MLB Player News

Henry picked up the save Thursday against the Phillies, yielding one hit with one strikeout over a scoreless ninth inning.

It was reported that the 26-year-old rookie would be in the mix for saves after the Nationals traded closer Kyle Finnegan near the deadline. However, Jose Ferrer got the first save opportunity Aug. 9 while Henry pitched the eighth frame. Their roles reversed Thursday, with Ferrer handling setup duties while Henry recorded his first career save. He's allowed one run on four hits and two walks across 5.2 innings in August. Given that Ferrer is a southpaw and Henry is a right-hander, Washington could utilize a matchup-based approach to the closer role during the final stretch of the regular season.

Ferrer earned a hold during Thursday's 3-2 win over Philadelphia, allowing one hit with one strikeout during a scoreless inning.

Ferrer handled ninth-inning duties Aug. 9 in Washington's first save opportunity after trading closer Kyle Finnegan, but Ferrer was passed over Thursday in favor of Cole Henry. Instead, Ferrer worked in a setup role, pitching a scoreless eighth frame before Henry earned the save with a scoreless ninth. The Nationals could use a matchup-based approach to the closer role for the final weeks of the season between the lefty Ferrer and the righty Henry, but save chances are likely to come at a premium for the rebuilding club. Ferrer has allowed two runs on nine hits in six innings during August.

Luzardo (11-6) took the loss Thursday against Washington, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

Luzardo recorded his fourth consecutive quality start, but Thursday's outing was his first of that stretch to not result in a win. The left-hander seems to have left a late July blip in the rearview mirrow, during which he allowed 10 runs over 9.2 innings across two starts. During his quality start streak, Luzardo has a 2.52 ERA and a 22:5 K:BB across 25 innings. Luzardo's next start is tentatively scheduled to come against the Mariners early next week.

Lord didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Philadelphia, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk across six innings. He struck out three.

Lord's seven hits allowed were a season worst, but he was able to navigate the trouble and give up just two runs. He's been impressive since hopping into the rotation following the All-Star break, posting a 2.77 ERA and a 17:6 K:BB across 26 innings. Lord is fully stretched out, and he's completed six innings in back-to-back appearances. He'll look to extend that streak in his next start, which is scheduled to come against the Mets.

Cabrera (6-6) took the loss Thursday against the Guardians, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out six.

It was a tough outing for Cabrera, who came back to earth after pitching to a 1.40 ERA in his previous four starts (25.2 innings). Overall, the 27-year-old right-hander sports a 3.34 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and a career-high 120 strikeouts across 21 starts (113.1 innings). Cabrera will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Cardinals.

Hoerner went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

A day after going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, Hoerner once again tallied two hits and tacked on another steal. The speedy infielder has now swiped 22 bases this season, and he's also batting .293. Hoerner doesn't hit for much power, as he only has four home runs in 116 games, but he derives fantasy value from his strong contact skills and ability on the basepaths.

Busch went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Busch finished the series in Toronto with home runs on consecutive days, and he now has a career-high 24 long balls for the season along with a career-high 68 RBI. The first baseman gives the Cubs a powerful bat atop the lineup against righties, and while he doesn't offer a ton of speed on the bases, Busch has settled in as an effective albeit unconventional leadoff hitter.

Bryant (back) is not expected to play again this season, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Bryant played in 11 games to begin the season, but a degenerative disc issue in his back has sidelined him ever since, as he remains on the 60-day IL. Last month, Bryant was reportedly exploring experimental treatments to correct the issue, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. It's unclear what path Bryant will choose for treatment, but his 2025 season appears to be over after slashing a miserable .154/.195/.205 with two doubles, one RBI, two runs scored and a 2:13 BB:K across 41 plate appearances. Since signing a seven-year, $182 million deal ahead of the 2022 season, Bryant has played in just 170 games for Colorado, registering a .244/.324/.370 slash line with 17 home runs, 61 RBI, 75 runs scored and a 61:156 BB:K over 712 plate appearances. He'll turn 34 years old in January.

Lawlar (hamstring) was activated from the 7-day injured list by Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Lawlar has been sidelined since late June due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Now healthy, Lawlar will look to ramp things up at Reno before likely finishing the season back in the big leagues with the Diamondbacks. With Eugenio Suarez shipped off to Seattle at the trade deadline, Arizona will surely want to get Lawlar plenty of everyday looks to close out the season with an eye toward the 2026 campaign. Lawlar was overmatched in his previous stint in the majors during an eight-game stretch in May, as he failed to record a hit across 22 trips to the plate.

Boyd (11-6) took the loss in Thursday's 2-1 defeat to the Blue Jays, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out five.

Boyd was dominant for most of the outing, allowing just one hit while blanking Toronto through his first six innings. However, the left-hander would walk Davis Schneider to lead off the seventh before Vladimir Guerrero launched a two-run homer, which proved to be enough to stick Boyd with the loss in a one-run defeat. The 34-year-old Boyd has dropped three of his last four outings despite posting a respectable 3.75 ERA in that span. Overall, his ERA sits at 2.46 with a 1.02 WHIP and 126:30 K:BB across 24 starts (142.2 innings) this season.