MLB Player News

Hader earned the save in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Yankees, striking out one batter across 1.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit or walk.

The Astros brought out Hader with two outs and a runner on in the eighth, and the veteran southpaw answered the call by striking out Trent Grisham before securing the save on just seven pitches in the ninth. Hader has yet to blow a save chance in 19 opportunities and boasts an 0.81 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 44:11 K:BB over 33.1 innings this season.

Varsho went 2-for-5 with two RBI during the Astros' 9-7 win over the Yankees on Tuesday.

Varsho gave the Astros an early 2-0 lead with an RBI single in the third before driving in another run in the fifth. It was the sixth multi-RBI game of the season for the veteran center fielder and second as a member of the Astros. Varsho is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak, having gone7-for-22 (.318) with three RBI and three extra-base hits in that span.

The Nationals are expected to recall Perales from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

The 23-year-old righty will get his first big-league opportunity after posting a 3.64 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 96.1 innings at Triple-A. Perales has worked primarily as a starter this season but will likely begin his MLB career in the bullpen after pitching two innings or fewer in each of his last four minor-league outings.

Pecko did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out one batter over 4.1 innings.

Pecko entered Tuesday's start looking for a better outing than his major-league debut this past Wednesday against the Angels. That didn't come to pass in the Bronx, with the 23-year-old right-hander yielding a three-run homer to Cody Bellinger in the third inning before giving up a two-run long ball to Luis Garcia in the fifth. Pecko was able to avoid the loss thanks to the offensive outburst of his Astros teammates. Still, it hasn't been the best start to the 24-year-old's major-league career, as he has allowed seven runs over his first eight innings with Houston. Pecko could be on his way back to the minors if the Astros activate Mike Burrows (elbow) from the 15-day IL ahead of the team's weekend series against the Mets.

Bassitt (5-4) earned the win Tuesday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on six hits while striking out five over 6.2 innings.

Bassitt's only blemish Tuesday came when Nathan Church led off the third inning with a solo homer, as he otherwise kept St. Louis off the board. The strong outing lowered the right-hander's ERA (4.74) below 5.00 for the first time this season. Bassitt has pitched well since returning from the injured list, allowing six runs across 17.2 innings with a 14:4 K:BB over three starts. He's scheduled to face the Athletics on the road in his next outing.

Pena went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored during Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Yankees.

Pena tied the game up at 5-5 with a two-run homer off Fernando Cruz in the sixth inning. Pena is up to 15 long balls on the year and has reached that mark in each of the last three years and four times across five major-league seasons. He has an .816 OPS with eight steals, 43 RBI and 31 extra-base hits over 354 plate appearances this season.

The Nationals optioned Bird to Triple-A Rochester following Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Rockies.

Bird pitched a scoreless inning Tuesday, bringing his ERA down to 5.35 through 38.2 innings on the season, but the Nationals will send him down to Rochester to make room in the bullpen for right-hander Luis Perales, who will be recalled from Triple-A on Wednesday. Bird could still return to Washington later in the season to provide the parent club with a fresh arm, but he would likely be limited to middle-relief duty.

Alvarez went 3-for-5 with an RBI triple and two runs scored during the Astros' 9-7 win over the Yankees on Tuesday.

It was Alvarez's 14th game of at least three hits, and his third knock was an RBI triple to put the Astros up 7-6 in the eighth inning. The 29-year-old slugger is considered by many the favorite to win the American League MVP award, as he leads the AL in all parts of the slash line (.323/.438/.618) as well as home runs (36) and RBI (91) while ranking second in both hits and runs scored.

Albies went 2-for-3 with two RBI in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers.

Albies recorded his third consecutive two-hit performance, with his second knock Tuesday proving to be the biggest -- an RBI single in the eighth inning that brought home the eventual winning run. He has now reached base safely in nine straight games. Through 132 contests this season, Albies is slashing .255/.309/.420 with 20 home runs, 23 doubles, 67 RBI, 73 runs scored and two stolen bases.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs, an RBI single and an additional run scored during the Astros' 9-7 win over the Yankees on Tuesday.

Diaz opened Tuesday's scoring with a solo home run in the second inning before going long again in the eighth. It was the third multi-homer game of his major-league career and first of the season, and his RBI single in the ninth set a season high in runs driven in with three. Diaz has gone 13-for-50 (.260) with six RBI and three extra-base hits in August.