MLB Player News

Hader earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays, allowing no hits and one walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

Hader was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and worked around a one-out walk to close things out. In 10 appearances since returning from the injured list June 3, the 32-year-old has converted all six of his save opportunities while posting a 0.90 ERA, 0.40 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB across 10 innings. After missing the first couple months of the season due to a bicep injury, Hader has quickly reminded everyone that he's one of the top closers in MLB.

Duran earned the save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Nationals, striking out three in a perfect ninth inning.

It was another dominant ninth inning from Duran, as he struck out the side to lock down his 19th save this season. Since taking his first blown save on June 9, Duran's responded with five straight scoreless innings, logging 10 strikeouts in that span. His ERA is down to 1.69 through 26.2 innings this season with a 0.94 WHIP and 43:5 K:BB.

Legumina will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher Thursday against the Royals, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Legumina has given up two earned runs across his last two outings, but the Rays will trust him to handle the beginning of Thursday's series finale nonetheless. The 29-year-old was able to record five outs before being pulled during his last opening assignment, and he'll presumably remain in the game Thursday for a similar amount of time before turning the ball over to bulk reliever Ian Seymour.

Baker earned the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Royals, allowing a run on one hit while striking out two in the ninth inning.

Baker gave up a solo home run to Josh Rojas with one out in the ninth that cut Tampa Bay's lead to two, but the right-hander rebounded to set down the next two Royals and pick up his 20th save this season. The homer marked the first run that Baker has given up in his last 13 innings. He's been excellent overall this season, posting a 2.01 ERA with 0.89 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Jax (3-5) earned the win Wednesday over the Royals, allowing two unearned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out seven.

It was a strong outing for Jax, as he set a season high with seven strikeouts. The right-hander has been excellent of late, allowing just two earned runs across 20 innings in his last four starts while posting a 21:4 K:BB. Since moving into Tampa's rotation, Jax has posted a 2.27 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 11 starts (43.2 innings). He's tentatively lined up for a rematch with the Royals on the road his next time out.

Assad (6-1) picked up the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander collected the victory in his third straight start and fifth straight winning decision despite serving up homers to Jared Young and Francisco Alvarez in the fourth inning, as the Cubs outslugged the home squad 10-3. Assad has been impressive since rejoining the big-league rotation in early June, and over four starts this month he's delivered a 1.96 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 23 innings. He'll look to stay locked in for his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home early next week against the Padres.

Fairbanks recorded his 12th save of the season Wednesday in a 4-2 win over the Rangers, giving up one run on one hit. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The right-hander was taken deep by Joc Pederson for a second straight day, but Fairbanks otherwise cruised through the ninth inning on 13 pitches (10 strikes). Despite his success in save chances -- he's converted six straight and is 12-for-14 on the year -- Fairbanks has looked shaky in June, serving up three homers and getting scored upon in four of 10 appearances while compiling a 5.58 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over 9.2 innings.

The Giants optioned Beck to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Beck has pitched 2.2 scoreless innings since being recalled from Triple-A on June 14, but he'll now end up as the odd man out of a roster spot to make room for Tyler Mahle's (hamstring) return from the IL. Beck has given up eight earned runs over 10.2 innings in the big leagues this season and will remain an option to return to San Francisco later in the year when the big club needs a fresh arm.

Lopez will start Friday's game against the Giants, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Lopez began the season in Atlanta's rotation but was moved to the bullpen in April after posting a 3.74 ERA and 1.43 WHIP alongside a 20:11 K:BB over 21.2 innings across five starts. He'll now get another chance to work as a starter following JR Ritchie's demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett, though Lopez's first opportunity will come against a Giants offense that's posted a .799 OPS since the beginning of June. The 32-year-old threw just 58 pitches across three innings during his most recent appearance Sunday, and he said Wednesday that he'll likely have a similar workload during his upcoming start, per Bowman.

The Cubs designated Roa for assignment Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The transaction makes space on the roster for waiver claim Bryse Wilson. Roa was a waiver claim himself last month, and he's turned in a 7.71 ERA and 20:7 K:BB over 11.2 frames at Triple-A Iowa.