MLB Player News

Boxberger (1-4) blew his fifth save of the season Thursday with a three-run meltdown against the Cubs.

The usually reliable closer entered the game with a two-run lead but his leadoff walk to Ben Zobrist was a sign of things to come. He served up a home run to David Bote to tie things up and Anthony Rizzo blasted a 453-foot bomb to walk things off at Wrigley. Thursday marked Boxberger's first blown save since June 22, a span of 12 appearances.

Hader picked up his third win of the season in Thursday's victory over the Giants.

Hader tossed 1.1 perfect innings and punched out two batters, which raises his strikeout total on the season to a whopping 96. Since giving up two home runs against the Marlins in a July 9 outing, Hader has tossed 5.1 scoreless innings while giving up just two hits and posting an 11:0 K:BB.

Rodriguez fired six innings Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in the 7-5 loss to the Brewers. He struck out five and allowed a homer in the no-decision.

The 26-year-old rookie right-hander continues to impress at the MLB level for San Francisco. Rodriguez still owns a 2.75 ERA and a 47:14 K:BB alongside his 5-1 record. His only big mistake in Thursday's start was a solo blast off the bat of Christian Yelich in the sixth frame. Rodriguez will aim for his sixth win Tuesday in San Diego.

Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday.

The Brewers needed to clear a roster spot after recalling Orlando Arcia and plugging him into the lineup, and Lopez was the casualty in that case after a short cup of coffee with the big league club. Lopez tossed three scoreless and hitless innings in his one outing with the Brewers during his most recent callup. He figures to be on a short list of relievers to be recalled the next time the Brewers need a fresh arm.

The Giants recalled Blach from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Blach was optioned to Sacramento after Wednesday's game, but the Giants apparently decided to put that move on hold for now. He will continue working out of the Giants' bullpen for the time being.

Stephenson has gone 6-1 with a 1.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB over 43 innings in his last seven starts at Triple-A Louisville.

The low walk total may be the most notable aspect of that stat line, as Stephenson's wayward control has long been the biggest hurdle he has had to overcome in his development. A seven-start sample can't be taken as evidence that Stephenson has completely turned the corner, but the hot run might be enough for him to get another look with the Reds in the second half as a starter or multi-inning relief man.

Suter (torn UCL) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

This opens up a 40-man roster spot for the recently acquired Joakim Soria. Suter is likely headed for Tommy John surgery and figures to miss the entire 2019 season.

Dominguez walked two and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless innings Wednesday to pick up his 10th save of the season in a 7-3 win over the Dodgers.

The right-hander is suddenly having control issues. After heading into the All-Star break with a 43:6 K:BB through 33.2 innings, Dominguez has walked five batters in two innings over three appearances coming out of the break. His numbers on the season remain strong, but if the 23-year-old continues to have trouble finding the plate, the Phillies have other options they could turn to on a more consistent basis in the ninth inning.

Hudson was pulled early from Wednesday's start at Triple-A Memphis in anticipation of a possible callup, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The right-hander was abruptly pulled with one out in the second, and a Cardinals official confirmed the move was unrelated to any injury. While an official promotion to the big-league club hasn't been confirmed, it's notable that Hudson seemed to be receiving congratulatory sentiments from his manager Stubby Clapp and several teammates after exiting the contest. The Cardinals' starting rotation is currently in flux, with Carlos Martinez (oblique) still needing to get through a Friday throwing session before being confirmed for Monday's start, and projected Sunday starter John Gant having been forced into relief duty Wednesday. If promoted, Hudson will have to be placed on the 40-man roster.

Edwards (3-1) picked up the win Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, striking out two in a pair of scoreless innings.

Edwards was a very effective bridge between starter Jon Lester and temporary closer Pedro Strop, striking out all six batters he faced. The 26-year-old continues his strong season, recording a 2.84 ERA and an excellent 14.2 K/9, though he's yet to record a save, even with closer Brandon Morrow making multiple trips to the disabled list.