MLB Player News

Hand pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning while recording a strikeout to pick up his 19th save of the year in a 7-5 win over the Padres on Monday.

Hand needed just 13 pitches to get through the heart of the Padres' order, and he struck out Wil Myers to end the game. The 31-year-old has now converted 16 straight save chances, and he's posted an excellent 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB over 37 innings this season.

Hill (5-4) took the loss Monday against the Nationals after allowing one run on one hit while striking out a batter over an inning.

Hil entered to begin the seventh trying to hold a 5-5 tie and was unable to do so. Josh Bell took him yard on the first pitch he saw to put the Nationals back out in front 6-5, and they never looked back. The long ball was the first Hill's given up since May 31. He now sits at a 2.65 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB over 34 innings.

Bender recorded a strikeout and didn't allow a hit or a walk during a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Monday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers.

Justin Turner reached via an error to open the frame, but Bender retired the next three batters with little fanfare to close out the victory. The right-hander notched the first save of his MLB career as closer Yimi Garcia pitched each of the past two days and surrendered four runs during Sunday's outing. Bender has a 0.68 ERA and 34:7 K:BB with five holds across 26.1 innings as he's putting together an impressive rookie campaign.

Hoffman (shoulder) will make a fourth rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Hoffman has gone 10 innings without allowing an earned run during his rehab assignment. Despite the good results, the Reds don't seem to be in a hurry to bring him back or decide whether he'll start or relieve when he does return. They're also getting Michael Lorenzen back soon and have gotten good work out of Vladimir Gutierrez, which might explain their lack of urgency.

Brogdon (5-2) struck out one across two perfect innings, earning the win Monday versus the Cubs.

Brogdon pitched the fifth and sixth innings after a somewhat short outing from starter Matt Moore. The reliever pitched well, and Philadelphia took the lead in the top of the sixth to put Brogdon in line for the win. The right-hander has been decent in a versatile role with a 4.13 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB across 32.2 innings. He's collected a save, seven holds and three blown saves, but he isn't very high in the pecking order for saves despite turmoil in the closer role for the Phillies.

Moore gave up two runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts across four innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Monday.

The runs against the left-hander came on a Jake Marisnick solo home run and a Javier Baez RBI double. Moore essentially had a turn skipped in the rotation after his spot start last Thursday was rained out -- his previous appearance was June 25. He's pitched to a 5.60 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB across 27.1 innings in a versatile role. He tentatively projects to make one more start before the All-Star break, but it would be a tough one during this weekend's series in Boston.

Hudson (elbow) threw a 21-pitch bullpen session Monday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

It's at least the third bullpen session for the right-hander since resuming mound work last week, so he should be close to facing live hitters. Hudson has been sidelined since June 9 with right elbow inflammation and figures to require a rehab assignment before being activated.

Long was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a mild lower-back strain Monday, retroactive to July 4, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Long gave up four runs in four innings during Saturday's win over Arizona, but he didn't factor into the decision. The southpaw's injury may have contributed to his struggles, and he'll now be sidelined through the All-Star break. The Giants haven't announced who could take Long's place in the rotation, but the team could simply push their weekend starters up a day following Thursday's scheduled day off. It's not yet clear when the 25-year-old will be able to return to action, but catcher Chadwick Tromp was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.

Weems was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks on Monday.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Saturday, and he should join the Diamondbacks' major-league bullpen after left-hander Ryan Buchter was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Weems had been with Triple-A Las Vegas since mid-May, and he posted a 7.36 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 14.2 innings across 15 relief appearances.

Alexander (shoulder) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Alexander recorded a 2.31 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in 11.2 innings across his first 13 relief appearances of the season before he was placed on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation. The southpaw made six rehab appearances between Low-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he could serve as one of the top left-handed options in the major-league bullpen now that he's healthy.