MLB Player News

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.

Single-A Dunedin placed Barriera on its 7-day injured list Aug. 3 due to biceps soreness, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Barriera, the No. 23 overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, dealt with a shoulder issue in spring training, was shut down again after a May 25 start due to elbow soreness, and now has been shut down again after his velocity was down during a two-inning appearance July 29. Given that he's a hard-throwing 19-year-old with several recent arm injuries, his risk of needing some sort of surgery before advancing to the upper levels of the minors is extreme. All told, he logged a 3.98 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 20.1 innings across Single-A and the rookie-level Florida Complex League this season.

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.

Ferguson will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher in Thursday's later game at Cleveland, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ferguson was not needed in the resumption of Wednesday's suspended game, so he'll get the call to kick off the Dodgers' regularly-scheduled tilt versus the Guardians, likely covering only the first inning before giving way to bulk pitcher Ryan Pepiot. Ferguson, 27, carries a 2.87 ERA and 54:20 K:BB across 47 innings this season with Los Angeles.

The Twins recalled Balazovic from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

With Oliver Ortega (back) headed to the injured list, Balazovic will come up from the minors to fill the opening in Minnesota's bullpen. The 24-year-old righty has made 18 appearances with the Twins this season, putting up a 4.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through 24.1 innings, and he will likely serve in middle relief while in the majors.

The Twins placed Ortega on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left lumbar strain, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ortega was forced out of his appearance Tuesday against Milwaukee after experiencing tightness in his back during the seventh inning. Now, he'll be sidelined for at least two weeks as he recovers. Jordan Balazovic was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.