MLB Player News

Manager Derek Shelton said Friday that Bednar will be temporarily removed from the closer role and pitch in lower-leverage situations, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

The decision to relieve Bednar of his duties as closer comes two days after he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning during Wednesday's loss to the Cubs. The Pirates will now use a closer-by-committee approach, making Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks likely candidates to see increased opportunities in the ninth inning.

The Cubs claimed Armstrong off waivers Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Armstrong was acquired by the Cardinals from the Rays in late July as part of the trade package for Dylan Carlson. Armstrong posted a 2.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 12.2 innings with St. Louis, but he was designated for assignment Tuesday. He'll stay in the NL Central and give the Cubs much-needed bullpen depth after Julian Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to right knee tendinitis.

Lopez (groin) didn't experience any setbacks following his bullpen session Friday, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lopez has been dealing with a groin injury, and his last outing came against the Marlins on Aug. 23, when he struck out two batters in one scoreless inning. The 31-year-old reliever could pitch during this weekend's series against the Nationals. In 20 games since joining the Cubs in mid-June, Lopez has recorded two saves and two holds with a 0.79 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 22.2 innings.

Williams earned the save in a 5-4 win over the Reds in the opening game of Friday's doubleheader, walking one while logging a strikeout in a scoreless 10th inning.

After Milwaukee took a one-run lead in the top of the 10th inning, Williams quickly recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the frame. He'd allow the phantom runner to reach third base on a wild pitch before issuing a two-out walk, but Williams managed to get Ty France to fly out to pick up his seventh save. The right-hander has converted back-to-back save chances after allowing two runs on three walks in a blown save against St. Louis last week. Overall, Williams sports a 2.53 ERA with 1.13 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB through 10.2 innings this season.

Martinez didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Milwaukee, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

Martinez has now given up 15 runs (14 earned) over his last four starts and 18.2 innings after allowing just one run in his previous 24.1 frames. Overall, the 34-year-old right-hander sports a 3.78 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 86:14 K:BB across 109.2 innings this season. Martinez is currently in line to face the Astros at home next week in his next outing.

Law (elbow) will throw to live hitters Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander has been sidelined since Aug. 17 with ulnar nerve irritation in his right elbow. It's unclear if Law will need a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the IL.

Alvarez (personal) will rejoin the Phillies on Friday and is expected to be activated from the restricted list Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Alvarado is slated to do some throwing Saturday and then will be available out of the bullpen again beginning Sunday. The left-handed reliever has been away from the club this week while dealing with a personal matter, and those off-field concerns could help explain his 4.66 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 7:8 K:BB through 9.2 innings in August.

Jefferies (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Jefferies has been out of commission for nearly two months with right elbow inflammation, so he will probably require multiple rehab appearances. Once the Pirates decide the right-hander is ready, he could be used in long relief.

The Pirates placed Heller on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Heller tossed 7.1 scoreless innings covering his first four appearances after being recalled Aug. 10 but had surrendered four runs over his last two outings, so it's possible the shoulder has been bothering him for a bit. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined.

Butto (6-3) picked up the win Thursday, walking one batter in a scoreless inning of relief.

The right-hander threw only nine of 20 pitches for strikes but escaped the eighth inning unscathed to protect a 2-2 tie, and Butto became the pitcher of record when the Mets went ahead in the top of the ninth. He's had trouble finding the plate consistently for a couple weeks now, and Butto has walked at least one batter in six straight appearances, posting a 4.32 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB in 8.1 innings over that stretch. Given the injuries in the Mets' bullpen, however, Butto will likely continue to be deployed in high-leverage spots.