MLB Player News

Hader struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jays.

He did hit a batter, but Hader then fanned Alejandro Kirk and George Springer to stifle any chance at a Toronto rally. Hader has converted 10 of 11 save chances since the beginning of June while not allowing an earned run during that stretch, posting a 1.17 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB in his last 13.2 innings.

Alvarado (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Alvarado went on the injured list on July 9 with left elbow inflammation but has felt better since being given a cortisone shot. The reliever missed a month earlier this season with the same injury, but it's unclear at this point whether a similar timetable is expected.

Williams gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to close out a 5-3 win over the Phillies.

The right-hander ran into a bit of trouble by giving up singles to Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott, but William Contreras threw out Stott attempting to steal second and Williams then fanned Alec Bohm to end the threat. The Milwaukee closer has been scored upon only once in his last 16 appearances, converting 14 of 15 save chances during that stretch with a 1.15 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings.

Bednar picked up the save in Wednesday's 7-5 victory over the Guardians. He struck out one over a scoreless inning and did not allow any hits or walks.

Bednar entered the game with a two-run lead in the top of the ninth and struck out Will Brennan on three straight pitches before quickly retiring the next two hitters to collect his 18th save of the season. The right-handed reliever needed only seven pitches to get through the frame, and he's now converted each of his last 14 save opportunities. Bednar also has not allowed an earned run since June 9 against the Mets, a span which covers 12 appearances.

Ginkel earned a save against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over one inning.

Ginkel's second save in as many days didn't come easily, as he faced the top of Atlanta's order and gave up a run on a double, a walk and a wild pitch. However, he was allowed to close out the victory despite seeing the tying run to come to the plate, which speaks to manager Torey Lovullo's trust in him. Ginkel has earned that trust with a 2.39 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB over 37.2 innings on the campaign. It may be premature to anoint him the Diamondbacks' full-time closer, but with Scott McGough having given up six runs over 1.1 frames since the All-Star break and having not recorded a save since July 1, Ginkel is likely the best Arizona bullpen option for fantasy managers chasing saves.

Diaz earned a save against the Giants on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Diaz had no trouble protecting a one-run ninth-inning lead for Cincinnati, retiring all three batters he faced on 11 total pitches. The dynamic closer fanned two of those hitters, marking the 20th time over 44 outings on the campaign that he's struck out multiple batters. Diaz has blossomed into one of the game's elite closers in his second big-league season, posting a 1.90 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 65:19 K:BB over 41.2 frames while ranking second in the league with 27 saves.

Thompson (2-2) allowed three hits over two scoreless innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Marlins. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Thompson has been on the big-league roster since July 5, but he hadn't appeared in a game since his June 29 outing for Triple-A Memphis. Despite the long layoff, the southpaw delivered solid relief work in Wednesday's bullpen game. He's at a 3.95 ERA with a 1.76 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB over 13.2 major-league innings this season. Thompson and JoJo Romero are the two southpaws in the Cardinals' bullpen currently, but Thompson is likely to remain in a low-leverage role.

Hudson allowed two runs on five hits over three innings, striking out one without walking a batter in a no-decision versus the Marlins on Wednesday.

The Cardinals took a 4-0 lead in the first inning, but Hudson didn't pitch deep enough to qualify for the win. He threw 66 pitches (45 strikes) in the spot start, though it's unclear if he'll be stretched out over the next few weeks to enter the rotation. Hudson has held his own in the majors this season, posting a 2.77 ERA despite a 1.31 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB through 13 innings over five appearances. He worked as a starter with Triple-A Memphis, but he exceeded five innings just twice in 11 outings. If Hudson gets another start, he's tentatively lined up for a challenging road start in Arizona next week.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Suarez (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Suarez has joined the Padres in Toronto and might finally be ready to be a contributor out of the bullpen. The 32-year-old right-hander re-upped with San Diego on a five-year, $46 million contract over the winter, but he missed the entire first half while recovering from a severe case of elbow inflammation.

Washington selected Garcia's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Garcia joined the Nationals on a minor-league contract over the All-Star break after getting pushed off the 40-man roster in Oakland. He had allowed eight earned runs in 8.2 innings of work with the A's and will likely fill a low-leverage bullpen role in Washington.