MLB Player News

Williams picked up the save Friday against Atlanta. He allowed two hits and no walks while striking out two and was not charged with a run over 1.1 innings.

The veteran closer was called upon with two outs and runners on second and third in the eighth inning and allowed an inherited runner to score on an infield single, but he then induced a flyout and returned for the ninth to finish off his second save in as many days. Williams has given up just one run with a 12:4 K:BB across his past six appearances and has been scored upon just twice in his past 17 outings dating back to April 26. His 5.01 ERA and 1.50 WHIP remain inflated, but Williams has still secured 10 of 11 save chances and has a 14.3 K/9 across 23.1 innings this year.

Agnos (0-2) allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over 2.2 innings of relief, taking the loss Friday versus the Athletics.

Agnos returned to the bullpen after making a start versus the Brewers last Saturday. The 25-year-old was responsible for the Athletics' two-run frames in the sixth and eighth innings. With a 7.80 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 30:18 K:BB through 42.2 innings over 18 appearances (two starts), Agnos probably won't get many more chances to start. Sean Sullivan was called up Friday to make his big-league debut and tossed three scoreless innings before leaving the game due to an illness, but the last spot in the Rockies' rotation will likely go to Sullivan until Tanner Gordon (hip) is ready to return.

Assad (4-1) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out five over six scoreless innings to earn the win over the Giants on Friday.

Assad received a favorable matchup for his return to the Cubs' rotation, and he made good on it. He's tossed 12.1 scoreless innings against the Giants over his last two appearances since rejoining the big club June 6. The right-hander looks poised to get a stretch of starts while Jameson Taillon (hamstring) and Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) remain out. Over 10 appearances (four starts) this season, Assad has a 3.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:9 K:BB through 38.1 innings. Assad is penciled in for a home start versus the Rockies next week.

The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Cornelio will head back to the minors after allowing four earned runs in 6.1 innings across his two appearances since joining the big club Sunday. He now owns a 6.48 ERA and 1.92 WHIP with the Nationals but remains an option to make a spot start or provide length out of the bullpen later this summer.

Bachar will serve as the Marlins' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Pirates, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins will be relying on their bullpen to get through Saturday's contest, and it will be Bachar taking the mound to begin the game. The 31-year-old fared well during his latest opening assignment last Saturday against the Rays, striking out three batters across three perfect innings. He'll likely be asked to give the Marlins around 3-to-4 innings and 50 pitches in Pittsburgh.

Megill (oblique) gave up one hit and struck out two batters during a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Athletics.

Megill had been unavailable out of the bullpen earlier in the week due to oblique tightness, but a few days of rest were all he needed to return to full health. The 32-year-old reliever owns a 4.50 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 24 frames this season, but he's given up just two runs and struck out 12 batters in his last nine innings.

The Cubs optioned Ferguson to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Ferguson gave up one earned run and struck out three batters in 1.1 innings during his lone appearance after joining the big-league bullpen Tuesday. He'll be sent back to Triple-A now that Trent Thornton has returned from paternity leave, but Ferguson could be an option to return to Chicago later in the year to provide the Cubs with a fresh arm.

The Cubs reinstated Thornton from the paternity list Friday.

Thornton will return to the Cubs' bullpen after spending the past three days welcoming a new addition to his family. Tyler Ferguson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

The Brewers recalled Yoho from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Yoho will return to the Brewers' bullpen to fill the void left by Coleman Crow, who landed on the injured list Friday with a forearm strain. Yoho has allowed one run and struck out five batters in three innings with the big club this season and will likely work in middle relief as long as he's in the majors.

The Nationals designated Fernandez (undisclosed) for assignment Friday.

The right-hander has been on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Rochester with an unspecified injury for nearly a month, and he's now lost his place on the 40-man roster. Fernandez made three appearances with Washington early this season and gave up one earned runs with a 3:2 K:BB across four innings.