MLB Player News

Rucker retired the final batter of the game to earn the save in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

Rucker needed to throw only two pitches to record his first career MLB save, though it certainly wasn't stress-free, as he entered the game with the bases loaded and the Cubs holding a 6-4 lead. Rucker got the nod due to the struggles of Rowan Wick, who allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while retiring just two batters. Wick should still be the Chicago's primary closer moving forward, though it's encouraging that Rucker was trusted in a high-pressure situation.

Smith fired a perfect ninth inning, striking out two to earn the save in the win over the Giants on Sunday.

Smith entered the ninth inning with a three-run lead. It was a solid comeback performance after blowing a save against the Giants on Friday. The 31-year-old has a 3.63 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 77 punchouts in 62 innings this season. His 33 saves are tied with Josh Hader for the fourth-most in baseball.

Kranick allowed three runs on four hits and four walks in five innings during Sunday's loss against Miami. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

Kranick turned in a pair of perfect frames to start the game and kept Miami scoreless through three innings. He coughed up a two-run double to Joe Panik in the fourth and an RBI sacrifice fly to Jesus Sanchez in the fifth. Since tossing five perfect innings in his MLB debut, Kranick has been rocked for 24 runs across 24.2 innings (8.76 ERA) with a 22:14 K:BB in six outings. If he gets another turn in the rotation, the right-handed rookie is projected to face the Phillies on the road next week.

Floro allowed two runs on one hit and one walk in Sunday's win over Pittsburgh. He struck out two and blew a save opportunity.

Floro was called upon to finish off a 3-2 victory but served up a two-run shot to Hoy Park. He would've been stuck with the loss if Miami didn't force extra innings in the bottom of the ninth. Floro had converted his previous eight save opportunities and is now 12-for-18 in save chances this season with a 3.10 ERA.

Finnegan walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-0 win over Colorado.

After blowing his last two save chances by allowing a combined six runs over his last 2.1 innings, it was encouraging to see Finnegan keep the goose egg on the board. The right-hander has mostly been an effective option this year with a 3.34 ERA, although his 1.45 WHIP and 62:31 K:BB in 62 innings are far from encouraging ratios. He's 10-for-13 in save chances since taking over ninth-inning duties after Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson were traded at the deadline.

Rainey, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, tossed a perfect inning in relief Sunday in the Nationals' 3-0 win over the Rockies. He struck out the side in the 13-pitch appearance.

Rainey was credited with his ninth hold of the season after blanking the Rockies in the sixth inning during his first outing with Washington since Aug. 12. The right-hander was a key part of the bridge to the ninth inning for the Nationals in 2020, but he's largely struggled on the rare occasions he's been healthy enough to pitch in 2021. Even after his strong showing Sunday, Rainey owns a 7.33 ERA across 27 innings on the campaign.

Nolin tossed three scoreless innings of long relief Saturday in the Nationals' 6-0 loss to the Rockies. He scattered three walks and a base hit and struck out two in the 51-pitch appearance.

Before he was handed a five-game suspension for throwing at Atlanta's Freddie Freeman in a Sept. 8 outing, Nolin had picked up five starts for Washington, posting a 5.60 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across those outings. Rather than returning Nolin to the rotation once his suspension was completed, Washington elected to keep Josh Rogers in the fold as its fifth starter. Unless the Nationals lose another rotation member over the final two weeks of the season, Nolin looks like he'll work out of the bullpen down the stretch.

Guerra (elbow) started a minor-league rehab assignment Sept. 10, per MLB.com.

Guerra has been sidelined due to an elbow issue since March, and there is little chance that he will be able to pitch in the majors this season. Still, it is a positive sign that the right-handed hurler has been able to return to game action as he looks ahead to the 2022 campaign. Through three minor-league outings -- two with the organization's Arizona Complex League squad and one with Double-A San Antonio -- Guerra has yet to allow a run or a hit while striking out three batters across three innings.

Washington optioned Suero to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

Suero forked over his spot in the Washington bullpen to Tanner Rainey, who was called up from Rochester in a corresponding move. Though the 30-year-old right-hander has struggled for much of the 2021 campaign, his demotion still comes as a surprise. Suero had been sharp over his last five appearances, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over 5.2 innings.

Beck (back) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list Sept. 13 and has worked 7.1 innings across two starts at Low-A San Jose, giving up five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk while striking out five.

Double-A Richmond initially placed Beck on its 7-day injured list June 9 with a herniated disc on the left side of his back. The right-hander began an extended rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League in August, and though he's now seemingly healthy again, the Giants opted to send him to Low-A rather than including him in Richmond's rotation.