MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Graterol (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session soon, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander landed on the shelf with a Grade 1 hamstring strain in early August, and he's making a relatively quick return to mound work. Graterol suffered the injury during his season debut after he missed the first four months of the campaign due to a shoulder injury.

The Reds recalled Legumina from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Legumina has had a couple stints in the majors this season and has rejoined the Reds for Sunday's series finale versus Kansas City. The right-hander gave up two runs over two innings during his lone appearance for Cincinnati and has a 3.27 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB over 52.1 innings at Triple-A.

Brasier pitched 1.1 perfect innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's loss to the Cardinals.

Brasier took over for starter Bobby Miller with a runner on third base and two outs in the fifth inning and retired Nolan Arenado to end the threat. Brasier then returned to the mound in the sixth and needed just five pitches to set the side down in order. This was the righty reliever's first major-league game action since April 27. He appears to be past the calf injury that necessitated a stay on the 60-day IL.

Pearson (2-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one.

Pearson beat his former team to earn his second win of the season, both of which have come since he got traded to the Cubs on July 27. The righty has also posted a strong 2.89 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 9.1 innings for Chicago. By contrast, he had a 5.63 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 40 innings for Toronto. It remains to be seen if Pearson can keep this level of play up, but so far he's been a solid addition for the Cubs.

Hodge pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to record a hold in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. He walked two and struck out two.

Hodge worked in front of Jorge Lopez, who picked up the save with regular closer Hector Neris unavailable after throwing 33 pitches in a blown save Friday. It remains to be seen if Neris will return to the role moving forward, but if the Cubs decide to make a change, both Hodge and Lopez could see save opportunities. Tyson Miller would likely be in the mix as well based on his strong play this season. For now, Hodge remains a strong setup option with a 2.15 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 29.1 innings this year, to go along with a team-high nine holds.

Sewald allowed one hit and struck out three over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Rays.

Sewald has excelled since being replaced as the Diamondbacks' closer. Since then, he has yet to allow a run in six appearances, striking out eight over six innings. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo talked about Sewald having delivery issues at the time of his demotion; if the right-hander solved those issues, he could get save opportunities down the stretch. Sewald remains the most experienced closer in the bullpen.

Helsley picked up the save over the Dodgers on Saturday, striking out one over a perfect ninth inning.

Helsley made short work of the middle of the Dodgers' lineup, retiring the side in order on just six pitches after entering the contest with a three-run lead in the ninth. It marked the 38th save for the right-hander, which leads the majors, and it was only the second time this month in which he didn't allow any hits or walks. Helsley has now converted each of his last five save opportunities, posting a 4:3 K:BB over that stretch.

Lopez earned the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays, allowing a solo home run and striking out three in the ninth inning.

Primary closer Hector Neris threw 33 pitches in a blown save Friday, so Lopez was summoned to protect a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning Saturday. He allowed a leadoff home run to Addison Barger but responded by striking out the next three batters he faced. On the season, the 31-year-old owns a 2.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 42:18 K:B across 48 innings.

Bednar earned the save in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Mariners, striking out two in a perfect inning.

Bednar was called upon with the bases loaded in the ninth frame and retired all three batters he faced on just nine pitches. It was the first time in six August outings the closer didn't yield at least one run, and it was also his first perfect outing since July 12. On the season, the 29-year-old has converted 22 of 27 save chances with a 5.70 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 46:15 K:BB across 42.2 innings.

Williams pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Guardians.

Williams failed to log a strikeout for the first time in his seven appearances this season. It was still a tidy save for the right-hander, who got the heart of Cleveland's order out on three straight groundouts. Williams has allowed one run -- on a solo home run versus Atlanta on Aug. 7 -- while earning four saves and posting an 11:1 K:BB over seven innings. All of his saves have been over his last four appearances, including three over the last four days, so it's safe to say Williams is back to being locked in as Milwaukee's closer.