MLB Player News

Walker (4-1) allowed a run on a hit and a walk in one-third of an inning to take the loss Saturday versus the Athletics.

Walker put two of the three batters he faced on base, and Scott Alexander allowed one of them to score the decisive run. This was Walker's first loss of the year, made all the more impressive considering he's made seven of his 27 appearances as an opener. He's now at a 2.56 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB through 38.2 innings while most often serving in a low-leverage role.

Andrews was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday.

Andrews was called up to the big club Saturday and will return to the minors without appearing in a game. He made his MLB debut earlier this year and has given up five earned runs across 1.2 innings.

Martinez improved to 5-4 on the season in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Dodgers, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over two scoreless innings. After the game, Padres manager Bob Melvin said in an interview with 97.3 The Fan San Diego that Martinez could start again Tuesday versus Seattle, despite the fact that he would be pitching on two days' rest.

After making a three-inning spot start in Colorado on Wednesday, Martinez returned to the bullpen Saturday and came through with two effective frames, earning the victory when the Padres rallied for seven runs in the eighth inning. The right-hander had been limited to 38 pitches in his start versus Colorado, as he was filling in for an injured Joe Musgrove (shoulder) and wasn't built up to anywhere near a full workload. After throwing 22 pitches in relief Saturday, Martinez would presumably be working in a short-inning opener capacity again if he does start Tuesday against the Mariners. The veteran hasn't thrown more than 50 pitches in any appearance since a seven-inning, 97-pitch start way back on April 19 against Atlanta.

The Reds optioned Duarte to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Duarte was sent out to make room on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Lyon Richardson, who is scheduled to start Sunday's series finale against the Nationals in his MLB debut. After being recalled from Louisville on Wednesday, Duarte made three appearances out of the Cincinnati bullpen, covering three innings and striking out four while giving up an earned run on two hits and no walks.

Assad allowed two runs on five hits across 3.2 innings and didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 8-6 win over Atlanta. He walked two and recorded three strikeouts.

Assad pitched decently in his second start of the season, keeping the Cubs competitive before they went on to take the second game of the series. The righty snapped a stretch of five straight scoreless appearances, though he still has a strong 3.35 ERA this season. Though he was filling the spot in the rotation that previously belonged to the injured Marcus Stroman (hip), Assad is likely to head back to the bullpen in the near future. The Cubs have three off days coming up in the next two weeks and should be able to get by with a four-man rotation during that time.

Law allowed one hit over 2.1 scoreless innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss to Washington.

Law, who entered with the Reds down 6-0, ate up seven outs between the sixth and eighth innings. The right-hander has worked largely in middle relief for the Reds and has posted a 3.68 ERA in 14.2 innings since his return from the injured list in early July. Control has been an issue, as it has been throughout his career; Law's issued 20 free passes over 35.2 innings (5.0 BB/9) this season.

Sewald struck out three over a scoreless seventh inning in Saturday's 12-1 loss to the Twins.

Sewald, the closer Arizona acquired at the trade deadline, made his debut for his new organization, entering in the seventh inning of a 10-1 game. Because of the Diamondbacks' slump -- they've lost five straight since the trade -- there have been no save opportunities for Sewald. Despite seven days between outings, the right-hander was sharp, throwing nine of 12 pitches for strikes.

Weathers (1-7) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on six hits and four walks over 3.2 innings of relief as the Marlins were downed 9-8 by the Rangers. He struck out five.

Entering the game in the fifth inning, the southpaw was immediately greeted by homers off the bats of Corey Seager and Josh Jung, turning a 5-3 Miami lead into a deficit the team never overcame. Adding insult to injury, that also stuck Weathers with a blown save in his Marlins debut. He did at least soak up some innings, tossing 95 pitches (but only 52 strikes), while starter George Soriano lasted only 59 pitches before exiting. Weathers' performance didn't make much of a case for him to move into the rotation, but it's not yet clear how the Marlins will handle their fifth starter spot from here.

Soriano did not factor into the decision Saturday in the Marlins' 9-8 loss to the Rangers, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over three-plus innings. He struck out four.

Making his first career start in the majors, Soriano blanked Texas for three innings before Robbie Grossman crushed a three-run homer to right field in the fourth to chase the rookie right-hander from the game. Soriano was likely due to get lifted even if he had escaped that jam however, as his 59 pitches on the afternoon (36 strikes) were just two short of his season high. Ryan Weathers wound up working 95 pitches in relief, and it's not clear which of the two will fill the fifth starter spot for the Marlins next time around, or if they will work as a tandem. Soriano has the better numbers on the season with a 2.67 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB through 30.1 innings.

Bednar blew a save opportunity against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits over one inning.

Bednar got the ball in the ninth frame with Pittsburgh clinging to a 2-1 lead. He gave up a leadoff single, which resulted in a run when Sal Frelick followed with another single one out later. The blown save was just the second of the season for Bednar in 24 chances. He's been mostly dominant this year, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 56:13 K:BB over 44.2 innings.