MLB Player News

Ferguson did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one hit and zero walks over a scoreless inning against the Guardians.

Ferguson opened the game for the Dodgers and retired the first two batters he faced before hitting Kole Calhoun with a pitch. He also allowed a single in the inning but was able to work his way out of the jam before being relieved by Ryan Yarbrough to open the second. The reliever has not allowed a run in six of his last appearances, though he's also recorded just two strikeouts over that stretch.

Lambert did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk over five innings against the Rays. He struck out six.

Lambert got taken deep by Luke Raley on a hanging four-seamer to lead off the bottom of the second and was again victimized by the outfielder in the fourth, this time on a triple, before the latter came around to score a second time. Those would be the only two runs allowed by Lambert on the afternoon as he made it through at least five innings for the third consecutive start. The right-hander has allowed at least one home run in each of his last four starts and now carries a 5.19 ERA in August. On a positive note, he's issued just one walk in each of his last three outings, striking out 15 over that stretch.

Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings.

Finnegan entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and made things interesting by allowing singles to Oswald Peraza and Gleyber Torres. Peraza would then come around to score on a Giancarlo Stanton two-out single, but Finnegan was able to retire the next batter and escape with his 23rd save of the season. The right-hander has converted his last 12 save opportunities, though he's also allowed a run in three of his last four appearances.

Sewald recorded a save against Cincinnati on Thursday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

Sewald came on in the top of the ninth frame with Arizona holding a tenuous one-run lead. He issued a free pass with one out but retired the next two batters to seal the deal. Sewald blew his first save opportunity with Arizona on Aug. 6 but has gone a perfect 7-for-7 since, posting eight scoreless innings and a 9:5 K:BB over that span.

Alzolay allowed an unearned run in the 10th inning but managed to secure the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Pirates.

Pittsburgh scored their automatic runner following a ground out and a sacrifice fly, but Alzolay comfortably got through the 10th inning on 13 pitches. He's up to 20 saves, including one in each of the last two days. Alzolay has yet to pitch three days in a row this season, so he may not be available if the Cubs have a save opportunity Friday.

Palencia (4-0) worked around two walks to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win in Thursday's 10-inning win over the Pirates.

Palencia got into some trouble in the ninth inning but managed to keep his record spotless. The rookie earned a win in his MLB debut back on July 4, and he's now compiled a 4.30 ERA across 14.2 innings. Despite grabbing a few wins in relief, Palencia doesn't have a ton of fantasy appeal with his role in the middle of Chicago's bullpen.

Jackson allowed two runs on six hits while striking out two over six innings in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs.

Jackson allowed a pair of runs in the second inning after Rob Zastryzny worked the opening frame. However, the 27-year-old Jackson would settle in and blank the Cubs over his final five innings, allowing just two additional hits. Since joining the Pirates in early August, the 27-year-old right-hander has worked to a 3.32 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 19 innings. It remains to be seen if Pittsburgh will deploy Jackson as a traditional starter, though he's currently lined up to pitch early next week in Kansas City.

Pittsburgh transferred Perdomo (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on Thursday.

Perdomo was placed on the 15-day IL this past Sunday due to left elbow discomfort and is now officially done for the remainder of the 2023 season. Rob Zastryzny will fill the vacated 40-man roster spot as he joins the Pirates' bullpen ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Cubs.

Pittsburgh optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Ramirez tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief Wednesday against the Cardinals, but the Pirates will call up a fresh bullpen arm in left-hander Rob Zastryzny ahead of Thursday's series opener versus the Cubs.

The Cubs optioned Rucker to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Keegan Thompson is up to replace him in Chicago's bullpen ahead of Thursday's series opener versus the Pirates. Rucker, 29, has registered a 4.91 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 40:19 K:BB over 40.1 innings of relief this year in the majors.