MLB Player News

Williams allowed two runs on one hit, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning to take a blown save in Wednesday's 10-6 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals.

Williams was shaky in earning a save Tuesday, and he was even worse Wednesday. He threw just 12 of his 31 pitches for strikes, and two of his three walks came with the bases loaded. Trevor Megill was able to escape the ninth inning with a groundout, but he would up surrendering a walk-off grand slam in the 10th to complete the Brewers' collapse. Williams is now at a 3.12 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 8.2 innings this season while converting five of his six save opportunities.

Helsley (5-4) struck out two and didn't put a runner on base in a scoreless inning to earn the extra-inning win over the Brewers on Wednesday.

Helsley had two strikeouts and a groundout to strand the initial runner at third base in the top of the 10th inning, and the Cardinals rallied for a walk-off win on Nolan Arenado's grand slam in the bottom of the frame. This was Helsley's fourth consecutive scoreless appearance after he allowed four runs over 2.2 innings to begin August. For the season, the St. Louis closer has a 2.56 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 60:22 K:BB while converting 38 of 41 save chances across 52.2 innings.

Estevez allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Atlanta.

Estevez is up to 22 saves on the year, but he's earned just two of them since he was traded from the Angels to the Phillies. He's added a 2.47 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 42:8 K:BB through 43.2 innings this season. Estevez appears to have the edge over Jeff Hoffman and Jose Alvarado for save chances, as neither of those relievers has logged a save in August, though Philadelphia hasn't generated many opportunities this month.

The Pirates outrighted Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh designated Ryan for assignment Monday, but he'll stick around in the organization after going unclaimed off waivers. Ryan has posted a 5.66 ERA across 20.2 innings over his 15 appearances out of the Pirates' bullpen this season.

The Dodgers reinstated Treinen (hip) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Treinen landed on the injured list Aug. 5 due to left hip discomfort, and he'll now rejoin the Dodgers' bullpen after throwing one rehab inning at Double-A Tulsa, during which he struck out all three batters he faced. The 36-year-old righty owns a 2.67 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 30.1 frames on the year while working primarily in high-leverage situations. In a corresponding move, Ben Casparius was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Tarnok (lat) struck out three and gave up three runs on two hits and one walk over an inning of relief for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday after being activated from the 7-day injured list.

The 25-year-old made his first appearance for Lehigh Valley since July 2 after he completed his recovery from a right lat strain. Before being activated, Tarnok made a pair of rehab appearances for High-A Jersey Shore, striking out two over three scoreless innings.

Bednar (3-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing a run on three hits over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

With the game scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, Bednar allowed a pair of singles to lead off the frame. He managed to retire Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Jung before giving up a two-out, walk-off single to Wyatt Langford. It's the third loss in six outings for Bednar, who's allowed nine earned runs in his last nine innings. His ERA is up to 5.68 on the season with a 1.35 WHIP and 48:15 K:BB across 44.1 innings. Bednar has 22 saves in 27 chances this year, though he could lose work in the ninth to Aroldis Chapman if his struggles continue.

Diaz (5-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Orioles, striking out a pair in a perfect inning.

Diaz made quick work of the middle of Baltimore's lineup, striking out Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle in a clean top half of the ninth before the Mets walked it off with a Jesse Winker homer in the bottom half of the frame. Diaz has wins in back-to-back appearances -- he's allowed just two runs in his last 11.2 innings while logging 18 strikeouts in that span. The 30-year-old Diaz has converted 14 of 19 save chances this season while posting a 3.41 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 12.9 K/9 across 37 innings.

The Rockies placed Vodnik on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right bicep inflammation.

Dating back to the start of July, Vodnik had posted a 3.74 ERA while going 9-for-10 in save chances over 20 appearances to solidify himself as the Rockies' closer, but his shoulder injury now creates an opening at the back end of the bullpen. Tyler Kinley previously converted a save Aug. 1 and would appear to be first in line to step in at closer as a replacement for Vodnik. A clear timeline for Vodnik's return hasn't been established, but the fact that he has been diagnosed with bicep inflammation rather than a strain could make him a candidate to return from the IL once his 15 days are up.

Giants manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that he expects Doval to be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento sometime during the team's Aug. 23-29 road trip, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

What role Doval would fill has not yet been determined, as Ryan Walker has been excellent since taking over the closer role. Since being demoted to Sacramento, Doval has allowed two runs with a 5:1 K:BB over four innings of work. Just one free pass is encouraging to see, as Doval's 13.3 percent walk rate was a major reason why the Giants opted to send him down. When the former closer does rejoin the big-league bullpen, he could work in low-leverage spots initially.