MLB Player News

Diaz earned the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Mariners, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with two strikeouts over two innings.

Diaz was tasked with a two-inning save and converted despite giving up a solo homer in the ninth. The 31-year-old has surrendered long balls in two of his past three outings, but those are the only earned runs he's allowed over his last 22 appearances dating back to June 6. On the year, he's 24-for-26 in save chances with a 1.69 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 70:17 K:BB across 48 innings.

Ferrer gave up a hit and struck out two in two scoreless innings Saturday to record his second save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Phillies.

Cade Cavalli brought right-handed heat for seven innings Saturday, so the Nationals turned to the southpaw Ferrer for the final two frames to wrap up an impressive combined shutout. The 25-year-old has been scored upon only once in his last 10 appearances, posting a 1.50 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB over 12 innings during that stretch while collecting two wins, two saves and three holds. Given his usage Saturday, and the fact that Ferrer has pitched on three of the last four days, expect Cole Henry to get the call Sunday should Washington have a late lead to protect.

Scott exited Saturday's game against the Yankees in the sixth inning with an ankle injury, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Scott was initially injured while trying to rob an Aaron Judge home run in the top of the third inning and was eventually lifted in favor of Garrett Hampson in the bottom of the sixth frame. Prior to exiting, Scott went 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI single and one run scored.

McLean earned the win in his MLB debut in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Mariners, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out eight over 5.1 scoreless innings.

McLean's first big-league start went about as well as the Mets could have hoped, as he fired 55 of 91 pitches for strikes while generating 11 whiffs and limiting the Mariners to four hard-hit balls. Per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, McLean joined Matt Harvey as the only Mets pitchers to record eight strikeouts and a win in a scoreless debut. According to Ben Krimmel of SNY.tv, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza all but confirmed that the 24-year-old righty will get another turn through the rotation, which will likely fall next weekend in Atlanta. McLean's standing in the rotation beyond that may hinge on how he performs, as Tylor Megill (elbow) is in the midst of a rehab assignment and could displace McLean as the club's fifth starter once he's activated from the injured list.

Cavalli (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-0 victory over the Phillies, allowing seven hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

It's been a long road back to the big leagues for Cavalli after he made his debut for the Nationals in 2022 and then dealt with serious arm issues, but Saturday he looked like the potential future ace the club thought it was getting when he was selected 22nd overall in the 2020 Draft. Cavalli racked up 32 called or swinging strikes among his 90 pitches (63 total strikes), and he topped out at 99.7 mph on a first-inning sinker to Bryce Harper while still sitting comfortably in 97-98 mph range against the final batter he faced, Edmundo Sosa. Through three starts since his promotion in early August, the 27-year-old righty has a 2.20 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB over 16.1 innings as he stakes a claim to a 2026 rotation spot. He lines up to make his next trip to the mound on the road next weekend in a rematch with the Phillies.

Walker (4-6) took the loss Saturday as the Phillies fell 2-0 to the Nationals, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.

The veteran righty fired 60 of 94 pitches for strikes en route to his third straight quality start, but Philadelphia's hitters couldn't solve Washington starter Cade Cavalli, giving Walker no margin for error. He appeared set to lose his rotation spot with Aaron Nola (ribs) poised to come off the IL on Sunday, but with Zack Wheeler now dealing with a blood clot in his shoulder, the Phillies will need Walker to remain in his current role. Over six outings since the All-Star break, Walker sports a 2.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB in 33.1 innings. He'll look for more run support in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend in a rematch with the Nats.

Keller gave up a hit and struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Pirates.

With Daniel Palencia having pitched the day before, Keller got the call for a save situation and carved up the heart of Pittsburgh's order after allowing a leadoff single. The 30-year-old righty is seeing his stuff play up to a significant degree in shorter stints -- he topped out at 98 mph with his four-seamer Saturday, after spending most of his career as a starter sitting in the 92-94 mph range -- and while Palencia's closer job isn't in any jeopardy, Keller appears to be emerging as the Cubs' top right-handed setup man. In 11 appearances since the All-Star break, Keller hasn't allowed a run with a 15:2 K:BB over 12.1 innings, collecting four holds along with Saturday's save.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out six.

The southpaw's only real mistake resulted in a Tommy Pham solo shot in the fourth inning, but that was enough to deny Imanaga his ninth win of the season as the Cubs didn't take the lead until the bottom of the eighth inning. He delivered his third straight quality start on 85 pitches (57 strikes), and since returning from a hamstring strain in late June, Imanaga has posted a 3.24 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and dazzling 51:5 K:BB over 58.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Brewers in a crucial NL Central battle.

Pham went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Cubs.

The veteran outfielder supplied the Pirates' only offense when he took Shota Imanaga deep in the fourth inning. Pham has been productive since the All-Star break, batting .300 (24-for-80) over his last 23 games with two of his six homers on the season, along with one steal, nine RBI and 11 runs.

Burrows came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The rookie right-hander left the mound after just 68 pitches (45 strikes), and the Pirates may be monitoring his workload given that he threw only 54.2 innings across all levels in 2024 and is already up to 102.2 innings between Triple-A and the majors this season. Burrows was showing signs of fatigue in his prior two outings, surrendering four homers and 10 runs in 9.2 frames, but he didn't give up an extra-base hit to the Cubs on Saturday. He'll look for his first win since June 4 in his next start, which currently lines up to come at home next weekend against the Rockies.