MLB Player News

Matzek (3-2) picked up the win Wednesday over the Red Sox, walking one and striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.

He became the pitcher of record when Atlanta took the lead for the first time in the top of the seventh. Matzek threw 17 of 26 pitches for strikes as he continues to rack up whiffs -- on the season, the southpaw has a 24:5 K:BB through 16.2 innings to go along with a 3.24 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.

Hill (2-0) earned the win Wednesday against the Angels after allowing one walk across two-thirds of an inning.

Hill entered the game in the seventh inning with one out and quickly closed out the inning, retiring Anthony Bemboom and Luis Rengifo. He walked Shohei Ohtani to start the eighth before getting lifted, though. Hill has been impressive this season and extended his streak of scoreless appearances to nine, posting a 0.68 WHIP and a 9.8 K/9 in that stretch.

Lamet didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's win over the Angels. He allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while fanning six across 6.1 innings.

Lamet has been one of the most surprising pitchers in the NL this season and, even though he has allowed three runs in each of his last two starts, he is yet to give up more than three earned runs in any of his eight outings to date. He owns a 2.62 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in 44.2 innings in 2020 -- both numbers would be career-high marks for the 28-year-old right-hander.

Jansen (2-0) earned the win in Wednesday's victory over the Diamondbacks. He allowed one run on two walks while fanning one through one inning.

Jansen allowed a run in the top of the 10th inning after walking Christian Walker with the bases loaded, but the offense bailed him out with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Jansen has allowed runs in two of his last five appearances, but he remains one of the most effective relievers in the National League with a 1.13 ERA in 18 outings.

Ginkel allowed a run on two hits while striking out one and blew the save in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Dodgers.

This was the first save chance for the Diamondbacks since they traded closer Archie Bradley, and it did not go well for Ginkel, who entered with a 1-0 lead to start the ninth inning. He hung a 2-2 slider to Mookie Betts, who wiped out the slim lead and sent the game into extras. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he plans to use a committee of relievers to close games: Ginkel, Stefan Crichton, Junior Guerra, Yoan Lopez and Hector Rondon. All five of them are controllable beyond this season, so it's logical to assume Lovullo is using the month of September as an audition for the team's closer in 2021.

Iglesias (2-2) recorded the win Wednesday against the Cardinals after allowing one hit with two walks and two strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.

The 30-year-old entered during the eighth in a 3-3 tie and stranded a runner, and he was able to work through some trouble in the top of the ninth to give the Reds a chance to get the walkoff victory, which they did. Iglesias has a 4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 17:4 K:BB over 12 innings while converting four of five save chances, and he's set to remain the team's closer despite the acquisition of Archie Bradley earlier this week.

Bard earned the save in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Giants by retiring the side in order with two strikeouts during the ninth inning.

The veteran right-hander had a nice three-run cushion and took care of the Giants with ease to close things out Wednesday. Bard has a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 ERA and 19:3 K:BB through 16 innings and has converted all four of his save chances this season.

Hader hit a batter and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 8-5 win over the Tigers.

Hader plunked Jorge Bonifacio to start the ninth inning, but retired the next three batters on nine pitches to get the save. Hader hasn't allowed a hit in 12 appearances, an MLB record to start a season, but he has issued 10 walks in 11.2 innings. The 26-year-old has nine saves, 18 strikeouts and a 1.54 ERA this season.

Melancon did not allow a baserunner and struck out all three batters he faced to earn the save Wednesday against the Red Sox.

Melancon was called upon to protect a two-run lead and did so in dominant fashion to grab his eighth save of the season. He needed only 14 pitches to strike out the side and has now put together three consecutive scoreless outings. Melancon has a solid 2.63 ERA with nine strikeouts and four walks across 13.2 innings and has a firm grip on the closer role in Atlanta.

Kelly (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The 32-year-old has been sidelined since Aug. 10 with right shoulder inflammation, but he appears to be nearing his return. Manager Dave Roberts said Kelly could be return from the injured list late next week, but he'll still need to serve a five-game suspension once activated.