MLB Player News

Bednar (3-8) was charged with a blown save and took the loss against the Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk over one-third of an inning.

Bednar entered the contest with the score tied in the bottom of the seventh and proceeded to give up a leadoff homer to Masyn Winn on a hanging curveball. The right-handed reliever would then manage to retire just one of the next three batters he faced before being relieved by Jalen Beeks, who didn't fare any better. It marked the seventh blown save of the season for Bednar, with his previous one coming back on Aug. 28, just before he was removed from the closer role. He's now allowed at least one run in three of his last six appearances and carries a 5.14 ERA in the month of September to go along with a dreadful 6:8 K:BB.

Junis didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Atlanta, allowing one run on two hits with no walks across six innings. He struck out six.

Junis retired the first 11 batters and final nine batters he faced during the start, but back-to-back doubles in the fourth inning threw a wrench in his otherwise perfect day. In his last five outings (four starts), Junis has a 1.14 ERA and an 18:1 K:BB across 23.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Guardians in Cleveland his next time out.

Walker picked up the save Wednesday against Baltimore, striking out one batter during a perfect ninth inning.

Walker has converted on eight consecutive saves and hasn't allowed an earned run in 20.2 innings. During that stretch, he's allowed eight hits and has fanned 31 batters. On the year, Walker boasts a 1.77 ERA.

Pearson (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss Wednesday against the Athletics. He struck out one.

Pearson continued his recent struggles, as he gave up runs for the third straight outing, and this was the worst appearance of the bunch. The righty has seen his ERA creep up to 4.76, and he's simply been too volatile to be trusted in most fantasy formats. Pearson will continue to have a role for the Cubs out of the bullpen as the regular season wraps up, though he should mostly see low-leverage work.

Merryweather (knee) made his second rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, striking out one and giving up no hits and one walk over a scoreless inning.

Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 27 with right knee tendinitis but was cleared to begin a rehab assignment last weekend. Assuming he checked out fine coming out of his second outing Tuesday, Merryweather could rejoin the Chicago bullpen for the team's four-game series with the Nationals that begins Thursday.

The Pirates placed Nicolas (side) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

With only 11 days left in the season and Pittsburgh out of the running for a wild-card spot, Nicolas' move to the IL will put an early end to his 2024 campaign. The 25-year-old righty will finish the year with a 3.95 ERA and 1.50 WHIP alongside a 55:31 K:BB across 54.2 innings. Jake Woodford was selected to the active roster in a corresponding move and will start Wednesday's game versus St. Louis.

The Pirates transferred Heller (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Heller initially landed on the injured list at the end of August with right shoulder inflammation, and his move to the 60-day IL will officially make him ineligible to return before the end of the season. He'll surrender his spot on the 40-man roster to Jake Woodford, who will start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

The Dodgers selected Logue's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Six days after signing a minor-league deal with the Dodgers, Logue will be called upon to help add depth to Los Angeles' bullpen while Michael Grove and Bobby Miller head back to the minors. The 28-year-old Logue has yet to appear in an MLB game this season, though he owns a 2.69 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 93.2 frames in Triple-A.

The Dodgers optioned Grove to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Grove allowed three runs over a 1.2-inning relief outing Tuesday in Miami. He's expected to be replaced by a fresh bullpen arm, although the Dodgers have not yet announced the corresponding move.

The Dodgers activated Kelly (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kelly has been out since late August with right shoulder inflammation but is ready to go after making a couple rehab appearances. He's likely to be used in low-leverage situations.