MLB Player News

Webb recorded his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals, giving up one hit and striking out two in 1.1 scoreless innings.

After Ryan Zeferjahn let the Nats creep closer in the eighth inning, Webb was called in to put out the fire and got the final out of the frame before handling the ninth. Webb hasn't been tagged for a run since June 20, with his scoreless streak standing at 20.2 innings with a 0.87 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB, and he's converted all six of his save chances during that span. Daniel Palencia (elbow) isn't looking especially sharp during his rehab assignment, and Webb is making a strong case to hang onto the closer role for the Cubs even after Palencia comes off the IL.

Imanaga didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Nationals, giving up four runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- over 4.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The ball was flying at Nationals Park as the two teams combined for six long balls, and Imanaga served up half of them, though he was able to limit the damage. The veteran southpaw left the mound after 86 pitches (55 strikes) as he got tagged for more than two runs for the first time since June 24. Over seven starts and 40.2 innings between those shaky performances, Imanaga put together a 1.77 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 37:6 K:BB. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, which is set to come at home this weekend against the Cardinals.

Criswell (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, pitching around a hit and a walk to log a scoreless frame.

Criswell landed on the 15-day injured list nearly a month ago with a right shoulder strain. He could require another rehab outing or two before rejoining the Rockies' bullpen.

Fairbanks struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his 18th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Pirates.

The veteran closer converted his fifth straight save chance while extending his scoreless streak to seven appearances and seven innings -- a stretch in which he's allowed just one hit with a 10:2 K:BB. Despite his recent form, on the season Fairbanks is saddled with a 6.03 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 37.1 frames with 18 saves in 21 opportunities.

Perez (6-9) picked up the win Tuesday, scattering three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Pirates. He struck out seven.

Matched up against Paul Skenes, Perez rose to the occasion and fired 62 of 100 pitches for strikes while preventing Pittsburgh from even getting a runner into scoring position. The win was Perez's first since July 5, but he hasn't been pitching poorly -- during that five-start stretch, the 23-year-old delivered a 3.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 32:10 K:BB over 30 innings despite winding up with an 0-3 record. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Cincinnati.

Skenes (9-11) took the loss Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk over five innings as the Pirates fell 2-0 to the Marlins. He struck out four.

Pittsburgh's hitters couldn't solve Eury Perez and the Miami bullpen, giving Skenes no margin for error in a solid outing. While Skenes made an early exit after 65 pitches (45 strikes), manager Don Kelly told Jason Mackey of MLB.com after the game that there was no injury concern with the right-hander. Instead, the game situation presented Kelly with an opportunity to give the 24-year-old right-hander a bit of extra rest. Skenes has struggled of late, giving up 13 runs in 14.1 innings over his prior three starts, and his fastball velocity was down over one tick Tuesday, averaging 95.7 mph. Skenes will look to rally in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come at home this weekend against the Red Sox.

Kelly (leg) is listed as the Diamondbacks' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Rockies in Arizona.

Kelly was lifted midway through the sixth inning of his latest start Friday against the Dodgers due to right leg cramping, but the veteran right-hander looks ready to return to the hill on four days' rest after receiving treatment for the issue. Though Kelly's ERA (4.88) and WHIP (1.47) currently sit at career-worst levels, he's at least consistently provided the Diamondbacks with length in his starts, working at least five innings in 17 consecutive outings.

Peguero (hamstring) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, walking all three batters he faced and getting charged with three runs.

It certainly wasn't the result Peguero was looking for, but he could be a bit rusty given that it was his first game appearance since late May. The righty reliever is working his way back from a strained hamstring and will need a few more rehab outings before rejoining the Giants' bullpen.

De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

De La Cruz was part of a late-game, three-run rally in the eighth inning to tie the game. He had a run-scoring single as part of the rally and then hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th to produce the go-ahead run. It was his third game this month with multiple RBI, and De La Cruz has knocked in eight over eight August contests.

Stephenson went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

Cincinnati hitters were befuddled by Chicago starter Sean Burke for seven innings but made their move in the eighth, scoring three runs against the White Sox's bullpen. Stephenson's two-run, bases-loaded single plated the game-tying run and set up the need for an extra frame. The catcher continued a productive stretch since the All-Star break and is slashing .288/.373/.593 with 11 RBI over the last 17 contests.