MLB Player News

Harris recorded his ninth save Tuesday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out three over 1.1 innings.

Harris entered with a three-run lead in the eighth inning after Luis Medina left runners on the corners with two outs. He immediately allowed an RBI single to Wilyer Abreu before escaping the inning with a strikeout. The ninth proved even more eventful, as Harris gave up a single and a two-run homer to Connor Wong to trim the lead to one run before inducing a game-ending flyout. The two runs were his first allowed since the All-Star break. Harris has converted three saves over his last five appearances and owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 65:38 K:BB with nine saves in 13 chances and 10 holds this season.

Bennett (6-4) took the loss Tuesday against the Athletics, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 6.1 innings.

Bennett surrendered a pair of singles in the second inning that produced the Athletics' first run before settling in and allowing just three hits over the next four frames. His night ended in the seventh as a leadoff walk was followed by a two-run homer from Brian Serven. The defeat was the left-hander's first since June 17, as he had gone 5-0 with a 1.40 ERA over his previous six starts. Bennett has completed at least five innings in all 11 of his starts this season and will carry a 2.47 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 46:11 K:BB into his next scheduled outing Sunday against a dangerous Dodgers lineup.

Jump (4-6) earned the win Tuesday against the Red Sox, allowing three hits and four walks while striking out seven over six scoreless innings.

Jump threw only 53 of his 90 pitches for strikes and issued four walks for the second consecutive start, but he overpowered Boston by generating 19 whiffs. He finished the outing by striking out four of the final six batters he faced and secured his first win since June 18 after dropping five straight decisions. During that losing streak, Jump surrendered 22 runs (20 earned) across 21.2 innings, causing his ERA to climb over two full runs. He now owns a 4.00 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 68:25 K:BB across 63 innings this season and is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against the Tigers.

The Nationals optioned Varland to Triple-A Rochester following Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Blue Jays.

Varland will lose his place in the bullpen after coughing up three runs (two earned) without recording an out Tuesday. His demotion to Triple-A will free up a roster spot for Trevor Williams (elbow), who is expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Hoerner went 1-for-4 with a walk, two RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Tuesday's 10-2 win over the Cardinals.

After striking out in his first plate appearance, Hoerner came through with the bases loaded in the second inning, lining a two-run single as the ninth batter of the frame to chase Michael McGreevy from the game. He later stole his 15th base of the season in the fifth inning. Hoerner has started the second half of the season on fire, batting 20-for-48 (.417) with 12 RBI over his first 11 games.

The Nationals are expected to reinstate Williams (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.

Williams has been on the IL all season while on the mend from the internal brace procedure he underwent last July. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment June 28 and has since given up 14 runs (11 earned) in 15.1 innings over six appearances while making stops at each of the Nationals' minor-league affiliates. With Williams failing to find consistent success against minor-leaguers and fellow starter Jake Irvin (shoulder) also closing in on a return from the IL, manager Blake Butera has already confirmed that Williams will move to the bullpen to work as a long reliever. It's unknown whether it will be a permanent move, though returning to the rotation will only become more difficult once Connelly Early (elbow) is cleared to make his Nationals debut.

Beeter locked down the save Tuesday against the Blue Jays, recording a perfect inning while striking out one batter.

It took just 12 pitches (eight strikes) for Beeter to put away Toronto for his 11th save of the campaign. The 27-year-old has now recorded three saves in the last four days and has not allowed a run in that time. On the season, Beeter now owns a 3.58 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 34:20 K:BB through 32.2 innings.

Happ went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 10-2 win over the Cardinals.

Happ got the Cubs on the board in his first plate appearance, ripping a two-out double to right field with two runners in scoring position. He added another double in the ninth inning, giving him 20 two-baggers on the year. The veteran outfielder is on pace to top 30 doubles for his fifth consecutive season. Happ has cooled off at the plate in July, batting .219 with six RBI across 21 games.

Young went 0-for-0 with two RBI, three walks and a run scored in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Blue Jays.

Young drove in his first run courtesy of an RBI walk in the bottom of the first inning, and then drove in Daylen Lile on a sacrifice fly in the fifth. For the 26-year-old, it was his first multi-walk game since July 17 and his first time drawing three walks in a game this season. Young has been on fire in his last seven games, slashing .389/.455/.611 with one homer and five RBI in 21 plate appearances.

Crews went 1-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored, a walk and two strikeouts in Washington's 8-6 win over Toronto on Tuesday.

Crews blasted his ninth homer of the campaign in the bottom of the fourth, going back-to-back with Luis Garcia to extend the lead to 7-2. The 24-year-old has now recorded an extra-base hit in each of his last three games. Over his last seven games, Crews has slashed .375/.516/.708 with two homers and four RBI in 30 plate appearances.