MLB Player News

Davidson tossed seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, giving up four hits and a walk while striking out eight.

The southpaw has been fantastic through his first two outings this year, posting a 0.64 ERA and 14:3 K:BB through 14 innings. Davidson stumbled in his brief big-league debut last season, but if the 25-year-old keeps dealing at Triple-A, he should get another look in the Atlanta rotation before long.

Jackson (1-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one in the seventh inning as Atlanta fell 4-1 to the Blue Jays.

Entering the game with the score tied 1-1, Jackson's first pitch was launched over the center-field fence by Teoscar Hernandez. The right-hander has a strong 1.93 ERA through 14 innings to begin the season, but his 12:8 K:BB indicates he's been more lucky than good.

Ponce de Leon (shoulder) has been assigned to Triple-A Memphis to begin a rehab assignment, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Ponce de Leon has been dealing with right shoulder inflammation for two weeks, but his rehab assignment signals that he's nearing his return to the major-league roster. Since Ponce de Leon has moved to the bullpen following his start in his season debut, he's unlikely to require much time to build up with Triple-A Memphis.

Garcia earned the save against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.

Garcia entered in the ninth inning and was tasked with protecting a one-run lead. He allowed a one-out single but escaped with the save after getting Eduardo Escobar to line into a game-ending double play. Garcia has now converted six of seven save opportunities while registering a 1.76 ERA and 15:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings.

Hand (2-2) blew the save and took the loss Wednesday as the Nationals fell 5-2 to the Phillies in 10 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits over one inning while striking out three.

Called up to protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, Hand instead served up a solo shot to Odubel Herrera. Nats manager Dave Martinez elected to leave the lefty on the mound to begin the 10th with Bryce Harper due up for the Phillies, but after Harper singled, Hand got the hook and Kyle Finnegan allowed the inherited runner to score. While his 2.92 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12.1 innings are solid, Hand has walked seven batters, blown his last two save chances and been tagged for runs in his last three appearances, putting his spot as Washington's closer in some jeopardy if he can't turn things around quickly.

Neris struck out one in a perfect 10th inning Wednesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

It didn't look like Neris' services would be needed when the Phillies headed into the ninth inning down 2-1, but the team tied it up in the top of the frame before tacking on three more runs in the 10th to set up the save chance. Neris sports a 2.60 ERA and 21:7 K:BB through 17.1 innings while blowing two of his nine save opportunities so far this season.

Hader allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across one inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Hader came on in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. He allowed a double and walk to the second and third batters he faced, but he retired the next two hitters to lock in his eighth save. Hader has also provided excellent ratios and strikeouts early on, highlighted by a 0.61 ERA and a 26:6 K:BB across 14.2 frames.

Chafin pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Wednesday's 2-1, extra-innings loss to Cleveland.

Chafin has pitched well lately, allowing just a single earned run over his last eight appearances (nine innings pitched) with eight strikeouts. That's allowed him to lower his season ERA to an even 3.00, and the lefty should continue to serve as a high-leverage reliever for the Cubs.

Weathers will start Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 21-year-old has pitched three innings of relief in each of his past two outings, but he'll make the start in Sunday's series finale versus St. Louis. Weathers may not pitch deep enough to qualify for the victory given his recent workload, and Dinelson Lamet could be in the mix to work behind him.

Pagan (3-0) allowed a hit and a walk and struck out three in one inning, earning the win in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Colorado.

Pagan relieved starter Yu Darvish and worked around a couple of baserunners in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Victor Caratini put San Diego ahead with a grand slam. Pagan has been effective as the primary setup man to closer Mark Melancon this year. Pagan has a 2.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB along with five holds and a blown save in 17 appearances spanning 15 innings.