MLB Player News

Suarez (8-3) took the loss and blew a save against the Tigers on Thursday, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Suarez entered Thursday having successfully converted eight straight save chances, but he didn't have his best stuff against Detroit. The right-hander had a three-run lead to work with in the top of the ninth and found himself in quick trouble, giving up a leadoff single followed by a walk. Suarez retired Spencer Torkelson on a popup but then issued another walk to load the bases. It looked like the closer might get out of the jam when he fanned Kerry Carpenter for the second out, but Parker Meadows followed with a grand slam on a 3-2 fastball to push the Tigers into the lead. Suarez has been great this year with 31 saves in 35 opportunities, but he has faded a bit lately, posting a 6.23 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over his last 13 innings while giving up at least one earned run in six of 14 appearances since Aug. 3. If San Diego were to consider moving Suarez out of the closer role, Tanner Scott -- who has 20 saves (mostly with Miami) and a 1.44 ERA on the campaign -- would be a very capable fill-in.

The Nationals claimed Rucker off waivers Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Wednesday, and he'll stick in the NL East after being claimed off waivers. Rucker hasn't pitched in the majors this season and has struggled at the Triple-A level with a 7.36 ERA across 22 innings, though he was a solid bullpen piece for the Cubs in 2022 with a 3.95 ERA in 41 appearances.

Roupp allowed a hit and two walks while striking out five over four scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Roupp was called upon for a 61-pitch appearance after Blake Snell threw 42 pitches and was pulled after one inning. Roupp's strong outing spared the Giants' bullpen a bit. Over two stints in the majors since Aug. 9, Roupp has allowed just one run while posting an 18:9 K:BB over 15.1 innings in a long-relief role. He struggled at times earlier in the year but now has a 3.41 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 33:19 K:BB over 31.2 innings across 19 relief appearances this season.

Walker (9-3) allowed a walk and struck out three over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings to earn the win Thursday over the Diamondbacks.

Walker got the last four outs before the Giants walked it off with a Patrick Bailey double in the ninth inning. Walker has collected five saves, three holds and two wins over 14 appearances during a 16-inning stretch in which he's allowed just one unearned run and racked up 30 strikeouts. He's emerged as an elite reliever this year with a 1.88 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 95:16 K:BB over 71.2 innings and continues to thrive since taking over the closer role in mid-August.

McCaughan is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Phillies in Miami.

The 28-year-old righty will make his second straight turn through the rotation after he took a no-decision while giving up four runs (three earned) over four innings versus the Giants last Sunday. Over six total appearances in the big leagues this season between the Marlins and Guardians, McCaughan owns an 8.24 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 10:10 K:BB across 19.2 innings.

Cruz is scheduled to serve as the Reds' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Mets.

He'll be making his third straight appearance as an opener after thriving on the previous two occasions Aug. 28 and 31. He covered five innings in those outings while striking out 11 and allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk. Cruz threw 42 pitches in each of those appearances, so he could be able to push up into the 50-to-55-pitch range Friday if the Reds elect to turn him loose. Jakob Junis and Brandon Williamson are both available on four days' rest and could be options to work in bulk relief once Cruz exits the contest.

Strahm picked up the save Thursday, tossing a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout against the Marlins.

Strahm needed just 10 pitches to lock down his second save in three games and third of the season, getting the call Thursday with a couple of lefties due up for the Marlins. For the season, he maintains a 2.14 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 69 strikeouts through 54.2 innings.

Oller (1-2) took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over 5.1 innings against the Phillies. He struck out six.

Oller held the Phillies to just one run through five innings but ran into trouble in the sixth, allowing a solo home run to Bryson Stott before the next two batters reached base, both of whom scored after he was pulled from the game. Oller coughed up a season-high 10 baserunners, and he's walked 13 batters through 21.2 innings. While the walk rate is an issue for Oller, the 14 hits he's allowed this season are a major improvement over his previous big-league stints. His next start is set to come in a much more favorable matchup as he's slated to take on the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Kinley struck out two over a perfect ninth inning to record the save over Atlanta on Thursday.

Kinley ran right through the middle of Atlanta's lineup after entering the contest with a two-run lead in the ninth, getting Jorge Soler and Marcell Ozuna to go down on strikes before producing a groundout for the final out. The right-hander has now recorded saves in three of his last four appearances, recording multiple strikeouts in each of those three outings. Thursday's save was his ninth of the campaign and his fourth since the start of August.

Chapman picked up the save Thursday, striking out one over 0.2 innings against the Nationals.

Chapman entered a five-run game in the ninth with the tying run on deck and needed just six pitches to close things out without allowing any further damage. It was the second save in as many opportunities for Chapman since replacing a struggling David Bednar in the closer role for the Pirates. Outside of a three-run blowup last week against the Cubs, Chapman has been unscored upon over his last 13 appearances, accumulating 21 strikeouts with a 2.08 ERA, 0.77 WHIP one win, two saves and seven holds over 13 innings.