MLB Player News

Chapman (5-5) took the loss and blew the save against the Nationals in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over two-thirds of an inning.

Chapman entered in the ninth frame after Pittsburgh scored twice to take a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth. The veteran fireballer retired two of the first three batters he faced but then allowed back-to-back singles followed by back-to-back doubles as Washington plated four runs. Before Saturday, Chapman had converted both of his save opportunities since David Bednar was moved out of the closer role, but Saturday's blow-up may allow Dennis Santana -- who picked up a save Monday and has fired 12 straight scoreless outings -- to get additional ninth-inning looks.

Kittredge (4-4) allowed a hit and a run while striking out one over one scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday over the Mariners.

Kittredge kept the game scoreless in the top of the eighth inning, and the Cardinals broke through in their half of the frame with a two-run home run by Pedro Pages. Kittredge extended his scoreless streak to nine innings, a span in which he's allowed four hits and two walks while striking out seven over nine innings. The setup man has a 2.98 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 56:18 K:BB with one save and 32 holds over 60.1 innings this season.

Helsley allowed a hit and struck out three over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Mariners.

Helsley was able to make Pedro Pages' two-run home run in the eighth inning stand as the winning hit. Helsley blew his last save chance Tuesday versus the Brewers, but that was by allowing the initial runner to score in the 11th inning. He has not given up an earned run since Aug. 6, going 8-for-9 in save opportunities while yielding just eight hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts over 12 innings since that date. For the year, Helsley has a 2.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 71:23 K:BB with 43 saves in 47 attempts over 60.2 innings.

Ortiz (6-5) took the loss in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against Washington, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 5.2 innings.

Ortiz was originally scheduled to start Friday, but his outing was pushed back a day due to a weather-related postponement. The right-hander wasn't at his sharpest against Washington, as only 58 of his 100 pitches were strikes and he departed with two outs in the sixth inning trailing 4-0. Ortiz fell one out shy of recording his third straight quality start, however. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively slated to be at home against Kansas City.

Finnegan notched a save in each game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and a walk in Game 1 and pitching a perfect frame with two strikeouts in Game 2.

Finnegan struggled a bit in the matinee, allowing four of the first five batters he faced to reach base to allow a run to cross the plate and load the bases with one out. He was able to escape the jam, however, by getting Bryan De La Cruz to ground into a game-ending double play. Finnegan tossed 23 pitches in that outing, but that didn't stop Nationals manager Dave Martinez from going to him again with the team up by two runs in the ninth inning of the nightcap. This time Finnegan got the job done with ease, retiring the side in order on 19 pitches. With the pair of saves, Finnegan is up to 36 on the season, third most in the majors.

Williams earned a save against the Rockies on Saturday, striking out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Williams dominated the Rockies on Saturday, making it the fourth time this season he's recorded all three outs in the ninth via strikeout. Williams has already racked up nine saves in 10 opportunities since making his season debut July 28. The 29-year-old has been particularly impressive of late, as he hasn't given up a hit in any of his last six appearances and carries a 1.84 ERA for the year.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Graterol (hamstring) is expected to be activated off the 15-day injured list in the next couple of days, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol threw one scoreless inning in his last rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday. He's been on the injured list since Aug. 7 due to a Grade 1 hamstring strain, but he appears to be ready to return to the Dodgers' bullpen. Graterol began the season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, and his lone appearance with the big club came Aug. 6 against the Phillies, when he gave up two runs on one hit and one walk over one-third of an inning.

The Marlins designated Kitchen for assignment Saturday.

While serving as the opener for Friday's game against the Phillies, Kitchen surrendered seven runs (six earned) over just two innings. He'll now be cast off the active and 40-man rosters, and a 3.35 ERA at Triple-A could attract attention from other organizations looking to boost their minor-league pitching depth.

The Marlins optioned Maldonado to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

Maldonado appeared in three games for the Marlins after being recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday, but he'll now be sent back to the minors after surrendering three runs in one inning during Friday's blowout loss to the Phillies. Despite his 6.75 ERA through 16 MLB innings, there's still a chance the 26-year-old righty returns as bullpen depth down the stretch.

The Marlins transferred Nardi (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday.

Nardi was initially deactivated Aug. 24, so his move to the 60-day IL will officially rule him out for the rest of the season. The 26-year-old southpaw will close the book on 2024 with a 5.07 ERA and 1.25 WHIP alongside a 70:18 K:BB across 49.2 innings.