MLB Player News

Farmer (3-4) was credited with Monday's win over the Cubs. He struck out two over 1.2 hitless and scoreless innings.

Farmer replaced starter Andrew Abbott with one out in the fourth inning and retired all four batters faced, including a double play to escape the fourth. The outing was Farmer's 50th of the season, tying him for third most in majors along with fellow Cincinnati bullpen mates Ian Gibaut and Alexis Diaz. The right-handed Farmer endured a rough patch early in July but has righted himself with three runs allowed and 11 strikeouts over the last 9.1 innings.

Lawrence allowed a run on three hits and struck out one over 1.2 innings to take a blown save in Monday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Padres.

Lawrence escaped a jam he inherited from Daniel Bard in the eighth inning, but he proceeded to give up a solo home run to Trent Grisham in the ninth. This was Lawrence's second blown save in his last three outings, which could be bad news for his ability to retain the closer role. The right-hander is 8-for-11 in save chances with eight holds, a 2.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 56:24 K:BB through 54.2 innings overall.

Diaz struck out one batter in a perfect inning to earn a save over the Cubs on Monday.

Diaz faced the top of Chicago's order with Cincinnati clinging to a one-run ninth-inning and made things look easy, throwing all nine of his pitches for a strike to retire the side in order. The fireballer finished July having converted all 10 of his save opportunities, allowing just three earned runs over 11.1 innings and posting an 11:1 K:BB. Diaz has emerged as one of the league's elite closers in his second big-league campaign, leading the majors with 32 saves and posting a 12.9 K/9 over 50 appearances.

Rogers (5-4) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk over one inning to take the loss in extra innings versus the Diamondbacks. He did not record a strikeout.

The Giants were able to rally from behind to tie the game in the 10th inning, but they didn't have a second comeback in them. Rogers saw his 6.1-inning scoreless streak come to a close. Since he only gave up an unearned run, he didn't do damage to his ERA, which is at 2.65 with a 1.10 WHIP and 44:18 K:BB through 37.1 innings this season. Rogers has added six holds and a save while filling a versatile role that often sees him picking up late-inning work.

Junis allowed a hit and struck out three without walking a batter over three scoreless innings in Monday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to Arizona. He did not factor in the decision.

Junis started for the first time in 28 appearances this season, and he delivered a solid, albeit short, outing. Alex Wood piggybacked Junis and gave up two runs over 2.2 innings. Junis has had mostly mixed results as a multi-inning reliever this season, posting a 4.55 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 69:17 K:BB through 59.1 innings. He's had little middle ground lately, allowing multiple runs in six of his last 12 outings while posting scoreless appearances in the other six games in that span. The right-hander may continue to get looks as an opener on piggyback option, but it's unlikely the Giants would stretch him out as a traditional starter this late in the year.

McGough struck out two without putting a runner on base to earn the save in Monday's 4-3 win over the Giants in 11 innings.

McGough uncorked a wild pitch that moved the initial runner to third base, but that was his only mistake. The save was his ninth of the year and his second in a row, but McGough's chances to close are likely to dry up following Arizona's trade for Paul Sewald. McGough has a 4.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 65:20 K:BB with 13 holds and four blown saves over 52.1 innings -- he should be able to maintain a setup role, and his strikeout upside could keep him on the fantasy radar in NL-only formats.

Assad tossed 3.2 scoreless innings of relief in Monday's loss to the Reds. He allowed one hit and three walks, while striking out four.

Assad continued his strong recent play, as he's now recorded five straight scoreless outings, a span of 11.1 innings. That's allowed the righty to lower his season ERA to 3.24. The Cubs don't need Assad in the rotation at the moment, so he should remain a valuable long-relief option, which doesn't do him any favors in fantasy leagues.

Kimbrel worked a clean ninth inning to pick up the save in Monday's 4-2 win over the Marlins.

Kimbrel's pitched to a pristine 0.82 ERA over his last 22 innings -- he's allowed just three earned runs since the start of June. Overall, his ERA is down to 3.13 with a 0.96 WHIP and 65:18 K:BB across 46 innings this season while converting 18 of 19 save opportunities.

Finnegan struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save over the Brewers on Monday.

Finnegan tossed 11 of 15 pitches for strikes and had no issue finishing off the 5-3 win Monday. He's allowed just two hits during his 5.2-inning scoreless streak. While he's converted just 15 of his 22 save chances this season, Finnegan's season ERA sits at a solid 3.00 with a 43:14 K:BB through 45 innings.

The Royals traded Cuas to the Cubs on Monday in exchange for Nelson Velazquez.

Cuas hasn't been particularly reliable out of the bullpen for the Royals this season with a 4.54 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 41.2 innings. Nonetheless, he'll add depth to a Cubs bullpen that has already dealt with a handful of injuries throughout the year.