MLB Player News

Garcia earned the save against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.

Garcia entered in the ninth inning and was tasked with protecting a one-run lead. He allowed a one-out single but escaped with the save after getting Eduardo Escobar to line into a game-ending double play. Garcia has now converted six of seven save opportunities while registering a 1.76 ERA and 15:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings.

Hand (2-2) blew the save and took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals fell 5-2 to the Phillies in 10 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits over one inning while striking out three.

Called up to protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, Hand instead served up a solo shot to Odubel Herrera. Nats manager Dave Martinez elected to leave the lefty on the mound to begin the 10th with Bryce Harper due up for the Phillies, but after Harper singled, Hand got the hook and Kyle Finnegan allowed the inherited runner to score. While his 2.92 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12.1 innings are solid, Hand has walked seven batters, blown his last two save chances and been tagged for runs in his last three appearances, putting his spot as Washington's closer in some jeopardy if he can't turn things around quickly.

Neris struck out one in a perfect 10th inning Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

It didn't look like Neris' services would be needed when the Phillies headed into the ninth inning down 2-1, but the team tied it up in the top of the frame before tacking on three more runs in the 10th to set up the save chance. Neris sports a 2.60 ERA and 21:7 K:BB through 17.1 innings while blowing two of his nine save opportunities so far this season.

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.