MLB Player News
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Huascar Brazoban RP | NYM
Mets' Huascar Brazoban: Back in minors
The Mets optioned Brazoban to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
After pitching 3.1 shutout innings Friday, Brazoban will be sent back to the minors in favor of a fresh arm in the form of Dom Hamel. The 35-year-old Brazoban owns a 3.67 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with the Mets this season, which helps his chances of returning to Queens before the end of the regular season.
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Anthony DeSclafani RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Anthony DeSclafani: Works in relief after activation
DeSclafani (thumb) has made a lone relief appearance since being activated from the 15-day injured list Sunday, covering three innings and allowing four earned runs on four hits and no walks while striking out two in Monday's 11-5 loss to the Giants.
DeSclafani had briefly served as the Diamondbacks' No. 5 starter prior to landing on the injured list Aug. 13 due to right thumb inflammation, but Arizona has opted to keep Nabil Crismatt in the rotation over DeSclafani since the latter pitcher's activation. After the 35-year-old righty was lit up in his first relief outing upon returning from the IL, he's unlikely to garner consideration for a spot start over the final two weeks of the regular season unless an injury forces Arizona to alter its rotation.
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Bubba Chandler P | PIT
Pirates' Bubba Chandler: Awarded another start
Chandler is slated to start Saturday's game against the Nationals in Washington.
After turning in a shiny 2.25 ERA and 0.83 WHIP over 12 innings across three bulk-relief appearances to begin his time in the big leagues, Chandler was handed his first MLB start this past Sunday against the Brewers. The 22-year-old righty was handily knocked around by the NL Central leaders, lasting just 2.2 innings in a 10-2 loss while yielding nine earned runs on nine hits and three walks. Despite the wretched outing, Chandler will be deployed as a starter once again Saturday, though another poor showing could prompt the Pirates to shift him back to his prior bulk-relief role.
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Jose Ferrer RP | WAS
Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Labors through ninth save
Ferrer picked up the save in Friday's 6-5 victory over the Pirates. He allowed two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning.
Ferrer was called upon to protect a 6-3 lead in the ninth inning Friday, and he needed the entirety of that cushion and was fortunate to escape with the save. The bumpy performance ended a string of 14 straight scoreless appearances, though he remains 9-for-9 in save chances since taking over as Washington's closer after the trade deadline.
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Brad Lord P | WAS
Nationals' Brad Lord: Quality start in no-decision
Lord did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks over six innings versus the Pirates. He struck out four.
After a three-start stretch in late August in which he surrendered a combined 17 earned runs, Lord has bounced back in his past two outings with a 3.09 ERA and 11:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings. The 25-year-old rookie has started in 16 of his 45 appearances for the Nationals this year and has a 4.21 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 96:39 K:BB across 115.1 innings. His next start tentatively lines up to come versus Atlanta.
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Andrew Kittredge RP | BAL
Cubs' Andrew Kittredge: Secures another save
Kittredge picked up the save Friday against the Rays, recording one strikeout while retiring all three batters he faced.
It's the second straight outing with a save for Kittredge, who appears to be manager Craig Counsell's top choice at closer with Daniel Palencia (shoulder) on the shelf. Brad Keller also seemed to be in the closer mix but has worked the eighth inning ahead of Kittredge in those two games.
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Victor Vodnik RP | COL
Rockies' Victor Vodnik: Hangs on for eighth save
Vodnik earned the save Friday against the Padres, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in the ninth inning. He struck out one.
Vodnik's scoreless streak was stopped at 11 appearances, but he survived to secure his eighth save of the season. With Seth Halvorsen (elbow) still on the injured list, Vodnik figures to continue splitting ninth-inning duties with Juan Mejia going forward. Through 46.1 innings, Vodnik holds a 3.11 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB while converting eight of his 12 save chances.
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Andrew Saalfrank RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Charged with blown save
Saalfrank blew the save Friday against the Twins, walking one in one-third of an inning.
It was Jake Woodford who was responsible for Minnesota's three runs in the ninth inning, and Saalfrank was unable to put out the fire while taking his second blown save of the year. Given that he came away with no earned runs, the 28-year-old southpaw should remain in the mix for saves going forward. Through 26 innings, Saalfrank has a 1.38 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while converting three of his five save opportunities.
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David Morgan P | SD
Padres' David Morgan: Heads to IL
The Padres placed Morgan on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Sept. 9, due to right shoulder inflammation.
Morgan has been a reliable arm for the Padres out of the bullpen this season, posting a 2.80 ERA across 45 innings. The 25-year-old rookie will head to the injured list Friday, and he'll be eligible to return Sept. 24, two days before the Padres' final regular-season game. Per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, Morgan intends to return once eligible, and his placement on the IL was precautionary. JP Sears was recalled from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move.
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Trevor Megill RP | MIL
Brewers' Trevor Megill: Hits minor snag in recovery
Megill (elbow) didn't recover as well as anticipated after his most recent bullpen session but will throw another bullpen Saturday before facing possibly batters next week, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Megill has been working his way back from a right flexor strain, and while he didn't recover as well as he hoped, his timeline for return doesn't seem to have changed much. His initial plan was to return Tuesday, but a return later next week seems more likely given his tentatively scheduled live BP session.