MLB Player News

Assad didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Marlins, giving up three runs on three hits and five walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three.

Called up earlier in the day for a spot start, Assad held Miami off the scoreboard for three innings before his control issues caught up to him. The right-hander exited after 88 pitches (51 strikes) with the Cubs ahead 5-2, as he missed a chance to record his seventh win of the season and tie his career high. It's not yet clear if Chicago will keep Assad around as a sixth starter or long reliever, or option him back to Triple-A Iowa in exchange for a fresh arm, but over five appearances and 18.1 big-league innings since the beginning of August he's delivered a 2.95 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB.

Zeferjahn tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to earn the save in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Marlins. He walked one and struck out one.

With regular closer Jacob Webb (forearm) remaining out of action, Zeferjahn recorded his fifth save of the season and first since Aug. 2, when he was still a member of the Angels before getting traded to Chicago a day later. The righty reliever hasn't been particularly sharp with the Cubs yet, as he's recorded a 5.68 ERA across 12.2 innings with his new team. Zeferjahn still misses plenty of bats, and he should be given chances to turn things around down the stretch as a key member of Chicago's bullpen.

Scott allowed a run on three hits and struck out three in one inning to earn the save in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Nationals.

Scott's shaky pitching continues -- he's allowed five runs over his last 8.1 innings, though he's still converted five of six save chances in that span. He needed 17 pitches (14 strikes) to get the job done Saturday for his 21st save of the campaign. Scott has a 2.67 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 70:12 K:BB through 57.1 innings. He's pitched three of the last four days, so he may be rested Sunday even if a save chance is available.

Garcia earned a save against the Astros on Saturday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

After the game went into an extra frame, Arizona plated a run in the top of the 10th to take the lead. Manager Torey Lovullo then turned to Garcia, who came through with a 13-pitch scoreless inning to earn the save. The southpaw collected three saves over a 17-day span in July and August, but he hadn't picked up another save across his subsequent seven outings. Juan Morillo and Kevin Ginkel have each gotten into the saves column of late, and both pitched before the ninth inning Saturday, so Arizona's late-inning bullpen situation appears fluid.

Romano struck out one without allowing a run, hit or walk over two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in Saturday's 10-7 win over the Cardinals.

Juan Mejia wasn't able to make quick work of the Cardinals in the ninth inning, creating a save situation. Romano got the job done instead, rebounding from his blown save and loss Friday. Romano is now at a 4.88 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 31:15 K:BB across 27.2 innings between the Rockies and the Angels this year. He's converted 15 of 19 save chances while adding one hold. Considering Romano has pitched consecutive days, he may not be available to take a save chance Sunday.

Diaz (neck) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Diaz last pitched for the Dodgers on Aug. 17, when he gave up three runs on four hits over one inning at Colorado. He landed on the injured list the next day with a diagnosis of neck inflammation. Diaz may not need an extended rehab stint, but even if he's fully recovered, he's expected to log lower-leverage work upon his return to the big-league club.

The Dodgers optioned Hurt to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Hurt has posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB over 11 appearances spanning 12.1 innings since the All-Star break, but Los Angeles has opted to send him down to clear a spot on the active roster for Bobby Miller (shoulder), who was activated from the 60-day IL. Given Hurt's recent contributions, there's a good chance he'll be back up with the Dodgers before the end of the regular season.

The Cubs recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa ahead of his start Saturday against Miami, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Assad has put up a 3.46 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 83.1 innings in the big leagues this season and has given up four runs in nine innings since being sent down to Triple-A in late August. He'll now return to the majors to pitch against a Marlins offense that's put up a .677 OPS in the last two weeks, and he could stick around in the Cubs' rotation if he delivers another strong performance. Tyler Ferguson was optioned to Iowa in a corresponding move.

The Cubs optioned Ferguson to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Ferguson gave up one run in 1.2 innings during his lone appearance after coming up from Iowa on Tuesday. He'll now head back to the minors to make room for Javier Assad, who was recalled to start Saturday's game against the Marlins.

The Giants optioned Walker to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Walker will lose his place in San Francisco's bullpen to make room for Joel Kuhnel, who was claimed off waivers from Milwaukee on Friday. Walker has struggled to a 7.16 ERA and 1.81 WHIP in 32.2 big-league innings this season and could spend the rest of the year at Triple-A.