MLB Player News

Lawrence secured the save Saturday against the Orioles, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in a scoreless 10th inning.

Clayton Beeter kept Baltimore off the board with a scoreless ninth frame, and then Lawrence got the call for the 10th after Washington took the lead in the top of the inning. Lawrence, who was making his Nationals debut Saturday, has previous closing experience with the Rockies, though it's hard to envision him being trusted with consistent high-leverage work. Lawrence has a 7.76 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 37:22 K:BB over 29 innings between the Pirates, Twins and the Nats this year.

Rolison will work as the Cubs' opening pitcher Sunday versus Milwaukee, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Rolison has one opening appearance so far this season, retiring all four batters he faced against the Giants on June 13. He's tossed fewer than two frames in each of his 10 outings so far in June, so the left-hander presumably won't work deep into Sunday's matchup. The Cubs haven't designated a bulk reliever to enter the game behind Rolison, though Bryse Wilson had recently been serving as a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Phillies organization before the Cubs scooped him up off waivers Wednesday.

Rangel (0-1) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over four innings.

Rangel pitched well early but unraveled in a four-run sixth inning he was unable to escape. Through three outings with the Phillies this season, the 28-year-old owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB across 12 innings. He gave up just one run in each of his first two appearances. Should he remain in the club's rotation plans, he'd line up for a home matchup against the Pirates next week.

Perez will serve as the Mets' opening pitcher for Sunday's contest against Philadelphia, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Perez began the campaign with Washington before joining the Mets on a minor-league deal in early May. The lefty hurler was brought up to the big-league club May 30 and has appeared in 10 contests, posting a 3.68 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 14:1 K:BB over 14.2 innings. Perez hasn't tossed more than 32 pitches in an outing this season, so the Mets are unlikely to have him cover more than an inning or two before he turns the game over to the bullpen. Both Tobias Myers and Kodai Senga are available on four days' rest and could be candidates to cover multiple innings in relief.

Petty earned the save in Saturday's 9-7 win over the Pirates, allowing no hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Petty was called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and needed just 12 pitches to collect his first major-league save. The 23-year-old has been strong since being recalled June 10, allowing just one earned run in six outings during that stretch. He owns a 3.72 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 8:2 K across 19.1 innings with the Reds this season, though he likely won't factor into the closer mix once Emilio Pagan (hamstring) returns from his current rehab assignment.

Pivetta (forearm) has advanced to playing long toss and could soon begin throwing off a mound, MLB.com reports.

Pivetta has been sidelined by a right flexor strain since mid-April. The right-handed hurler began a throwing program in late May, but he's yet to start up mound work. With that big step potentially looming, Pivetta appears to be making tangible progress in his recovery. Nonetheless, he's not expected to return to San Diego's rotation until sometime after the All-Star break.

Soto (4-2) blew a save and took the loss against the Reds on Saturday, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks with one strikeout in the ninth inning.

Soto was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and surrendered a go-ahead, three-run homer with two outs. It continued a rough June for the 31-year-old, who's yielded runs in four of eight outings and owns a 12.15 ERA for the month. On the year, he's 11-for-15 in save chances with a 3.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 34.1 innings.

Palencia (elbow) is progressing in his rehab from elbow tendinitis, but he won't be activated from the injured list until after the All-Star break, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Palencia landed on the injured list June 16 and hasn't thrown since. Per MLB.com, the righty reliever could begin a throwing program at the beginning of the coming week, but he's nonetheless expected to remain out of action until after the All-Star break. Jacob Webb and Trent Thornton have each logged saves since Palencia went down, and Caleb Thielbar is also in the temporary closer mix.

Milner (abdomen) will be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing emergency appendectomy surgery on Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Milner will miss a chunk of time after undergoing emergency surgery to address appendicitis Friday. If the 35-year-old misses the minimum four weeks, he could be back by the end of July. The Cubs bullpen has been heavily dismayed by injuries this season as Daniel Palencia (elbow), Phil Maton (knee), Riley Martin (elbow) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) are among their relievers currently on the injured list.

The Cubs recalled Ferguson from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Ferguson was sent back to Triple-A after throwing two shutout innings during Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, but he'll now rejoin the big club to replace Hoby Milner (abdomen). The 32-year-old Ferguson will likely be limited to low-leverage opportunities while with the Cubs.