MLB Player News

Dion did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Mets, allowing one walk while striking out seven over 4.1 hitless and scoreless innings.

Dion entered with two outs in the first inning and dominated the Mets, throwing 41 of 64 pitches for strikes with 11 whiffs. The southpaw has thrived with his new club, firing eight scoreless frames and picking up one win in three appearances since debuting with Washington on Aug. 5. For the year, he owns a 3.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 33:5 K:BB across 27.2 innings between the Guardians and Nationals.

Cruz (0-1) blew a save and took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk with one strikeout while recording one out in the ninth inning.

With Clayton Beeter used against the heart of the Mets' order in the eighth inning, Cruz got the ball with a one-run lead in the ninth. He allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base before ultimately surrendering a walk-off single to Francisco Lindor. It's been a rough go for the 26-year-old, as he's yielded five earned runs and blown two saves in five appearances with his new club. On the year, he owns a 6.48 ERA, 2.04 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB across just 8.1 innings with the Yankees and Nationals.

Peralta will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Guardians.

Peralta has given up 11 earned runs in 12.2 innings since the All-Star break, but the Padres will trust him to get through the first inning or two of Saturday's contest nonetheless. Randy Vasquez is likely to work in bulk relief once Peralta comes out of the game.

Montgomery recorded his fourth save of the season in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox, striking out the only batter he faced.

After Luke Weaver worked a perfect eighth inning, Kirby Yates got the call in the ninth to protect a five-run lead but ran into trouble with two outs, forcing manager Don Kelly to turn to Montgomery with the tying run in the on-deck circle. Despite the Pirates' veteran bullpen additions at the trade deadline, it's Montgomery who's collected the team's last two saves and three of the last four, with Gregory Soto getting the other. Montgomery has more than earned a shot at the full-time closer role -- he's been scored upon just once in his last 17 appearances dating back to June 29, producing a 1.15 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 32:6 K:BB in just 15.2 innings over that dominant stretch.

Pagan pitched a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 15th save of the season in a 1-0 win over the Marlins. He didn't strike out a batter.

The veteran reliever had been dealing with hand soreness earlier in the week and missed out on a save chance Thursday as a result, but Pagan didn't seem bothered by the issue Friday, firing eight of 11 pitches for strikes. He's gone 10 straight appearances without allowing a run since a rocky outing at Coors Field on July 19, posting a 0.40 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB in 10 innings over that stellar stretch while converting all eight of his save opportunities.

Webb worked around a hit to toss a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out one.

After 6.2 sparkling innings from starter Clay Holmes, Webb followed Ryan Rolison and Ryan Zeferjahn in shutting the door on St. Louis. Webb now has nine saves this season to go along with a strong 2.33 ERA and 10.2 K/9 across 54 innings. He appears to be Chicago's closer of choice at the moment, and he's pitched well enough that he could hold onto the role even after Daniel Palencia (elbow) returns from the injured list in the near future.

Santillan (oblique) struck out two and didn't allow any hits or walks during a scoreless inning Friday in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Louisville.

Santillan opened his rehab assignment on a high note, dispatching the side in order on 13 pitches (nine strikes). The right-handed reliever has been on the shelf since June 26 due to a left oblique strain and will likely require at least one more tune-up outing in the minors before rejoining the Cincinnati bullpen.

Lord is slated to start Saturday's game against the Mets at Citi Field, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Lord will be making his second straight appearance as a starter, after he allowed one earned run while striking out four over 2.2 innings and 51 pitches in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Reds. After the Nationals designated Zack Littell and Miles Mikolas for assignment within the past two weeks to clear a pair of spots in the rotation, Lord looks as though he's being stretched out to fill one of the openings. Since Lord will be operating with a limited pitch count once again Saturday, the Nationals could turn to lefty Will Dion to piggyback him. In Lord's previous start, Dion tossed three shutout innings of long relief to earn his first MLB win.

Diaz walked two and hit a batter while striking out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Friday's 3-1 win over the Brewers.

Diaz still made it interesting by loading the bases with two outs, but he was able to avoid giving up a run for just the third time in his last eight outings. This was his second save in his last five chances, but the Dodgers appear committed to letting him work through his struggles. Diaz has posted a 10.66 ERA, 2.45 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB while converting seven of 11 save opportunities across 12.2 innings this season.

Pintaro (1-0) earned the win in relief Friday against the Nationals after allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two over two scoreless innings.

Pintaro entered the game in the sixth inning with New York trailing 1-0 and kept Washington off the board long enough for the offense to take the lead in the bottom half of the frame. The right-hander allowed two baserunners in the sixth but retired all three batters he faced in the seventh before departing. In the end, he needed 34 pitches to secure his first major-league victory. Pintaro has made eight appearances in relief for the Mets this season and owns a 4.15 ERA with a 18:8 K:BB across 17.1 innings.