MLB Player News

Dominguez was saddled with a blown save and a loss after allowing a pair of runs on a walk and three hits while getting just one out Sunday against the Nationals.

Dominguez was called on to face the toughest part of the Nationals' order with a man on first and one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, holding a slim, one-run lead. He couldn't get the job done, allowing a double to Bryce Harper and singles to Daniel Murphy and Michael Taylor. The rookie's first 12 appearances were stellar, as he threw 14.2 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts and allowed just three baserunners. He's fallen down to earth over his last eight appearances, allowing six runs and 16 baserunners in nine innings. Notably, Dominguez never pitched on back-to-back days in that first stretch but has done so three times in the latter stretch, with a 3.00 WHIP and a 12.00 ERA in those appearances. The Phillies may need to back off his usage a bit for him to remain effective.

Pivetta didn't factor into the decision against the Nationals on Sunday, giving up two earned runs on eight hits over five innings. He struck out seven and walked two as the Phillies eventually fell 8-6.

Coming off his monster 13-strikeout effort against the Cardinals, Pivetta pitched well again against the Nationals but didn't find himself in line for the win as his bullpen gave up six earned runs after he departed. He's been susceptible to getting blown up from time to time, part of the reason his ERA is still high at 4.06 through 84.1 innings. He's a great source of strikeouts, however, with a 101:24 K:BB, and he's failed to punch out six or more batters just once in his past eight starts. He'll take on this same Nationals team in his next start, this time at home next Friday.

Hand (1-4) took the loss and blew the save in the Padres' 3-2 extra-innings defeat to the Giants on Sunday, giving up two earned runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout in his one-third of an inning.

This marked the second straight blown save for Hand and fourth of the season in 25 opportunities. He's been struggling of late overall, with five earned runs over his last four appearances. He had been having a fine season prior to this recent rough stretch, and he still sports a solid 2.82 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP to go along with his 21 saves, which has him tied with Colorado's Wade Davis for the most in the National League. His recent struggles would likely need to persist for longer before there start to be any serious questions regarding Hand's job security. However, San Diego still could trade him at the deadline if they fall out of the playoff race -- maybe to a club that'll deploy him as a setup arm.

Hudson, who was passed up for Monday's spot start against the Indians, allowed just one earned run on seven hits and a walk over eight innings in Triple-A Memphis' win over New Orleans on Saturday.

Hudson also struck out five, and Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports that he is now 4-0 with an 0.64 ERA over his last four starts. The promising right-hander also leads the Pacific Coast League with a 2.04 ERA across his 14 starts (88.1 innings). While he missed out on Monday's opportunity with the Cardinals, Hudson increasingly appears like a lock to be called up at some point this summer.

Rodriguez threw seven strong innings in a no-decision against the Padres on Sunday, giving up one earned run on four hits, striking out six and walking one as the Giants eventually prevailed 3-2 in extra innings.

This was the best outing of the season so far for the 26-year-old right-hander, who has now thrown three quality starts in five trips to the mound as a starter since making his season debut as a reliever on May 29. He has a 3.82 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP and a 28:7 K:BB through 30.2 innings, which are all respectable if not spectacular numbers. He's slated to take the mound next against the Diamondbacks next Saturday.

Barraclough needed just 10 pitches to work a perfect ninth inning Sunday, picking up the save in an 8-5 win over Colorado.

Since taking over as the Marlins closer at the end of May, Barraclough is now a perfect 6-for-6 in save chances in 10 scoreless innings. In fact, he hasn't allowed a hit in the entire month of June, his lone blemish being a walk. His season ERA is down to a stifling 1.05 with a 35:16 K:BB.

Boxberger worked around a hit in a scoreless inning of work to earn his 17th save of the season Sunday against the Pirates.

Boxberger allowed Austin Meadows to reach base with one out, only to induce a double-play ball two pitches later to close things out. The veteran had blown each of his last two save opportunities, so this was a nice bounce-back effort. His ERA now sits at 3.62 to go along with a 1.35 WHIP, but there's been nothing to indicate he won't be the top option in save situations for the time being.

Iglesias pitched a perfect ninth inning Sunday against the Cubs, picking up his 13th save of the season.

He did not strike anyone out but now has four saves on four chances in the last week. There is no debating Iglesias' talent, but he had two knocks on him coming into the year: He may not get a ton of save opportunities because the Reds wouldn't win many games, and he could be traded to a contender at the trade deadline. The team got off to a bad start but has now won 10 of their last 12 games, so the save chances have been coming at a higher frequency of late.

Estevez (elbow) was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque for a rehab assignment Sunday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Estevez missed the start of the season with an oblique injury and then was shut down in April after suffered an elbow strain while rehabbing. He appears to be nearing a return to action.

Underwood will start Monday against the Dodgers, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs will need an extra starter after Tyler Chatwood was unable to start Sunday with his wife in labor. Underwood will be called upon to make his major-league debut. He projects as a reliever long-term, with below-average command of a limited repertoire. He has a mediocre 4.27 ERA in 71.2 innings for Triple-A Iowa this season.