MLB Player News

The Cubs selected Borucki's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Borucki will have a chance to make his 2023 debut with the Cubs after signing with the club as a non-roster invitee over the winter. The left-hander will be an option in the middle innings while with Chicago. Caleb Kilian was optioned to Iowa in the corresponding transaction.

The Cubs optioned Kilian to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Kilian was ineffective in his first start of the season with the Cubs on Saturday against the Marlins, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in just 3.1 innings. The right-hander could be a starting option again for Chicago if necessary, but Saturday's outing didn't exactly inspire much confidence. Ryan Borucki was brought up from Iowa in a corresponding transaction.

The Nationals selected Machado's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Machado gives the Nationals a fresh arm in the bullpen and has pitched solidly in the International League with a 2.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 12.1 innings in 10 appearances. He'll likely serve as a middle-relief arm initially.

The Nationals designated Banda for assignment Sunday.

He'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster after the Nationals called up reliever Andres Machado from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move. In 10 appearances across seven innings for the Nationals, Banda struggled to a 6.43 ERA and 6:5 K:BB.

Graterol picked up a save in Saturday's 1-0 victory over St. Louis. He allowed one hit over one scoreless inning and did not walk a batter.

Graterol has not allowed a run over his last seven appearances. The right-hander appears to be sharing closer duties with Evan Phillips this year. The former Twin has been a dependable option this season, posting a 1.00 WHIP with no blown saves.

Diaz picked up a save against the Athletics on Saturday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth inning.

The Reds trailed by a run entering the ninth, but they plated a pair to get the ball in Diaz's hands with a one-run lead. The fireballing closer took over from there, needing 14 pitches to retire the side in order, all on punchouts. Diaz is a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities this season, posting a 3.00 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 19:2 K:BB over nine innings.

Rogers (0-1) gave up two runs on three hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Padres.

The game was played at altitude in Mexico City, making this a pitcher's worst nightmare. Rogers was the unlucky one who gave up a two-run home run to Manny Machado in the seventh inning, which put the Padres ahead for good. Rogers had allowed just one run over 14.1 innings prior to Saturday, and he has a still-solid 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with a 13:3 K:BB through 12 appearances this season. He's also picked up a save and three holds as a high-leverage option in the Giants' bullpen.

Williams picked up the save in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Angels. He only faced two batters, allowing one hit before forcing a lineout to end the game.

Williams continues to pitch well for Milwaukee, as he has yet to allow a run across 9.1 innings this year. The right-hander's five saves are tied for fourth in the league, and he also sports a 2-0 record with a 0.86 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB.

Bednar earned a save against the Nationals in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Bednar inherited a 6-3 lead in the ninth inning and closed out the contest with ease, striking out two of the three batters he faced and retiring the side on 13 pitches. The 28-year-old picked up his ninth save of the campaign, putting him in a four-way tie for first in the league. Bednar has been as impressive as any reliever in MLB this season, complementing the saves total with a 17:1 K:BB while allowing just one earned run over 13 innings.

Martinez picked up the save in Saturday's 16-11 victory over San Francisco, as he struck out five and didn't allow a baserunner across two shutout innings.

The right-hander began the season as a starter but has moved to the bullpen, with Joe Musgrove back in the rotation. Martinez was the most dominant pitcher for either team in a slugfest, as he struck out five of the six batters he faced. The save is likely to be an anomaly, as the Padres scored four insurance runs during the bottom of the eighth inning to eliminate the need for closer Josh Hader. Martinez has five shutout innings as a reliever this season and a 3.34 ERA overall.