MLB Player News

Howard (1-1) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings Monday, striking out four and earning the win against Washington.

Howard earned his first big-league victory with a solid performance. He cruised through four scoreless frames before serving up a two-run homer to Juan Soto in the fifth. Howard will carry a 5.40 ERA into Saturday's road contest against the Mets.

Williams (3-1) allowed just one walk over 1.2 innings and struck out four to earn the win versus the Pirates on Monday.

Williams got the last two outs of the seventh inning and added a clean eighth to keep the game tied at five. The Brewers took the lead in the bottom of the eighth to make him the pitcher of record, and Josh Hader was able to lock down the save. Williams has been wonderful this season, with a 0.64 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 29 strikeouts across 14 innings. He's also added five holds, and with David Phelps no longer on the roster, he's now the clear-cut setup man in Milwaukee.

Hader pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out all three batters he faced to earn the save in Monday's 6-5 win over the Pirates.

Hader needed 18 pitches, but he was able to fan Cole Tucker, Erik Gonzalez and Adam Frazier to protect a one-run lead. The 26-year-old Hader is up to eight saves in this year. It was a solid bounce-back effort after his blown save against the Pirates on Saturday. The closer has a 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 17 strikeouts through 10.2 innings this year.

Suter gave up two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out three over three innings in a no-decision versus the Pirates on Monday.

Erik Gonzalez hit a two-run homer against Suter, but the southpaw was otherwise solid in his spot start. The 31-year-old has compiled a 4.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 21 strikeouts across 17.2 innings this season. Suter will likely return to a bullpen role going forward -- his nine previous appearances this year came in relief.

Melancon threw a perfect ninth inning in Monday's win over Boston to earn his seventh save of the season.

Melancon needed just eight pitches to force a groundout and a pair of flyouts in Monday's victory. He lowered his season ERA to 2.84 and has converted his last three save chances, making him 7-for-8 on the year.

Gallegos struck out both batters he faced to record his second save of the season in Monday's 7-5 win over the Reds.

Austin Gomber and Jake Woodford coughed up three runs between them in the eighth and ninth innings, creating the save situation that Gallegos handled easily. The right-hander has yet to give up a run in 2020 and has posted a 10:0 K:BB through eight innings, and he seems to be tightening his grip on a Cards closer job that has been unsettled all season.

Hudson (1-2) picked up the win in Monday's 7-5 victory over the Reds, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits over seven innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

It was the right-hander's best outing so far in 2020 and his second straight quality start, as Hudson set season highs in innings and strikeouts. He fired 63 of 95 pitches for strikes, and got plenty of run support to secure his first win as the Cards scored in each of the first four frames. Hudson will take a 2.77 ERA and 23:7 K:BB through 26 innings into his next start Saturday during a doubleheader against the Cubs.

Morejon was activated from the injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Rockies, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Morejon was placed on the injured list Saturday, with team declining to go into details surrounding the southpaw's health. It wound up being just a short stint on the injured list for the left-hander. Morejon was previously scheduled to start last Saturday against the Rockies, but it's currently unclear if he will make his next appearance as a starter or in relief.

Banda was acquired by the Giants on Monday, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

Banda was designated for assignment by the Rays on Sunday, but he'll find a new home just one day later. The lefty hasn't been particularly effective out of the major-league bullpen this season as he carries a 10.29 ERA and 4:5 K:BB over seven innings.

Topa's contract was selected from the Brewers' alternate training site Monday.

An unheralded righty reliever, Topa apparently turned heads this summer at the alternate training site, so the Brewers want to give him a look with the roster spot that opened up after David Phelps was traded to Philadelphia. He had a 2.63 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 24 innings at Double-A last year as a 28-year-old.