MLB Player News

The Padres optioned Bachar to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

The 29-year-old right-handed reliever received his first MLB call-up Sunday but didn't get the chance to make his Padres debut in the club's 3-2 win over the Mets before being sent back to Triple-A a day later. The Padres recalled right-hander Randy Vasquez from Triple-A in a corresponding move, and he'll start Monday's series opener in St. Louis.

Chapman (5-4) allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win Sunday against the Reds.

Chapman entered the game with the Pirates down a run and continued his dominant stretch. Since the All-Star break, he has allowed only one earned run across 15 innings while maintaining a 25:3 K:BB. David Bednar continues to serve as Pittsburgh's closer but has been very shaky, so Chapman may see a handful of save opportunities before the season concludes.

Barnes (8-2) blew the save but picked up the win Sunday over Atlanta, allowing a solo home run in the sixth inning.

The journeyman right-hander had never won more than three games coming into 2024, but Barnes was in the right place at the right time once again Sunday. He coughed up a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth on a Matt Olson blast, but the Nationals immediately reclaimed the lead in the top of the seventh and never looked back. Since the All-Star break, Barnes has gone 3-0 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.02 WHIP an d 19:4 K:BB in 19.2 innings.

Banda allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Rays.

Banda was the closer of choice for manager Dave Roberts on Sunday and got the job done while navigating around a one-out base hit. That's Banda's second save this month and sixth straight outing without allowing a run. He's having a stellar turnaround season in his first year with the Dodgers, posting a 2.18 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 46:16 K:BB in 41.1 innings.

Suarez (8-1) got the win Sunday over the Mets after striking out one during a clean ninth inning appearance.

Suarez did his job in the top of the ninth and kept the score tied, allowing for the Padres to walk it off in the bottom of the inning and reward him with the win. He's now picked up six saves and two wins in nine appearances in August and is one save away from becoming the fourth pitcher to reach 30 saves this season. Suarez is enjoying a spectacular season, pitching to a 1.75 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB in 51.1 innings.

Diaz (5-2) took the loss Sunday against the Padres, allowing one run on one hit while striking out a batter for the only out he recorded.

Diaz came into the bottom of ninth trying to send the game to extra innings with the score tied 2-2. He struck out Jake Cronenworth to begin things, but Jackson Merrill connected on a slider and took it over the wall to walk it off for the Padres. It was Diaz's first loss since coming back from the injured list in June and the second run he's given up in 6.1 innings in August. He's only picked up one save in seven appearances this month but does have an 11:1 K:BB over that span. For the year, Diaz owns a 3.62 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 54:13 K:BB in 37.1 innings to go along with 14 saves.

Hjelle (3-4) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out one over 2.2 innings to take the loss versus the Mariners on Sunday.

Hjelle was called on for a long-relief assignment after Robbie Ray left the game with a hamstring injury. Over nine appearances this month, Hjelle has allowed six runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out eight across 14.1 innings. He's at a 3.99 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 60:9 K:BB through 65.1 innings overall, and he's added four holds. Hjelle has lost his last three decisions and hasn't picked up a win since June 5.

Armstrong (3-2) earned the win Sunday over the Twins, retiring both batters he faced.

Armstrong has been moderately effective in a middle-relief role since joining the Cardinals, allowing four runs over 11.1 innings across 10 appearances. He's added an 11:2 K:BB in that span. For the year, Armstrong has a 4.97 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 61:21 K:BB, one save and three holds over 58 innings between the Cardinals and the Rays. Given the success of St. Louis' high-leverage relievers, Armstrong is unlikely to move up the hierarchy.

Helsley picked up the save Sunday, allowing one hit over a scoreless ninth inning against the Twins.

Helsley worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to secure his major-league leading 40th save. Helsley has seen a bit of a decline in his peripherals this season, posting his lowest K/BB and K/9 rates along with his highest ERA and WHIP since 2021. That said, he remains one of the best relievers in the game and has been lights-out in the ninth, closing the door on all but three save chances this season.

Merryweather allowed four runs on five hits and a walk across an inning of relief in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Marlins.

While starter Javier Assad took the loss as he allowed three runs across seven innings, Merryweather didn't do the Cubs any favors in an effort to keep the team in the game. The righty reliever saw his ERA climb from 4.50 to 6.60 in the process. Merryweather has overpowering stuff when he's on, as evidenced by his 98 strikeouts across 72 innings last season, but he's yet to find consistent success from year to year at the MLB level. His fantasy appeal is limited at the moment due to his up-and-down play and lack of save opportunities behind Jorge Lopez and Porter Hodge in Chicago's bullpen.