MLB Player News

Finnegan walked one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his sixth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Mets.

He only tossed five of 11 pitches for strikes, but Finnegan coaxed a game-ending double play grounder out of Javier Baez to erase his free pass. The right-hander has only blown one save since inheriting the closer role from Brad Hand, but Finnegan's 0.75 ERA in 12 innings over that stretch isn't supported by his 1.17 WHIP or 7:5 K:BB.

Jackson (0-1) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Rockies despite allowing only one run on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out two.

Jackson's string of eight straight scoreless innings to begin his big-league career came to an end when C.J. Cron belted a homer to left leading off the sixth frame, and that was enough to send the rookie hurler to his first MLB loss. Nonetheless, it was another impressive outing for the right-hander, who threw 49 of 77 pitches for strikes and didn't allow any additional extra-base hits. Jackson has now allowed just one run over his first 8.2 big-league frames, but it's unclear how he'll be used going forward or if he'll remain on the active roster.

Estevez earned the save against the Dodgers on Friday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning during which he gave up one hit and struck out three batters.

The right-hander entered the contest with two saves on the campaign, but his last save conversion had come way back on May 24 against the Mets. Estevez allowed a leadoff single to Mookie Betts on Friday but proceeded to strike out the next three batters to slam the door on Los Angeles. Daniel Bard, who has been the Rockies' closer for most of the campaign but has struggled of late, pitched the eighth inning, suggesting that he may have lost hold of the team's ninth-inning role. If that is the case, Estevez figures to be first in line for save chances as he now has three of Colorado's non-Bard saves this season.

Thompson allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks with one strikeout in two-plus innings versus the White Sox on Friday. He did not factor in the decision.

The Cubs took a 6-0 lead in the top of the first, but Thompson was unable to maintain the lead. He wasn't responsible for the White Sox's go-ahead run in the third inning, but the right-hander can still shoulder a share of the blame for the team's defeat. It was by far the worst appearance of the season for Thompson, who saw his ERA tick up to 3.09 with a 1.41 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB through 46.2 innings. He's mainly worked as a reliever at the major-league level, but he could get a more favorable matchup versus the Pirates next week if he gets another turn in the rotation after Friday's disaster.

Littell allowed a run on one hit in 1.2 innings, taking a blown save in Friday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta.

The right-hander allowed two inherited runners from Tony Watson to score on a Jorge Soler in the seventh inning. Littell has allowed runs in back-to-back appearances after starting August with an 8.2-inning scoreless streak. He has a 2.93 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 37:19 K:BB through 46 innings overall, while adding two saves and five holds in a versatile role.

Reyes recorded the save with a scoreless ninth inning allowing one hit with two strikeouts in a win over Pittsburgh on Friday.

It took only 12 pitches total for Reyes to close the door in the ninth to help secure a 4-3 win over the Pirates. This was a nice bounce-back showing for the right-hander who had previously recorded two blown-saves across his last four outings.

Minter (2-4) allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the win Friday versus San Francisco.

Minter was the beneficiary of Atlanta's four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, as it put the team ahead for the first time in the contest. Since he was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Aug. 10, the southpaw has logged 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out 11. He's lowered his overall ERA to 4.05 with a 1.33 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB in 40 innings, and he's also picked up 21 holds in 48 outings.

Smith allowed a solo home run and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-5 win over San Francisco.

Luckily for Smith, he was called on to protect a two-run lead, as he allowed a solo shot to Wilmer Flores before retiring the next three batters in order. Atlanta's closer is up to 29 saves on the year, and he's converted eight of 10 chances in 13 appearances in August despite yielding eight runs in 12.1 innings. The left-hander has a 3.83 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 68:21 K:BB through 54 innings overall.

Peters (0-2) picked up the loss pitching five innings while allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts in a loss to St. Louis on Friday.

The left-hander posted a solid first four innings before running into trouble in the fifth surrendering a two-run home run to Tommy Edman. Only the third start of the season for Peters, the southpaw now carries a 3.07 ERA into his next start likely against the Cubs.

Alzolay (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay made his first rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday and allowed four runs on three hits and a walk while striking out three in two innings. The Cubs are expected to determine the next steps in the right-hander's recovery based on how he performs during Friday's throwing session.