MLB Player News

Megill struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Pirates.

Megill picked up his second save in as many days and his third since the start of August. The right-hander threw seven of 12 pitches for strikes to get this conversion, making him the 12th reliever to reach 20 saves this season. He's maintained a 2.70 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 51:11 K:BB through 43.1 innings on the year. Aaron Ashby or DL Hall would be the top options for an ancillary save chance since the Brewers' bullpen is likely to be shorthanded Thursday, as Megill, Antonio Senzatela and Abner Uribe have all pitched consecutive days.

Fuentes secured the save Wednesday against the Marlins, throwing 1.1 clean innings. He struck out two.

Closer Raisel Iglesias wasn't sharp in Tuesday's outing against Miami, giving up a pair of runs, which perhaps prompted Atlanta to turn a different direction for Wednesday's save situation. Although Fuentes has emerged as a real weapon out of the bullpen after scuffling to a 13.85 ERA last regular season, he doesn't appear to be a legitimate threat to Iglesias' closer role. Through 48.1 innings, Fuentes sports a 2.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 61:15 K:BB with 12 holds plus two saves in five chances.

Zeferjahn allowed a solo home run but also retired two batters via strikeout to earn a hold in Wednesday's 7-6 win over the Dodgers.

Zeferjahn allowed a solo home run to Shohei Ohtani, which happens to even the best pitchers. The hard-throwing righty rebounded from that small blemish to tally two more strikeouts, bringing his season-long total to 77 across 53.1 innings. Zeferjahn has now recorded a hold in each of his first two appearances since joining the Cubs at the trade deadline, working ahead of Jacob Webb on both occasions. That seems to indicate that Webb has the inside track on the closer role, at least until Daniel Palencia (elbow) returns, but Zeferjahn has the stuff to be effective in the ninth inning if the Cubs decide to go in that direction at some point.

Webb tossed a scoreless ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's 7-6 win over the Dodgers.

After starter Shota Imanaga allowed just one run in his five innings of work, Chicago's middle relievers allowed five runs in three innings. Webb then managed to slow down the imposing Los Angeles lineup for his sixth save of the season. The righty has pitched well with a 2.49 ERA and 56 strikeouts across 50.2 innings this year, and he's done a good job since stepping into the closer role. However, Daniel Palencia (elbow) is due back soon, and the Cubs also picked up Ryan Zeferjahn at the trade deadline, which clouds the back end of Chicago's bullpen a bit moving forward. At the very least, Webb has earned the opportunity to keep seeing high-leverage work, possibly as part of a closer committee.

The Diamondbacks placed Thompson on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a lower-back strain, Jody Jackson of DBacks.tv reports.

Thompson may have tweaked his back during his last appearance in a 9-4 loss to Padres on Tuesday, when he allowed one run on three hits and one walk in just one-third of an inning. To bolster their bullpen in Thompson's absence, the Diamondbacks recalled southpaw Philip Abner from Triple-A Reno.

The Diamondbacks recalled Abner from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday, Jody Jackson of DBacks.tv reports.

As expected, Abner will rejoin the Diamondbacks bullpen after Ryan Thompson (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Abner has spent most of this season in Triple-A, where he has a 4.60 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 31.1 innings.

Cincinnati recalled Mey from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Mey will be up with the Reds for the third time this season after posting a 7.27 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 14:10 K:BB in 8.2 innings over seven appearances between his prior two stints in the big leagues. He'll likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Washington activated Lord (side) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

After completing a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester, Lord has been cleared to return to the big-league club. Before landing on the IL, the 26-year-old posted a 3.88 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB over 58 innings. The Nationals designated right-hander Zack Littell for assignment in a corresponding move.

Milwaukee optioned Anderson to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Anderson will give up his spot on the active roster to lefty Kyle Harrison (forearm), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Pirates. The 29-year-old righty has been serviceable out of the bullpen this season with a 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB through 48.2 innings, so he shouldn't have to wait long before getting another call-up to Milwaukee.

The Pirates reinstated Devenski (illness) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday and outrighted him to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Devenski had been on the shelf since May 7 due to an unspecified illness. Though the veteran right-hander is healthy again after having made five minor-league rehab appearances since the All-Star break, the Pirates didn't have room for him in the big-league bullpen and dropped him from the 40-man roster. He looks set to report to Indianapolis, though he also has the ability to elect free agency if he wants to pursue opportunities outside of the organization.