MLB Player News

Abbott did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Brewers, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks with five strikeouts over four innings.

Abbott allowed a solo homer in the first inning but was solid through four frames before his start was shortened by a lengthy rain delay. The southpaw threw 40 of 58 pitches for strikes with six whiffs, an encouraging effort after he was tagged for seven runs by the Cubs in his Aug. 29 outing. He'll take a 4.43 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 120:70 K:BB across 152.1 innings this season into a road rematch with the Brewers next weekend.

Wheeler (12-5) collected the win in Saturday's 4-2 victory over Atlanta, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out nine.

The veteran righty made only one real mistake, which Ronald Acuna blasted 450 feet into the upper deck in left-center field during the third inning, but otherwise Wheeler was dialed in as he delivered his 14th quality start of the season. The nine Ks were Wheeler's best showing in that category since July 21, and he's won back-to-back outings after going seven straight starts without getting a W. He'll look to keep rolling in his next trip to the mound, which is set to come at home next week against the Astros.

Perez (8-9) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs on seven hits and four walks over 3.2 innings as Atlanta was downed 4-2 by the Phillies. He struck out three.

The veteran southpaw labored through 84 pitches (49 strikes), and Perez's line could have looked a lot worse -- he left two batters aboard when he got the hook in the fourth inning, but Ray Kerr stranded the inherited runners. Perez has gone four straight starts without getting into the win column, stumbling to a 4.91 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB in 18.1 innings with an 0-3 record during that span. He'll try to right the ship in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next weekend in a rematch with Philly as the two teams battle down the stretch for the NL East crown.

Pagan earned the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Brewers, allowing two hits and one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Pagan was called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam to close the door. The 35-year-old has now converted 15 straight save opportunities, and he owns a 2.25 ERA over 20 second-half appearances. On the year, he's 21-for-24 in save chances with a 3.96 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 37:10 K:BB across 36.1 innings.

Stowers went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs.

Returning to the lineup after sitting out Friday's game as a precaution due to some hamstring tightness, Stowers took Trent Thornton deep in the seventh inning for the Marlins' final run of the night. Stowers has hit safely in his last five contests while going 8-for-20 with four extra-base hits, and over 11 games since returning in late August from a full strain of his left hamstring, he's produced a .324/.419/.649 slash line with three doubles, three homers, five runs and eight RBI.

Gusto (1-4) took the loss Saturday as the Marlins fell 6-5 to the Cubs, surrendering five runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

Chicago had runners in scoring position in every inning against Gusto, finally getting on the board when Michael Conforto led off the top of the third inning with a solo shot. Gusto got the hook after 100 pitches (67 strikes), and while the right-hander has been able to complete five innings in only one of his last six starts, he's managed to put together a 3.29 ERA and 23:9 K:BB in 27.1 innings over that stretch, albeit with a 1.50 WHIP. He'll look to be a little more efficient in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Dodgers.

Hoerner went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Marlins.

The infielder produced his second straight three-hit effort and his third in the last nine games. Hoerner has shifted over to shortstop while Dansby Swanson (oblique) is on the shelf, but the change in defensive responsibilities hasn't caused him to lose focus at the plate. Over 18 games since Swanson landed on the IL, Hoerner boasts a .310/.320/.366 slash line with one homer, two steals, four runs and eight RBI.

Assad didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Marlins, giving up three runs on three hits and five walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.

Called up earlier in the day for a spot start, Assad held Miami off the scoreboard for three innings before his control issues caught up to him. The right-hander exited after 88 pitches (51 strikes) with the Cubs ahead 5-2, as he missed a chance to record his seventh win of the season and tie his career high. It's not yet clear if Chicago will keep Assad around as a sixth starter or long reliever, or option him back to Triple-A Iowa in exchange for a fresh arm, but over five appearances and 18.1 big-league innings since the beginning of August he's delivered a 2.95 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB.

Thornton (3-5) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on seven hits -- including four home runs -- and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.

In total, five of the hits off the rookie left-hander went for extra bases, with Rafael Devers and Christian Koss each taking him deep twice. Thornton still managed to complete five frames for the sixth straight start, taking a little pressure off the Mets' bullpen, and during that stretch he's produced a 4.22 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB over 32 innings while serving up eight homers. He'll try to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing, which is set to come on the road next weekend in a Subway Series against the Yankees.

Molina (3-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two unearned runs on one hit and one walk over five innings in a 9-5 victory over the Mets. He struck out six.

A Rafael Devers error extended the second inning and led to a two-run homer for A.J. Ewing, but it was the only hit Molina gave up over 87 pitches (55 strikes). The 24-year-old right-hander has gotten into the win column in his first three outings for the Giants since being acquired at the trade deadline from Atlanta, posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB over 14.1 innings. He'll look to keep that streak going in his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Padres.