MLB Player News

Wilson (4-3) snagged the win in Sunday's comeback win over the Nationals. He retired the only two batters he faced with one strikeout.

Wilson relieved an ineffective Brandon Kintzler in the top of the ninth inning and kept Washington to just two runs in the frame and a 3-0 lead. The lefty then picked up a surprise win when the Cubs walked off the Nationals in the bottom of the inning on a David Bote grand slam. Wilson has been better this season after a rough debut with the Cubs last year, as he now has a 3.22 ERA through 44.2 innings.

Bass (back) was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday after he was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Bass was placed on the shelf July 21 after suffering a back strain, but following a rehab stint and clearing waivers, he'll head to the minors. Through 16 appearances out of the bullpen in 2018, Bass owns a 2.93 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 14 strikeouts across 15.1 frames.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ferguson is being prepared to be able to pitch in back-to-back games in the next week or so, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ferguson has taken on more high-leverage work in recent weeks, earning his first two career holds in his last four appearances. The 22-year-old took the ball from starter Walker Buehler in the eighth inning Saturday and tossed a perfect frame before JT Chargois ultimately blew the save. Ferguson's fastball has been up in the mid-90s since he shortened up from long relief and it's possible he eventually becomes a part of the closer committee in the absence of Kenley Jansen (irregular heartbeat), although the bullpen just became more crowded with the additions of Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling.

Blach (6-7) lasted just four innings after giving up four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five in a loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

The long reliever was promoted to the rotation following Chris Stratton's struggles as the Giants' fifth starter, but he failed to provide improved results in the role. One positive that can be taken away from Blach's start was the five strikeouts, which is a category in which the southpaw has struggled in this season (5.2 K/9). It is unclear whether the 27-year-old will get another turn in the rotation, especially after Casey Kelly posted five shutout innings in relief Saturday.

Hicks gave up a hit and struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up his third save of the season in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Royals.

He entered the game protecting a three-run lead with two outs in the eighth inning, but after the Cards tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the ninth, Hicks stuck around to close things out. The 21-year-old flamethrower has been getting good results since the All-Star break, posting a 0.79 ERA despite a 6:4 K:BB in 11.1 innings, but unless something happens to Bud Norris, Hicks will primarily remain in a set-up role down the stretch.

Alexander was charged with an earned run after surrendering a hit and striking out one over a third of an inning in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Rockies.

Alexander started the ninth inning with a two-run lead, but he was lifted in favor of J.T. Chargois after giving up a one-out double to Trevor Story. The latter was charged with the blown save after giving up a three-run homer to Ryan McMahon. Manager Dave Roberts stated that he removed Alexander due to an unfavorable matchup against Nolan Arenado, who had gone 1-for-3 with a home run against the southpaw prior to Saturday's matchup, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Despite combing for a blown save, Alexander's usage confirmed previous sentiments that he is the primary option atop a closing committee, but this situation remains fluid moving forward.

Hader struck out three in two perfect innings Saturday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Braves.

Corey Knebel's recent struggles have opened the door for Hader to close out games again, and he now has two saves in four August appearances after going the entire month of July without one. Manager Craig Counsell prefers to have Knebel working the ninth inning and reserve Hader for the highest-leverage situations, but until Knebel rights his ship, Hader's fantasy value will once again be on the rise.

Iglesias threw a 1-2-3 inning and struck out one against Arizona on Saturday to earn his 23rd save of the season.

The righty wrapped up a Reds win for the second straight night. While his pace for closures doesn't match that of many stoppers for more successful clubs, Iglesias has delivered sterling numbers (2.47 ERA, 9.4 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 in 51 innings), which still makes him a strong fantasy option.

Chargois (2-4) blew the save and took the loss Saturday against the Rockies, allowing two runs on one hit -- a home run -- while recording one out.

Scott Alexander began the ninth but was pulled after allowing a double to Trevor Story, as manager Dave Roberts wasn't going to let the lefty face Nolan Arenado. Chargois got the call, and he promptly hit Arenado with a pitch before allowing a walkoff three-run homer to Ryan McMahon. It seems this will indeed be a committee with Kenley Jansen (irregular heartbeat) on the disabled list, and Chargois does have the ever-enticing combo of strikeouts and groundballs, but this stumble may knock him down a rung or two.

Boshers was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

Boshers was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Tuesday and only pitched one inning with Indianapolis before making his way to the majors. The 30-year-old has a 3.18 ERA and 1.24 WHIP at Triple-A this season and a 4.59 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 78:25 K:BB over parts of three major-league seasons with the Twins.