MLB Player News

Cease (12-9) picked up the win over the Rockies on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.

Cease started off strong, striking out five of the first nine batters he faced while keeping the Rockies off the scoreboard through the first five innings. The right-hander then began to stumble in the sixth, allowing three consecutive batters to reach before eventually surrendering three runs in the frame. He was relieved by Adrian Morejon with two outs, marking the third consecutive start in which Cease has been unable to get through six innings (excluding his rain-delayed start Aug. 6). The five walks on the night also matched his season high, and he's now issued multiple free passes in four consecutive outings in which he's pitched outside of the first inning. Despite that, Cease has won five of his last six decisions (spanning seven starts).

Pearson (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one.

Pearson beat his former team to earn his second win of the season, both of which have come since he got traded to the Cubs on July 27. The righty has also posted a strong 2.89 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 9.1 innings for Chicago. By contrast, he had a 5.63 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 40 innings for Toronto. It remains to be seen if Pearson can keep this level of play up, but so far he's been a solid addition for the Cubs.

Miller (1-3) took the loss against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk over 4.2 innings while striking out one.

Miller struggled with his command from the jump, allowing singles to two of the first three batters he faced in the contest before throwing two wild pitches in the opening frame. The right-hander would then fail to retire the leadoff man in three of his next four innings of work while also coughing up two homers on the night. Miller has been unable to make it through five innings in both of his last two starts (with the previous one coming back on July 9) while giving up multiple homers on each occasion. On a positive note, Saturday marked the first time in his last eight outings that Miller didn't walk multiple batters, though he did throw four wild pitches.

Hodge pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to record a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. He walked two and struck out two.

Hodge worked in front of Jorge Lopez, who picked up the save with regular closer Hector Neris unavailable after throwing 33 pitches in a blown save Friday. It remains to be seen if Neris will return to the role moving forward, but if the Cubs decide to make a change, both Hodge and Lopez could see save opportunities. Tyson Miller would likely be in the mix as well based on his strong play this season. For now, Hodge remains a strong setup option with a 2.15 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 29.1 innings this year, to go along with a team-high nine holds.

Greene (elbow) underwent an MRI on Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Greene, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, declined to comment on the injury until the results of the MRI are known. Cincinnati manager David Bell expressed optimism that Greene avoided a major injury, though the skipper suggested that the right-hander could miss more than the minimum amount of time. Bell has not yet determined who will take Greene's spot in the rotation Monday in Toronto, and the team's starting depth is thin due to injuries to Graham Ashcraft (elbow) and Brandon Williamson (shoulder). Sheldon speculates that Triple-A Louisville right-hander Julian Aguiar could be a leading candidate to replace Greene in the rotation.

Pallante (5-6) picked up the win over the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out five.

Pallante held his own against a talented Dodgers lineup despite allowing the leadoff man to reach in four of his seven innings of work. The right-hander surrendered one run in the first and another in the fifth on a solo shot from Shohei Ohtani, but he was able to hang on for his fifth win of the season and his first since June 28 against the Reds. Pallante has now allowed three or fewer runs in four of his last five starts, though he's also walked multiple batters in five straight. In the month of August he holds a 4.15 ERA to go along with an 11:8 K:BB.

Sewald allowed one hit and struck out three over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Rays.

Sewald has excelled since being replaced as the Diamondbacks' closer. Since then, he has yet to allow a run in six appearances, striking out eight over six innings. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo talked about Sewald having delivery issues at the time of his demotion; if the right-hander solved those issues, he could get save opportunities down the stretch. Sewald remains the most experienced closer in the bullpen.

Helsley picked up the save over the Dodgers on Saturday, striking out one over a perfect ninth inning.

Helsley made short work of the middle of the Dodgers' lineup, retiring the side in order on just six pitches after entering the contest with a three-run lead in the ninth. It marked the 38th save for the right-hander, which leads the majors, and it was only the second time this month in which he didn't allow any hits or walks. Helsley has now converted each of his last five save opportunities, posting a 4:3 K:BB over that stretch.

Ohtani went 1-for-3 in Saturday's loss to the Cardinals with a solo homer, two stolen bases and two runs scored while also drawing a walk.

Ohtani drew a leadoff walk to open the contest and stole second before later coming home on a Freddie Freeman single. The slugger would then go on to add a second steal in the third, along with a solo homer in the fifth. It marked Ohtani's third multi-steal effort this month, and he's now homered in three of his last six games. However, he's still batting just .171 (11-for-64) in August with six long balls, 10 RBI, eight runs and nine stolen bases.

Newman started at second base and went 2-for-4 in Saturday's 6-1 loss to Tampa Bay.

Newman has seen a spike in playing time over the past week while covering for injured second baseman Ketel Marte, who returned from an ankle injury Saturday as the designated hitter. Marte is expected to be brought back slowly, and Newman's presence in starting lineups could come to an end Sunday or shortly thereafter.