MLB Player News

Hader recorded a one-out save in Tuesday's victory over the Royals.

The Brewers had a four-run lead entering the ninth inning and still held that margin at the end of the contest, but because fellow reliever Jacob Barnes created a save situation by allowing two runners to reach base, and left-hander Alex Gordon was due up, manager Craig Counsell brought in Hader instead of Corey Knebel, and Hader ultimately shut the door after just two pitches. The save was Hader's first since May 11, and Knebel remains the Brewers' top option to close games moving forward.

Hernandez (0-5) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks across four innings while taking the loss Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. He struck out eight.

Hernandez hadn't recorded more than three strikeouts in a single outing this season, but he threw first-pitch strikes to 15 of 19 batters faced as he comfortably set a new career high in that category. Both runs came via back-to-back RBI doubles in the third inning which followed a hit batsman, but he was able to escape the frame and complete one more before his removal. Hernandez started in part due to Jose Urena's shoulder injury, but the latter could be back when he's first eligible, meaning Hernandez's time in the rotation could be coming to a close.

Iglesias tossed 1.1 scoreless innings to earn his 14th save of the season Tuesday against the Braves, allowing one hit and a pair of walks with one strikeout.

Atlanta mounted an offensive charge to pull within a pair of runs in the eighth inning before Iglesias came on to record the final out. He allowed two men to reach in the ninth, but one was erased by a double-play as he closed out the victory. Though saves are hard to come by for Iglesias at times, he's blown just two chances this season and owns an impressive 2.14 ERA to go along with a 1.07 WHIP.

Boxberger struck out one in a scoreless inning of work to earn his 18th save of the season Tuesday against the Marlins.

Boxberger worked efficiently in this one, throwing seven of 11 pitches for strikes as he sat down the side in order. He blew consecutive save opportunities last week, but he's bounced back with a pair of scoreless outings. Boxberger still has a 3.49 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, and will need to enjoy some sustained success to hang on to his job title.

Ottavino (3-1) was tagged with the loss Tuesday, allowing a run on one hits and three walks while striking out two over 1.2 innings against the Giants.

Ottavino inherited a one-run lead and a bases-loaded, one-out jam when he came on in the seventh and allowed just one to score, but then found himself in more trouble in the eighth. After a strikeout to start the frame, the 32-year-old allowed a single and three walks (one intentional) to allow the winning run to come home. This will likely prove to be just a blip on the radar, as Ottavino has been terrific this season, allowing an earned run in just three of his 33 appearances en route to a 1.00 ERA and 56:14 K:BB over 36 innings.

Hand struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to earn the save against the Rangers, giving up two hits without issuing a walk.

Hand threw 18 pitches (13 strikes) to retire the Rangers and secure his 22nd save of the year. Hand had been scored upon in three of his previous four appearances (with two blown saves), so Tuesday's outing was a nice return to form. The lefty is 22-for-26 in save opportunities with a 2.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 57:15 K:BB in 39.1 innings.

Edwards (shoulder) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Tuesday and could soon advance to a rehab stint, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Edwards tossed a bullpen session Sunday without issue and the team is having him get in at least one more before determining the next steps. The flamethrowing righty has been out since late May, so he'll probably need a few minor-league rehab outings before returning to the MLB roster. When Edwards does rejoin the Cubs, he should resume his high-leverage role in the late innings.

Underwood was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Underwood was effective over four innings Monday in his major-league debut, but he was only needed for the lone spot start, so the Cubs decided to send him back to Iowa in order to continue starting every five days. He will garner consideration the next time the club needs to bring up an arm from the minor-league ranks.

Vizcaino (shoulder) expects to be activated from the disabled list Sunday when first eligible, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Vizcaino is going to have to make it through the rest of the week without issue if he hopes to return Sunday, but he said his shoulder has improved of late, and he will test things by playing catch Tuesday.

The Braves optioned Sims to Triple-A Gwinnett after Monday's game, according to 680 The Fan.

Sims was just called up over the weekend, but he will be replaced by a fresh arm in Matt Wisler after being tagged for two earned runs while throwing an inning in Monday's contest. Sims has been shuffled between Triple-A and the majors all season, so he will likely be back with the big club again at some point this summer.