MLB Player News

Smith allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two in the ninth inning to blow the save against the Nationals on Thursday.

Lane Thomas tripled right away against Smith to open the inning, and the Nationals cashed in after a throwing error by Ozzie Albies as Albies tried to turn two. Smith has given up four runs in his last eight appearances, but his last blown save prior to Thursday was Aug. 11, and he's 31-for-36 in save situations with a 3.79 ERA this season.

Estevez allowed a run on two hits in the ninth inning of Thursday's game against the Phillies, but he escaped with the save. He struck out one batter.

Estevez was close to giving the game back after the Rockies took the lead against Phillies closer Ian Kennedy the prior half inning. He ultimately pitched out of a second-and-third, one-out situation with the lead still intact. Estevez has now given up at least one run in each of his last three appearances, but with only one blown save in that span and saves in three of his last four appearances, he's been getting the job done more often than not since Daniel Bard was removed from the closer picture.

Rainey (side) returned to the mound for Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, walking one batter in a scoreless inning, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Rainey hadn't pitched because of side pain since being demoted to Rochester in mid-August. While he's now returned to game action, he's likely a ways away from being considered for a big-league roster spot. The right-hander was sent down to work on his command after posting a 7.62 ERA and 31:21 K:BB across 26 major-league innings.

Gallegos earned the save against the Dodgers on Thursday by tossing a perfect inning with two strikeouts.

It was the second save in as many games for Gallegos, who seems to have taken over ninth-inning duties over Alex Reyes. The right-hander caused Cody Bellinger to fly out before punching out Corey Seager and Chris Taylor, protecting a one-run lead in the process. Gallegos now has six saves to his name to go with a 3.38 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.

White was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

White gave up four runs in five innings to take the loss against the Cardinals on Wednesday, and he'll head back to the minors after Tony Gonsolin (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday. Since Clayton Kershaw (forearm) is also expected to return early next week, the Dodgers no longer have a place in the rotation for White. However, he'll be a top option to rejoin the active roster if the team needs a spot starter.

Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Jackson has posted a 1.04 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 8.2 innings across a pair of relief appearances in the majors this year, and he'll rejoin the Dodgers' bullpen ahead of Thursday's series finale in St. Louis. The right-hander allowed five runs (four earned) in 4.2 innings in his most recent minor-league appearance but will attempt to replicate his past success in the big leagues.

Diaz (5-6) took the loss Wednesday, giving up an unearned run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning as the Mets were downed 2-1 by the Marlins in 10 innings. He struck out one without walking a batter.

With speedster Jazz Chisholm on second base as the designated runner for Miami in the bottom of the 10th, Diaz retired the first two batters he faced before Bryan De La Cruz laced a walkoff single. The Mets' closer has been tagged with a loss or a blown save in three straight appearances, and it's no coincidence his team now sits four games back of Atlanta in the NL East and 4.5 games back of the Padres for the second wild-card spot. On the season, Diaz carries a 3.88 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 80:22 K:BB through 55.2 innings while converting 28 of 34 save chances.

Melancon pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the Angels on Wednesday.

Los Angeles put a scare into San Diego with four runs between the seventh and eighth innings to turn a blowout into a close contest, but Melancon restored order with a 1-2-3 ninth during which he threw eight of nine pitches for strikes. As a result, the veteran earned his first save in September and league-leading 37th overall this season. With nearly four weeks remaining in the campaign, he has a strong chance to reach the 40-save mark for the third time in his career.

Gallegos earned the save over the Dodgers on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.

The Cardinals elected to allow Adam Wainwright to try to finish off his own start with the team ahead 5-2 entering the ninth inning, but the veteran hurler faltered, allowing a run on three singles. Gallegos took over and surrendered a sacrifice fly, but he was able to strike out Chris Taylor to nail down the save. It was a much-needed bounceback performance after Gallegos allowed four runs in one frame in his previous appearance, and he appears to be the team's primary ninth-inning option with three saves in his past four outings.

White (1-3) was tagged with the loss Wednesday against St. Louis, pitching five innings and allowing four runs on five hits and no walks while walking six.

White logged only the second outing of his career in which he lasted at least five innings, but he couldn't overcome the three runs he surrendered in the first frame. The right-hander did a good job of throwing the ball over the plate -- 47 of his 65 pitches were strikes -- and didn't walk any batters while punching out six for the third straight contest, so there are some positives to take from the outing. With that said, Tony Gonsolin (shoulder) is slated to return to the rotation Thursday and Clayton Kershaw (forearm) is expected back next week, so White's time as a starter could be over.