MLB Player News

Miller (4-1) tossed a scoreless 10th inning to earn the win out of the bullpen Friday against the Blue Jays.

After Hector Neris blew the save by allowing three runs in the ninth inning, Miller picked Chicago up with a much better 10th, needing just five pitches to shut the door on Toronto. The righty has been solid this season, as he now has a 1.83 ERA and 0.77 WHIP across 44.1 innings for the Cubs and Mariners. If Neris gets pulled from the closer role due to his middling performance, Miller could be a candidate to see save opportunities, though Porter Hodge is probably ahead of him right now in the bullpen pecking order.

Amaya went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-6, 10-inning win over the Blue Jays.

Amaya has only five home runs this season in 86 games, though he's gone deep twice in 10 contests so far this month. The catcher is batting .258 in August with a .797 OPS, which are both ahead of his season-long rates. Amaya will see his fantasy appeal increase if he can maintain his recent level of performance, as he's fairly locked into the No. 1 role behind the plate for the Cubs, with only veteran Christian Bethancourt joining him on the roster currently.

Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 7-6, 10-inning win over the Blue Jays.

Crow-Armstrong got the start in center field and blasted his fifth home run of the season in the fifth inning. Two of those long balls have come in the past four games. Crow-Armstrong was ultimately lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth, and Cody Bellinger finished the game in center as he saw his first outfield action since returning from the injured list in late July. If Bellinger sees more time in center moving forward, Crow-Armstrong could see his playing time decrease, though he's at least a strong candidate to serve as a pinch runner or defensive replacement on days he doesn't start.

Bellinger went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 7-6, 10-inning win over the Blue Jays.

Bellinger got the scoring started for the Cubs, launching his 13th home run of the season in the first inning with a runner on to make it 2-0. The 29-year-old also played in the outfield for the first time since returning in late July from a fractured middle finger on his left hand. Bellinger started in right but later shifted over to center, and if he starts seeing more regular time in center moving forward, Pete Crow-Armstrong could see his role shrink.

Reynolds is absent from Saturday's lineup against Seattle.

Reynolds has gone 0-for-8 with one run scored and five strikeouts over his last two games. He'll take a seat Saturday while Bryan De La Cruz starts in left field.

Cruz (ankle) will serve as the designated hitter and bat second in Saturday's game against the Mariners.

Cruz injured his left ankle while turning towards third base in the seventh inning of Friday's game against Seattle. The injury won't keep him out of Saturday's contest, though he'll avoid fielding duties while Isiah Kiner-Falefa gets the start at shortstop.

McCutchen (knee) is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners.

McCutchen left in the seventh inning of Friday's game against Seattle after sustaining a knee injury while running to first base. Oneil Cruz (ankle) will serve as the designated hitter and bat second against Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo.

Bednar gave up a run on two hits in ninth inning Friday, recording his 21st save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Mariners. He struck out three.

The right-hander served up a solo shot to Jorge Polanco, marring what was otherwise an impressive performance. Bednar has been tagged for at least one run in a stunning six straight appearances, posting an 8:7 K:BB in 6.1 innings over that stretch and blowing two of five save chances. That August swoon has sent his ERA on the season soaring to 5.83, and while the Pirates don't seem inclined to remove him from the closer role, Aroldis Chapman has a 0.82 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 11 innings since the All-Star break.

Skenes (7-2) picked up the win in Friday's 5-3 victory over the Mariners, giving up two runs on three hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out six.

Despite a season high in walks, the rookie right-hander still came away with his 12th quality start in 16 trips to the mound for Pittsburgh. Skenes' workload in his first full professional season may be catching up to him -- he's walked 11 batters and hit two more with pitches over his last four starts and 23.1 innings -- but the 22-year-old has still produced a solid 3.47 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 9.3 K/9 over that stretch. He lines up to make him next start at home next week against the Reds, and the Pirates could move to a six-man rotation over the final weeks of the year in order to provide young arms like Skenes and Jared Jones (lat) some extra rest.

Estevez (2-4) blew the save but picked up the win in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Nationals, giving up two runs on three hits in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

The right-hander entered the game with Philadelphia ahead 2-0, but he gave up three straight singles to open the ninth before a Jacob Young fielder's choice tied it up. Estevez was able to right the ship and get off the mound without any further damage, and Trea Turner then walked it off in the bottom of the frame. Estevez has been effective since coming over from the Angels at the trade deadline, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 8.2 innings, but he has only one win and one save in eight appearances.