MLB Player News

Scott (7-4) blew the save but picked up the win in Friday's 8-5 extra-innings victory over the Nationals, giving up two unearned runs on two hits over two frames. He struck out one.

The southpaw couldn't stop the phantom runner from scoring in both the 10th and 11th innings, but a four-run eruption by the Marlins in the top of the 11th gave Scott plenty of cushion. He still hasn't been tagged for an earned run since July 31, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB through 13 innings over the last month, and at least for the moment, Scott appears to be the answer for Miami at closer.

Diaz (7-4) picked up the win in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

The Cincy closer got the call in the top of the ninth with his team down 2-1 at home, and he was rewarded with the win when the Reds staged a rally against his Chicago counterpart Adbert Alzolay. Diaz has collected four of his seven wins (plus two of his 35 saves) over his last seven appearances as Cincinnati tries to secure a playoff spot, a stretch in which he has a 0.00 ERA and 0.91 WHIP despite a 7:5 K:BB.

Alzolay (2-5) blew his third save of the season and took the loss in the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Reds, giving up two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

The right-hander's rough outing was kicked off by a Nick Martini solo shot. Alzolay has blown his last two save chances, and since the beginning of August he has a 4.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings. The first-year closer likely isn't in any danger of losing his job just yet, but with the Cubs in a dogfight to secure a playoff spot, manager David Ross may not have the luxury of patience. Mark Leiter (2.08 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 18:4 K:BB in 13 IP over the last month) or Julian Merryweather (1.80 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 21:5 K:BB in 15 IP during that stretch) could get looks in the ninth if Alzolay continues to fade.

Thompson recorded his first save of the season in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Reds, giving up one run on two hits over two innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander was brought in to work the eighth inning with the Cubs protecting a 4-1 lead, and then stayed in the game after they tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the ninth. It's Thompson's second appearance since he rejoined the big-league bullpen in late August, and he's worked two innings in each with an impressive 7:0 K:BB. Friday's usage suggests he could be moving into a high-leverage role, but the 28-year-old is no threat to Adbert Alzolay's job as closer.

Jameson (elbow) is throwing out to 100 feet and could throw a bullpen session next week, MLB.com reports.

Jameson, who was diagnosed with a sprained UCL, has elected rehab over Tommy John surgery. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo has yet to rule out a return this season.

Romero (4-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings to take the loss Friday versus the Pirates.

Romero pitched around trouble in the ninth inning, but he wasn't so fortunate in the 10th. The Pirates were able to put up a three-run rally again him, and the Cardinals couldn't pull even in their half of the frame. With Ryan Helsley (forearm) back in action, it was a terrible time for Romero to have a poor outing. The lefty compiled a 2.51 ERA, 20:1 K:BB and 0.84 WHIP over 14.1 innings in August while part of a closer committee for the last-place Cardinals. He has a 3.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB through 36.2 innings while adding three saves, three holds and two blown saves. Despite the poor outing, Romero should continue to fill a high-leverage role for manager Oliver Marmol.

Yates walked one and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Dodgers.

Raisel Iglesias had pitched three consecutive days entering Friday, allowing Yates a rare save chance. He got the job done on 21 pitches (14 strikes). Yates has three saves, eight holds and three blown saves with a 7-1 record, 2.73 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 69:34 K:BB through 52.2 innings this season in a high-leverage role.

Beck (3-3) allowed six runs on nine hits while failing to record a strikeout or walk over 2.2 innings as he took the loss Friday versus the Padres.

This was Beck's second straight start, but he didn't fare very well. The Padres tagged him for two home runs in the first inning and piled on the offense over the next two frames before Alex Wood was brought in to mop up. Entering Friday, it seemed Beck had secured a spot in the Giants' ever-evolving rotation, but his role may be in doubt after such a lackluster performance. He's at a 4.12 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 62:19 K:BB through 74.1 innings across 30 appearances this season. If he sticks as a starter, he could be an option for a road outing versus the Cubs next week.

Sewald allowed a hit and struck out two over one scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Orioles.

Sewald had a couple of rough outings in August, but he's mostly been steady since he was acquired from the Mariners. The right-hander threw 16 pitches (11 strikes) in Friday's outing, his first action since a blown save last Saturday. For the season, he's 29-for-34 in save chances while posting a 3.19 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 74:21 K:BB through 53.2 innings.

Bednar tossed one inning Friday, allowing an unearned run on his way to a save in a 4-2 extra-inning win over the Cardinals.

Bednar was called upon to protect a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the 10th and retired all three batters he faced, though the phantom runner on second base came around to score after a couple sacrifice flies. The save was the right-hander's 30th of the season and he has now converted seven straight save chances since suffering a blown save Aug. 8 versus Atlanta. Since that miscue, Bednar has posted a 2.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with six punchouts in eight appearances out of Pittsburgh's bullpen.