MLB Player News

Zeferjahn notched a save against the Pirates on Saturday by striking out the only batter he faced.

Chicago took a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning and began the ninth with Ryan Rolison, who had already completed one frame, on the mound. Rolison gave up an infield single followed by two outs, and manager Craig Counsell then turned to Zeferjahn, who struck out Bryan Reynolds on six pitches to slam the door shut. The save was Zeferjahn's second over his past three outings dating back to Sept. 5, and no other Cubs reliever has logged a save during that stretch. Jacob Webb and Daniel Palencia have both had their share of struggles lately, so Zeferjahn could be sneaking into the closer mix late in the campaign, though it's too early to say he's the team's primary ninth-inning option.

Romano blew a save against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks over one inning.

Colorado held a 7-4 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Rockies' bullpen couldn't hold the advantage. Jaden Hill allowed five straight batters to reach base without getting an out, and Romano couldn't do much better, walking the first two batters he faced before giving up a two-out, two-run triple. The veteran reliever had a stretch of nine appearances without giving up an earned run from mid-August to early September, but over his past three outings he's blown two saves while giving up four earned runs across 2.2 frames. Colorado doesn't have many reliable options in its bullpen, so Romano probably isn't in imminent danger of losing his closer role.

Gordon allowed four runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out five batters over four innings in a no-decision against Detroit on Saturday.

Of the Tigers' 10 hits against Gordon, four -- including a Kevin McGonigle solo homer -- went for extra bases. It was the second time this season the righty hurler has surrendered double-digit hits and the ninth time he's yielded at least four earned runs. Gordon had a promising two-start stretch to end August during which he gave up just two runs over 12 innings, but since then he's allowed nine runs across his subsequent two outings spanning 8.2 frames. He'll carry a season-long 5.55 ERA into his next start, which is tentatively slated to be a matchup versus San Diego at Coors Field.

Estrada (shoulder) hadn't resumed throwing as of Sept. 8, and he may not be able to return from the injured list before the end of the campaign, MLB.com reports.

Estrada has been on the IL three different times this season, with his latest stint coming as the result of a right shoulder impingement. Though the righty reliever has been rehabbing in Arizona, the fact that he's yet to resume throwing suggests that he's not certain to pitch again this season. Estrada had been a key late-inning asset for the Padres before getting hurt, recording 13 holds and one save while posting a 3.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 31 innings spanning 33 appearances.

Adam (shoulder) could soon begin a minor-league rehab stint with Triple-A El Paso, MLB.com reports.

Adam threw a bullpen session Sept. 7 and faced hitters in Arizona on Sept. 10, setting him up to potentially join El Paso in the coming days. The veteran reliever last pitched for the Padres on June 29, so he may need a couple outings in the minors before rejoining the big-league bullpen. Still, Adam doesn't seem to be far off from full clearance and could be back with San Diego within the next week.

The Nationals transferred Waldron (chest) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Waldron landed on the injured list Tuesday with chest inflammation, so his move to the 60-day IL will officially rule him out for the rest of the season. He'll close the book on the 2026 campaign after accumulating a 6.54 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with a 33:11 K:BB across 42.2 innings between San Diego, Toronto and Washington. Chase Hampton was claimed off waivers from the Yankees to fill the open spot on the 40-man roster.

The Cubs placed Thornton on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left ankle soreness, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Thornton has been one of the more reliable members of a shaky Cubs bullpen this season, but his move to the IL will prevent him from pitching in a game until the final day of the regular season. Edward Cabrera (finger) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move and will join Chicago's bullpen to fill the void left by Thornton.

The Nationals reinstated Lovelady (triceps) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

A triceps strain has kept Lovelady out since late June, but he began a rehab assignment Sept. 1 and has since allowed three earned runs while striking out four batters and walking one across 5.1 innings. Now fully healthy, he could enter the mix for high-leverage work with team saves leader Clayton Beeter heading back to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Tolman gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Friday, recording his second save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Angels. He didn't strike out a batter.

The rookie southpaw wasn't sharp, tossing 15 of 25 pitches for strikes, but Tolman was able to escape with the save. He's been scored upon in three straight appearances but also has the Nationals' only two saves over the last month, and with Clayton Beeter jettisoned to Triple-A, Tolman is nominally the top option for the team in the bullpen. Expect Washington manager Blake Butera to continue auditioning new potential high-leverage options over the final weeks with his focus firmly on 2027.

Graceffo (8-1) earned the win after walking one and striking out one over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning Friday against the White Sox.

Graceffo entered the game with one out and a runner on first in the top of the fifth inning, and even though he loaded the bases, he escaped the jam unscathed without allowing a single run. The brief appearance earned Graceffo his eighth win of the season while lowering his ERA to 2.68. He's been excellent in recent weeks, as he hasn't given up a run in his last eight outings while posting a 0.83 WHIP and a 18:5 K:BB across 13.1 innings over that span.