MLB Player News

Estevez pitched a perfect inning against the Mariners on Wednesday to earn a save.

Estevez needed just nine pitches to set the Mariners down in order and preserve a 2-1 victory. The right-hander continued his run of dominance, as he's now held the opponent without an earned run in 19 straight appearances covering 18.1 innings. Over that span, Estevez has gone 13-for-13 in save chances and has posted a minuscule 0.38 WHIP.

Liberatore (2-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs on four hits and three walks over three-plus innings as the Cardinals were downed 5-0 by the Pirates. He struck out three.

The southpaw got a spot start at the end of a stretch of six games in five days for St. Louis, but Liberatore hadn't pitched since July 14 and looked rusty as Pittsburgh ambushed him for four runs in the second inning, before he served up a solo shot to Rowdy Tellez to lead off the fourth. Liberatore tossed 69 pitches (43 strikes) before exiting, which will leave him unavailable out of the bullpen for a few more days. Through 55 innings this season, he carries a 4.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 44:20 K:BB.

Brieske (1-1) allowed one run on a hit and two walks in an inning of relief to take the loss Wednesday against the Guardians.

Brieske entered in the eighth inning of a 1-1 game and walked his first hitter. He later intentionally walked Jose Ramirez and had a chance to escape without any damage, but a seeing-eye single by Josh Naylor with two outs brought home the go-ahead run. It's encouraging that Brieske was trusted with high-leverage work despite struggling lately, as the righty has a 7.59 ERA across 10.2 innings this month. He now has a 4.46 ERA for the season and doesn't have a ton of fantasy upside in his bullpen role.

Atlanta optioned Logue to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Logue's contract was selected from Gwinnett in preparation for Wednesday's twin bill against the Reds, but the second game was rained out, so the 28-year-old will now return to Triple-A without appearing in a game. He'll keep his spot on the 40-man roster, however, and he could still be called upon to provide Atlanta with a fresh bullpen arm after posting a 3.08 ERA in 73 minor-league innings.

Atlanta returned Hernandez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Hernandez was named as Atlanta's 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader but was not needed, as the nightcap was postponed due to rain. The 27-year-old right-hander has thrown 9.2 scoreless innings while striking out 12 batters during his time in the majors this season and owns a 2.48 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 29 frames in Triple-A.

The Dodgers designated Vanasco for assignment Wednesday.

The Dodgers optioned Vanasco to Triple-A on July 14, and the 25-year-old righty will now lose his spot on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Nick Ahmed, who signed a major-league deal with the team on Wednesday. Vanasco owns a 3.47 ERA and 1.73 WHIP through 23.1 innings in Triple-A on the year, and it's possible he attracts some interest on waivers from teams in need of bullpen depth.

Wilson pitched four innings of relief in Wednesday's win versus the Cubs, allowing one earned run on one hit and zero walks while striking out three. He did not factor into the decision.

Rob Zastryzny opened the game for the Brewers but only lasted one inning, allowing one earned run on four hits while throwing 38 pitches. This forced Wilson to throw multiple innings for the first time since July 6. The right-hander was up to the task, however, allowing just a single baserunner in four innings of work. With the Milwaukee rotation still banged up, the 26-year-old will likely operate in a bulk relief role moving forward.

Neris (8-3) allowed a run on two hits over an inning of work to take the loss Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out two.

Neris allowed his first run since June 17, snapping a streak of nine straight scoreless appearances, as Milwaukee prevailed 3-2 late. The veteran reliever endured a rough patch last month, but his recent strong play should keep him locked into Chicago's closer role despite Wednesday's hiccup. He now has a 3.79 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 38 strikeouts across 35.2 innings this season, to go along with a team-high 14 saves.

Payamps picked up his fifth save of the season Wednesday against the Cubs, pitching a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.

Brewers closer Trevor Megill had pitched two of the previous three days leading up to Wednesday's game, resulting in Payamps coming on for the ninth inning. The 30-year-old held his own, striking out two batters while not allowing a baserunner. With Devin Williams (back) on the cusp of a return and Trevor Megill still in the mix, save chances for Payamps will be few and far between moving forward. The right-hander owns a 4.14 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP while converting five of seven save chances this season.

The Giants optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

With Robbie Ray (elbow) returning from the IL to start Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Rodriguez will be left without a spot on the Giants' pitching staff. The 24-year-old joined the big-league bullpen in early May and posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP while striking out 44 batters through his first 43 career MLB innings.