MLB Player News

Abbott pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's loss to the Giants. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one.

Abbott was called up from Triple-A Iowa earlier in the day and was effective in his MLB debut. The 25-year-old had a 6.39 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in five starts for Iowa before getting the call, so expectations should be tempered, though he at least made a good first impression. Abbott will serve out of the Cubs' bullpen for the time being but could be an option for some spot starts.

Atlanta optioned Webb to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Webb's latest stint with the big club lasted all of one day. He went unused Saturday in Atlanta's 6-4 loss to the Dodgers, and he'll now head back to Triple-A with the big club calling up Shane Greene from Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Holmes (2-0) earned the win in relief Saturday against the Marlins by tossing a scoreless inning.

Holmes tossed 10 of his 16 pitches for strikes and kept the Marlins off the board in the top of the 12th inning. That was enough to grant him his second win of the campaign. The 28-year-old right-hander has been pitching well of late, and he's gone 13 straight outings (12 innings) without allowing a run, posting an 11:4 K:BB in that span.

Cimber (1-2) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Pirates after allowing an unearned run on one hit and one walk in one-third of an inning.

Cimber pitched the 12th inning and while he retired Ke'Bryan Hayes with a flyout, he couldn't hold on and gave up the game-winning RBI on a single from Jacob Stallings that scored Adam Frazier. The 30-year-old right-hander has given up at least one run in four of his last five outings and owns a 5.68 ERA across 6.1 innings in that span.

Brogdon was credited with the save Saturday against the Nationals. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning and struck out two.

Brogdon only needed 14 pitches (nine strikes) to secure his first save of the season and did it in impressive fashion, striking out two of the three batters he faced -- none other than Trea Turner and Juan Soto. The 26-year-old right-hander got the save chance since the established closer, Hector Neris, was placed on the paternity list Saturday, so the former might not be tasked with picking up more save chances going forward. Jose Alvarado and Sam Coonrod could see save opportunities in the near future while Neris is unavailable, though the fact that Brogdon came through in the clutch when called upon is an encouraging sign for the future.

Howard didn't factor into the decision Saturday against the Nationals after tossing 2.1 innings of one-run ball, allowing one hit and two walks while fanning two.

Howard was tagged with the Nationals' first run of the game but didn't have too many problems on the mound in his short, 48-pitch outing. Howard has been a starter in each of his last three appearances with the Phillies, but it remains to be seen whether he'll remain in the rotation or if he'll return to the bullpen moving forward. His upside as a starter is quite limited, though, as he's yet to pitch more than four complete innings in any of his appearances.

Rogers earned the save against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing one unearned run on one hit in one inning. He struck out one batter.

For the second game in a row, Rogers got the call with San Francisco ahead in the ninth inning. The Giants' defense committed two errors behind him to allow Chicago to pull within a run, but the right-hander got out of the inning with the save secure despite throwing only half of his 22 pitches for strikes. Rogers and Jake McGee each have eight saves on the season, but with five saves in his past eight appearances, Rogers may be the slight favorite for ninth-inning opportunities moving forward.

Smith racked up three strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

Smith threw 11 of his 14 pitches for strikes to close out the victory. The 31-year-old gave up a run Thursday in a non-save situation, but he has now recorded scoreless innings in four of his last five outings. The closer has a 4.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 32:8 K:BB and 10 saves in 22 innings this year.

Cleavinger (forearm) recently tossed a bullpen session, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Cleavinger hasn't pitched since May 15 and hit the injured list May 18 with left forearm irritation. He is currently rehabbing at the team's training facility in Arizona. The left-hander is expected to go on a rehab assignment of at least one week when he is ready to pitch in games.

Alexander (shoulder) has been rehabbing at the Dodgers' training facility in Arizona but has yet to throw a bullpen session, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Alexander last pitched May 1 and isn't yet close to a return. Manager Dave Roberts recently indicated that the reliever will require a rehab assignment lasting at least one week when he is ready to return to game action.