MLB Player News

Melancon pitched the ninth inning of Thursday's 3-0 shutout of the Rockies, allowing one hit while recording the save.

Melancon entered in the ninth to protect a three-run lead and was able to work around a Trevor Story one-out double to record his 32nd save. The veteran reliever threw 12 of his 19 pitches for strikes and should see ample save opportunities moving forward, especially if San Diego makes a key addition prior to the trade deadline.

Smith allowed one hit and struck out one across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Mets.

Smith surrendered a leadoff double to Jonathan Villar but then retired three consecutive batters to record his 21st save of the season. Though he's allowed at least one baserunner in 10 of his last 12 outings, Smith has surrendered only two earned runs across 12 innings in that span. He remains locked into save chances with Atlanta and has maintained a 3.32 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 40.2 frames on the campaign.

Finnegan struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Phillies.

Finnegan was thrust into the closer's role with Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson (COVID-19 protocols) traded Thursday. He had little trouble shutting down the Phillies, as he needed only 12 pitches to record his first career save. With Hand and Hudson out of the picture, Finnegan could be in the position to see save opportunities across the final two months of the campaign.

Thompson will be traded from the Padres to the Nationals on Thursday along with Jordy Barley in exchange for Daniel Hudson (COVID-19), Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Thompson was originally drafted by the Padres with the 85th overall pick in the 2016 first-year player draft. He dealt with a shoulder injury that slowed his progress through the team's system, but he did ultimately make his major-league debut earlier this season. Though Thompson was with Triple-A El Paso at the time of the trade, it's possible that he'll get a look with the Nationals given their current rebuild.

Hudson (COVID-19 protocols) will be traded from the Nationals to the Padres on Thursday in exchange for Jordy Barley and Mason Thompson, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Hudson was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, though it's unclear whether he tested positive or was a close contact. Whenever he is able to return to the mound, he should fill a familiar setup role in San Diego with Mark Melancon entrenched as the closer. Hudson has had a strong campaign, delivering a 2.20 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 48 strikeouts across 32.2 innings while recording 15 holds.

Garcia, who'd given up six earned runs on seven hits over his first three outings with the Cardinals, fired two perfect innings in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland, recording one strikeout.

The veteran reliever had gotten off to a highly inauspicious start with the Cardinals after signing July 9, but Wednesday's 26-pitch outing was a step in the right direction. Garcia's ability to work multiple innings and his rather shaky body of work seem to make him an ideal fit for low-leverage, middle-relief assignments for the time being.

Megill was recalled by the Cubs on Thursday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Megill spent three days in the majors last week before heading to Triple-A on Sunday. He's back again after Dillon Maples hit the injured list with a blister. Megill has allowed six runs in 4.2 innings in his first taste of the majors this season, striking out two while walking six, but it could be easier for him to stick with the team in the second half, as the Cubs will likely move quite a few players prior to the trade deadline.

Brebbia was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Brebbia has served as a low-leverage reliever this season, and he'll head to the minors after he allowed four runs on three hits and no walks in two innings against the Dodgers on Wednesday. Right-hander Aaron Sanchez (biceps) will take his place in the bullpen after he was reinstated from the 60-day IL.

Rainey (lower leg) was activated off the 10-day injured list Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Rainey wound up missing a month with a stress reaction in his right tibia. He could be in the mix for saves down the stretch, as the Nationals dealt Brad Hand to the Blue Jays on Thursday. His 42.7 percent strikeout rate and 2.66 ERA last year would make him seem like a strong candidate, though his strikeout rate has fallen to 26.5 percent this season while his ERA has ballooned to 6.93.

Long allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts across two innings in Wednesday's 8-0 loss to the Dodgers.

Long worked as a starter prior to a back strain that landed him on the injured list. He returned to a bullpen role Wednesday and delivered decent pitching in the fifth and sixth innings. The 26-year-old doesn't have a clear path back to the rotation without injuries arising, so he should be expected to provide multiple innings in relief going forward. He's pitched to a 5.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 26 innings this year.