MLB Player News

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.

Yarbrough allowed a run on three hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 4.1 innings as the bulk reliever in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Padres. He did not factor in the decision.

Yarbrough's no stranger to working behind an opener in his career, and the Dodgers appear to want to continue that, at least for now. It worked in his team debut, though the bullpen couldn't maintain the lead after an eighth-inning meltdown. Yarbrough has started seven of his 15 appearances this season, posting a 4.07 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB through 55.1 innings while earning a 4-5 record. With Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) expected back next week, Yarbrough may have to settle for a more traditional multi-inning relief role unless the Dodgers want to go with something resembling a six-man rotation.

Thompson will work as the Cardinals' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Rockies, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Thompson was effective in his last two relief appearances, and he'll now get the chance to start with the big club Sunday for the first time this season. He hasn't tossed more than 33 pitches in a big-league game this season, so he likely won't work deep enough into Sunday's contest to qualify for a win.

Blach (1-1) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two over 4.2 innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Cardinals.

Blach had pitched eight scoreless innings over his previous two outings, both starts, but he wasn't so fortunate this time around. Just two of the hits he allowed went for extra bases, but those knocks were responsible for three of the runs on his line. The veteran southpaw has a 4.85 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB through 26 innings over 10 appearances (three starts) this season. With the Rockies desperate for starting pitching, he should remain in the rotation, and he's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Dodgers next week.

Miller (neck) threw a scoreless inning in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Saturday's appearance was Miller's first since being placed on the injured list in June, and he was sharp in his first game back, serving up a single but striking out three batters. Miller is on the 60-day injured list, so he will not rejoin the big club until at least Aug. 20.