MLB Player News

Sewald gave up two runs on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning, taking a blown save in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Reds.

Sewald has mostly danced around danger effectively since he was traded from Seattle, but he couldn't do it Saturday. A Tyler Stephenson RBI double and a Matt McLain groundout produced the pair of runs on Sewald's line in his second blown save in nine chances with the Diamondbacks. He's now at a 3.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 72:21 K:BB through 52.2 innings on the year while converting 28 of 33 save chances.

Avila (0-1) took the loss against Milwaukee on Saturday, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings.

Avila got a chance to take a turn in the rotation Saturday after pitching to a 1.17 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB over his first 23 big-league innings (primarily in long relief) this season. The move looked like it could be a wise one when the right-hander began with four scoreless frames, but the Brewers racked up four hits and a walk while recording just one out against him in the fifth, with all five baserunners ultimately coming around to score. It's worth noting that the first two knocks against Avila in the fifth frame were an infield single and a bunt single, but the inning was disastrous for him nonetheless. It's unclear if he'll get another chance to start or return to a bullpen role in his next outing.

Williams earned a save against the Padres on Saturday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Williams entered in the bottom of the ninth with the Brewers holding a one-run lead, and he had no trouble with the bottom of San Diego's lineup, retiring the side in order on 14 pitches. The right-hander punched out two Padres in the outing and has now struck out multiple batters in four of his past six appearances. Williams continues to stand out as one of MLB's top closers, recording 31 saves in 34 chances while registering a 1.46 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 74:23 K:BB over 49.1 frames.

Sims struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings win over the Diamondbacks.

Sims took care of business in the 11th inning after Alexis Diaz and the Reds' shaky defense combined to blow a save chance in the 10th. This was Sims' third save of the season to go with 21 holds and four blown saves in 53 appearances. He's posted three consecutive scoreless appearances, and he's now at a 3.70 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 63:32 K:BB through 48.2 innings this season. The right-hander remains a solid setup man, but it would take a brutal slump from Diaz for Sims to be considered for closing duties.

Diaz (6-4) allowed three unearned runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over one inning, taking a blown save but earning the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

A Matt McLain error in the 10th inning allowed the Diamondbacks to extend a rally, erasing the Reds' three-run lead. Cincinnati retook the lead in the 11th, and Lucas Sims secured the save to allow Diaz to back into a win. Diaz has allowed seven runs (three earned) across 9.1 innings while posting a 9:7 K:BB in August -- shaky work for one of the better closers in the game this year. He's at a 2.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 77:27 K:BB through 56.2 innings while going 34-for-36 in save chances.

Alzolay struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Saturday's 10-6 win over the Pirates.

Daniel Palencia was tasked with protecting a four-run lead in the ninth inning, but he walked two while collecting two outs. With Bryan Reynolds up to bat, manager David Ross tasked Alzolay with ending the threat. This was Alzolay's 21st save in 22 chances this season, and he's converted 17 chances in a row. For the season, he's maintained a 2.64 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB over 58 innings.

Wicks (1-0) allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out nine over five innings to earn the win Saturday over the Pirates.

Wicks made his MLB debut Saturday and showed some nerves in allowing Ke'Bryan Hayes to hit a leadoff home run to begin the bottom of the first inning. Two more reached base after that, but Wicks then retired 15 in a row before Hayden Wesneski pitched the sixth. Wicks posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 99:32 K:BB over 91.1 innings across 20 starts between Double-A and Triple-A prior to his call-up. The 23-year-old southpaw likely earned another start with Saturday's effort, so he can be tentatively penciled in to pitch at Cincinnati next week.

Ferguson will serve as an opener for the Dodgers on Sunday in Boston, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Gavin Stone will be the primary pitcher for the Dodgers, but he'll be preceded by Ferguson. It will be the fourth opener assignment this season for Ferguson, who allowed one run in three innings over his first three outings as an opener.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

With Zach Davies (back) returning from the injured list, Martinez will end up being the roster casualty. The 22-year-old gave up six runs over 4.2 innings and picked up his first career save after he was recalled Aug. 17.

Burdi (abdomen) is dealing with ulnar nerve irritation and will be shut down from his rehab assignment and re-evaluated in a few days, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Burdi initially landed on the injured list in May after undergoing an appendectomy. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 8 and gave up two runs across 3.1 innings over four appearances between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Triple-A Iowa, but he hadn't pitched in a week before the Cubs provided an explanation on the matter. A better timeline for his return should emerge once he's evaluated during the week.