies' closer owns a 1.86 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 44:19 K:BB while converting 22 of 24 save chances this year, and he likely would have fetched a strong return in a trade had he not signed a new deal.

Martin (0-1) took the loss Saturday versus Atlanta. He allowed four runs on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts in four innings.

All of the runs against Martin came via the long ball. He gave up solo shots to Matt Olson and William Contreras as well as a two-run blast also to Contreras. Prior to Saturday, Martin hadn't allowed a homer at the major-league level this year. The poor outing raised his ERA to 4.84 and his WHIP to 1.66 through 22.1 innings. He's added 21 strikeouts and 12 walks in seven appearances (two starts), though his spot in the rotation remains only tenuously in his hands. He should be considered likely to start until Zach Davies (shoulder) or Tyler Gilbert (elbow) can return, which likely means Martin is tentatively set for a home start versus the Rockies next week.

Pomeranz (elbow) threw his third simulated inning Friday and will toss another bullpen session before potentially kicking off a minor-league rehab assignment, per MLB.com.

Pomeranz threw 26 pitches in his most recent sim game, increasing his output from his first two outings against live hitters. The lefty hurler's next steps aren't yet determined beyond an additional bullpen session in the coming days. Pomeranz hasn't pitched in a game for almost a year, so he's likely to require significant time to ramp up once he begins a rehab stint.

Leiter was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

Leiter was sent to the minors in mid-July but will rejoin the Cubs' bullpen after Chris Martin was traded to the Dodgers on Saturday. Over 14 appearances (four starts) in the majors this year, Leiter has posted a 5.35 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 38.2 innings.

Jansen is unavailable for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks due to a back injury, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Jansen felt a twinge in his back during Friday's relief appearance, and he'll rest for at least one game. However, his injury isn't considered significant, so he should be considered day-to-day. If Atlanta encounters a save situation Saturday, A.J. Minter and Will Smith will likely be the top options to fill in as the closer.

Holton was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Holton has spent most of the season in Reno and has recorded a 3.29 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 27.1 innings over 18 relief appearances in the minors. The southpaw should pitch mainly in low-leverage situations but will be able to handle multi-inning outings if needed.

Naile was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He has not allowed a run while striking out four in 5.1 innings over four appearances in the majors this year. Dakota Hudson (neck) was activated ahead of his scheduled start Saturday in a corresponding move.

Hudson (neck) was officially activated ahead of Saturday's start against the Nationals, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Hudson is capable of going deep into starts, but he has struck out more than four batters only once in nine starts since the beginning of June. He has a 4.85 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 52 innings over that stretch.

Abbott was recalled by the Nationals on Saturday.

He has given up one run while striking out four in three innings over two MLB appearances this season. Abbott will presumably pitch in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen, but he could also be an option to serve as a spot starter. He's started eight of his 12 appearances at the Triple-A level between the Nationals' and Cubs' affiliates this year.