MLB Player News

Megill earned the save in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Mets, allowing one walk and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Megill was called upon to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and struck out the last two batters he faced to secure his second save in as many days. The 31-year-old has now converted 10 straight save chances dating back to July 4, allowing just one earned run over 12 appearances during that stretch. For the year, he's tied for third in the majors with 28 saves to go along with a 2.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 49:15 K:BB across 41 innings.

Busch went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run, a double and a second run scored in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Cardinals.

Busch opened August just 2-for-21 over his first seven games of the month. The first baseman broke out with a long ball in the second inning that stretched the Cubs' lead to 5-0. He's now at a .266/.351/.505 slash line with a career-high 22 homers as well as 64 RBI, 52 runs scored, four stolen bases, 16 doubles and three triples through 110 contests this season.

Rea (9-5) allowed one run on three hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings to earn the win over the Cardinals on Saturday.

Rea's shutout bid was broken up when Alec Burleson plated a run on a groundout in the sixth inning. This was Rea's first quality start in his last five outings -- he last reached the six-inning mark when he pitched seven frames of one-run ball July 10 versus the Twins. The right-hander is now at a 4.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 85:31 K:BB through 116.2 innings over 24 appearances (20 starts). Rea is tentatively projected to make his next start on the road against the Blue Jays. With the Cubs facing a stretch of 14 games in 13 days starting Tuesday in Toronto, he should be good to stick in the rotation for a bit longer even if Jameson Taillon (calf) and Javier Assad (oblique) are ready to return around the middle of the month.

Strahm picked up a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over Texas, allowing one run on one hit and no walks in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

After spending a brief time in a committee at closer with Orion Kerkering amid Jordan Romano's struggles, Strahm has fallen back down the pecking order in Philadelphia's bullpen since Jhoan Duran was added to the mix. With Jose Alvarado also set to be reinstated from his 80-game suspension later in August, Strahm will likely soon have even more competition for high-leverage work. Strahm hasn't seen a save opportunity since July 13 in San Diego, though he does sport a 2.13 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over his last 13 outings (12.2 innings).

Conforto exited Saturday's game against the Blue Jays in the sixth inning after getting hit on the side of his right knee by a pitch, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Conforto took his base after being hit by the pitch, but Alex Call came on to pinch hit for him later in the six-run inning while the Dodgers were up 9-0. The Dodgers will be facing lefty Eric Lauer on Sunday, so the left-handed-hitting Conforto will likely begin the game on the bench regardless of how his knee is feeling.

Pallante (6-9) allowed six runs on seven hits and one walk while failing to record a strikeout over 1.2 innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Cubs.

Pallante gave up two runs in the first inning and four more in the second before making his early exit in this contest. He's operated at the extremes lately -- over his last nine starts, he's allowed two or fewer runs five times, but he's allowed at least five runs in the other four starts in that span. On the season, Pallante has an uninspiring 4.95 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 80:41 K:BB across 123.2 innings through 23 starts. His next start is expected to be at home versus the Yankees.

Marte went 3-for-4 with three doubles, one run scored and one RBI in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.

Marte got the Reds on the board with an RBI double in the fourth inning before scoring the game-winning run in the seventh. It was a much-needed showing for the 23-year-old, who entered the game in a 2-for-18 slump through six August contests. For the season, he's slashing .277/.320/.482 with seven homers, 29 RBI, 23 runs scored and seven steals across 178 plate appearances.

Martinez (10-9) earned the win against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over seven innings.

Martinez allowed a run in the third inning but otherwise kept the Pirates in check, retiring 12 of the final 14 batters he faced. Since giving up 10 runs to the Marlins on July 8, the 35-year-old has gone 4-0 while holding opponents to two earned runs or fewer in six straight outings (five starts). For the season, he owns a 4.49 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 97:33 K:BB across 136.1 innings and will likely shift back to the bullpen with Hunter Greene (groin) expected to return next week.

Pagan earned the save in Saturday' 2-1 win over the Pirates, allowing one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Pagan was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and worked around a leadoff walk to close it out. The 34-year-old has converted eight straight save chances since June 22, holding opponents scoreless in 14 of 18 appearances during that span. For the season, he's 25-for-28 in save opportunities with a 2.92 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 57:17 K:BB across 49.1 innings.

Salas (back) has been cleared for baseball activities, but he may not be ready for game action before the end of the minor-league season, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Salas hasn't played in a game since April 17, so he'll need a lengthy ramp-up period and the Padres won't rush him back from this stress fracture in his back that was slower to heal than anticipated. Regardless of whether Salas makes it back before the end of the minor-league season, he'll likely play either fall or winter ball to make up for what has essentially been a lost season.