MLB Player News

Webb (6-3) took the loss and blew the save Saturday against the Mariners, allowing three runs on three hits and no walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Summoned to protect a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning, Webb served up a walk-off, two-run homer to Randy Arozarena. While Webb has fared admirably as the Cubs' closer and hadn't experienced much of a hitch in quite some time -- he was last scored upon June 20 versus Toronto prior to Saturday -- it wouldn't be surprising if Daniel Palencia, who just got back from the injured list, sees the club's next save opportunity. Through 57.2 innings, Webbs sports a 2.65 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 64:20 K:BB with eight holds plus nine saves (14 attempts)

Faucher worked a perfect ninth inning Saturday without striking out a batter to record his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Nationals.

Pete Fairbanks tossed 25 pitches Friday and likely wasn't available, so closing duties fell to Faucher, and he got the job done. Faucher has a pristine 0.00 ERA in August, producing a 0.78 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB over 7.2 innings, but he had zero wins, saves or holds on the month coming into Saturday.

Ashby gave up two hits in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 4-1 win over Atlanta. He didn't strike out a batter.

With Trevor Megill having pitched Thursday and Friday, Ashby got the call in a save situation Saturday and wrapped things up on 21 pitches (15 strikes). Both of his saves have come while Abner Uribe (forearm) has been on the IL, and with the right-hander seemingly on track to return next week, Ashby's window to handle closing duties when Megill is unavailable could be about to close. Ashby's been providing fantasy value even without the saves, posting a 0.00 ERA through 11.1 innings in August with a 1.06 WHIP, 18:5 K:BB, one win and three holds.

Varland gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 29th save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Yankees.

New York did all its scoring in the seventh and eighth innings, but Varland snuffed out the rally on 21 pitches (12 strikes). The right-hander has converted five straight save chances, and over 20.1 innings since the beginning of July he's produced a 1.77 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Diaz (neck) will move into a lower-leverage role once he returns from the injured list, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Diaz has given up 18 earned runs in just 13.2 innings with the Dodgers this season, so the team will plan to give him what Roberts termed as a "softer landing" once he's healthy with the goal of eventually having him reclaim the closer's role. The 32-year-old righty landed on the injured list Tuesday due to neck inflammation, but he threw a bullpen session Saturday and is expected to return around the time he's eligible to be activated Sept. 2. Tanner Scott should operate as the Dodgers' primary ninth-inning option until Diaz is healthy and the team is confident he's ready for higher-leverage work.

The Nationals claimed Waldron off waivers from the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Waldron has put up a 7.54 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 37 innings in the majors this season between San Diego and Toronto, but the Nationals will pick him up anyway to add a multi-inning arm to their bullpen. Connelly Early (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL to create room for Waldron on the 40-man roster.

Manager Craig Stammen said that Pivetta (forearm) threw two innings in a bridge league game Thursday at the Padres' spring training complex in Arizona, 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Stammen noted that Pivetta "felt great" during the outing and will throw a bullpen session before the Padres decide when the right-hander will make his next appearance in a game, either at the complex in Arizona or as part of a minor-league rehab assignment. Pivetta -- who has been on the shelf since April 14 due to a right forearm strain -- kicked off a rehab assignment at Single-A Lake Elsinore on Aug. 4 but tossed just 14 pitches before experiencing renewed tightness in his elbow. Though Pivetta is pitching in games again, he'll still need some time to build back up and is no longer looking likely to make it back from the 60-day injured list until September.

Pearson earned the save Friday against the Tigers after pitching a scoreless ninth inning, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one.

Pearson was handed a three-run lead in the ninth and worked around some late traffic to secure Kansas City's sixth consecutive victory. The right-hander allowed two runners to reach but stranded both, striking out Dillon Dingler to end the game and collect his third save of the season. Pearson owns a 2.56 ERA and has worked his way into high-leverage situations for the Royals. Since joining Kansas City on July 22, Pearson has posted a 0.77 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with a 10:5 K:BB across 11.2 innings, recording two holds and going 2-for-3 in save opportunities.

Taylor (5-2) walked one and struck out two over a hitless and scoreless ninth inning to earn the win in Friday's 6-4 victory over the Mets.

Taylor entered with the game tied 4-4 and worked around a leadoff walk to keep New York off the board, setting the stage for Jake Rogers' walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth. The right-hander needed 15 pitches (10 strikes) to complete the frame and lowered his ERA to 2.01. Taylor remains one of Chicago's primary late-inning arms, and over his last eight outings, he has one win and three holds while going 2-for-4 in save chances and posting a 0.94 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB.

Yan (1-1) took the loss Friday against the White Sox after allowing two runs on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Yan entered for the ninth inning of a 4-4 game, and after issuing a leadoff walk, he retired two batters quickly before things unraveled. Jake Rogers launched a two-run homer to center field to end the game. It was the first loss of the season for Yan, who saw his ERA climb to 4.26. The left-hander, who made his MLB debut earlier this month, has given up three runs in his first 6.1 innings of big-league work while posting a 7:6 K:BB.