MLB Player News

Webb (6-3) took the loss and blew the save Saturday against the Mariners, allowing three runs on three hits and no walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Summoned to protect a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning, Webb served up a walk-off, two-run homer to Randy Arozarena. While Webb has fared admirably as the Cubs' closer and hadn't experienced much of a hitch in quite some time -- he was last scored upon June 20 versus Toronto prior to Saturday -- it wouldn't be surprising if Daniel Palencia, who just got back from the injured list, sees the club's next save opportunity. Through 57.2 innings, Webbs sports a 2.65 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 64:20 K:BB with eight holds plus nine saves (14 attempts)

Faucher worked a perfect ninth inning Saturday without striking out a batter to record his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Nationals.

Pete Fairbanks tossed 25 pitches Friday and likely wasn't available, so closing duties fell to Faucher, and he got the job done. Faucher has a pristine 0.00 ERA in August, producing a 0.78 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings, but he had zero wins, saves or holds on the month coming into Saturday.

Ashby gave up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 4-1 win over Atlanta. He didn't strike out a batter.

With Trevor Megill having pitched Thursday and Friday, Ashby got the call in a save situation Saturday and wrapped things up on 21 pitches (15 strikes). Both of his saves have come while Abner Uribe (forearm) has been on the IL, and with the right-hander seemingly on track to return next week, Ashby's window to handle closing duties when Megill is unavailable could be about to close. Ashby's been providing fantasy value even without the saves, posting a 0.00 ERA through 11.1 innings in August with a 1.06 WHIP, 18:5 K:BB, one win and three holds.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Diaz (neck) will move into a lower-leverage role once he returns from the injured list, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Diaz has given up 18 earned runs in just 13.2 innings with the Dodgers this season, so the team will plan to give him what Roberts termed as a "softer landing" once he's healthy with the goal of eventually having him reclaim the closer's role. The 32-year-old righty landed on the injured list Tuesday due to neck inflammation, but he threw a bullpen session Saturday and is expected to return around the time he's eligible to be activated Sept. 2. Tanner Scott should operate as the Dodgers' primary ninth-inning option until Diaz is healthy and the team is confident he's ready for higher-leverage work.

The Nationals claimed Waldron off waivers from the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Waldron has put up a 7.54 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 37 innings in the majors this season between San Diego and Toronto, but the Nationals will pick him up anyway to add a multi-inning arm to their bullpen. Connelly Early (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL to create room for Waldron on the 40-man roster.

Manager Craig Stammen said that Pivetta (forearm) threw two innings in a bridge league game Thursday at the Padres' spring training complex in Arizona, 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Stammen noted that Pivetta "felt great" during the outing and will throw a bullpen session before the Padres decide when the right-hander will make his next appearance in a game, either at the complex in Arizona or as part of a minor-league rehab assignment. Pivetta -- who has been on the shelf since April 14 due to a right forearm strain -- kicked off a rehab assignment at Single-A Lake Elsinore on Aug. 4 but tossed just 14 pitches before experiencing renewed tightness in his elbow. Though Pivetta is pitching in games again, he'll still need some time to build back up and is no longer looking likely to make it back from the 60-day injured list until September.

Yan (1-1) took the loss Friday against the White Sox after allowing two runs on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Yan entered for the ninth inning of a 4-4 game, and after issuing a leadoff walk, he retired two batters quickly before things unraveled. Jake Rogers launched a two-run homer to center field to end the game. It was the first loss of the season for Yan, who saw his ERA climb to 4.26. The left-hander, who made his MLB debut earlier this month, has given up three runs in his first 6.1 innings of big-league work while posting a 7:6 K:BB.

Manaea didn't factor in the decision Friday against the White Sox, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings.

Manaea cruised through five scoreless innings with a 4-0 lead before Chicago erased it in dramatic fashion. After a leadoff walk to Munetaka Murakami, the left-hander surrendered three consecutive home runs to Miguel Vargas, Randal Grichuk and Colson Montgomery to tie the game. Manaea still completed six innings, but he's now allowed four runs in consecutive starts, raising his ERA to 4.31. He's completed at least six frames in six straight outings, though Friday's sudden collapse spoiled what had been an excellent performance. He's scheduled to make his next start at home against the Brewers.

Zeferjahn (4-4) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while retiring two batters to take the loss in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning defeat to the Mariners.

Zeferjahn was tasked with working the bottom of the 10th inning in a 5-5 game, and he ended up serving up a walk-off single to Leo Rivas. It was the righty's first loss since he joined the Cubs at the trade deadline, with his last defeat coming back in May when he was with the Angels. Zeferjahn has struggled a bit with his new team, as he now has a 5.87 ERA and 1.96 WHIP across 7.2 innings in eight appearances. He does at least have a strong 12.9 K/9 in a Chicago uniform.

Gordon (0-4) took the loss against the Guardians on Friday, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Gordon re-entered the rotation for the first time since July 10 and opened with two quick innings before yielding at least one run in each frame that followed. The 28-year-old did throw a strong 62 of 82 pitches for strikes, but he surrendered one homer, and the Guardians made him pay with runners on base. He owns a 5.75 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 64:15 K:BB across 76.2 innings this season and lines up for a road matchup with the Nationals next week.