MLB Player News

Hader allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across one inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Hader came on in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. He allowed a double and walk to the second and third batters he faced, but he retired the next two hitters to lock in his eighth save. Hader has also provided excellent ratios and strikeouts early on, highlighted by a 0.61 ERA and a 26:6 K:BB across 14.2 frames.

Chafin pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Wednesday's 2-1, extra-innings loss to Cleveland.

Chafin has pitched well lately, allowing just a single earned run over his last eight appearances (nine innings pitched) with eight strikeouts. That's allowed him to lower his season ERA to an even 3.00, and the lefty should continue to serve as a high-leverage reliever for the Cubs.

Weathers will start Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 21-year-old has pitched three innings of relief in each of his past two outings, but he'll make the start in Sunday's series finale versus St. Louis. Weathers may not pitch deep enough to qualify for the victory given his recent workload, and Dinelson Lamet could be in the mix to work behind him.

Pagan (3-0) allowed a hit and a walk and struck out three in one inning, earning the win in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Colorado.

Pagan relieved starter Yu Darvish and worked around a couple of baserunners in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Victor Caratini put San Diego ahead with a grand slam. Pagan has been effective as the primary setup man to closer Mark Melancon this year. Pagan has a 2.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB along with five holds and a blown save in 17 appearances spanning 15 innings.

Melancon allowed three hits and two walks in 1.2 scoreless innings for the save in a 5-3 win over Colorado in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Melancon remained perfect in save opportunities, but this was one of the shakier efforts he's produced. It was the first time he's walked multiple batters in an appearance. The 36-year-old right-hander still owns a sparkling 0.54 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 16.2 innings as San Diego's closer.

Thompson (1-1) gave up an unearned run on a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to Cleveland.

One of Thompson's walks was of the intentional variety to load the bases. He got Cesar Hernandez to pop up for the second out, but Amed Rosario lined a walkoff single to right. Thompson has yet to to be charged with an earned run in his first 8.1 big-league innings. He's posted a 1.56 WHIP and 2:6 K:BB in four appearances and is likely best suited for low-leverage work as he adjusts to the majors.

Sims (2-1) pitched two perfect innings and struck out four, earning the win in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Pirates.

The righty reliever posted his best outing to date in what's been a difficult season thus far. His ERA, now 5.54, has been inflated by three bad, multi-run outings. That being said, Sims is part of what's overall been an underwhelming bullpen and continues to pitch in close games, which leads to opportunities for winning decisions like he earned Wednesday.

Pagan has made 16 appearances out of the San Diego bullpen this season, posting a 2.57 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB to go with five holds over 14 innings.

The right-hander notably has a zero in the saves column, as manager Jayce Tingler committed to Mark Melancon as the team's closer Opening Day and hasn't wavered since. Melancon (0.60 ERA, 11-for-11 in save chances) has done his part to maintain his spot atop the depth chart, so those holding Pagan at this point should be doing so mainly for what he can provide in the ratio categories.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Suero (oblique) would be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Suero is ready to make his return from a nearly month-long absence due to a left oblique strain. Though he was tagged for two runs over his lone inning of relief Sunday in a rehab outing with Triple-A Rochester, Suero's oblique apparently checked out fine during the appearance. Prior to landing on the shelf, Suero posted a 1.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 6.1 innings out of the Washington bullpen.

The Padres recalled Ramirez from Triple-A El Paso ahead of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Rockies.

San Diego is designating Ramirez as its 27th man for the twin bill, so he'll most likely be sent back to the minors following the doubleheader. Ramirez, who will be on hand as a long-relief option, worked seven innings and gave up six runs over his five appearances out of the San Diego bullpen earlier this season.