Ferrer gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his third save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Mets.

The southpaw was able to erase a one-out single by Cedric Mullins with a game-ending double play thanks to a 97.9 mph sinker. Ferrer has pocketed three of the Nationals' four saves in August, with Cole Henry notching the fourth, and the former is the clear top option for closing duties in the bullpen. Over 17.1 innings since the beginning of July, Ferrer has posted a 2.08 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB.

Lord (4-6) picked up the win in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the Mets, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander blanked New York for four innings before the wheels began to come off, but Washington gave Lord enough offensive support to get him into the win column. The four runs were the most he'd allowed in an outing since moving back into the rotation after the All-Star break, and over six starts during that span he's posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB in 31.1 innings. Lord faces a tough test in his next trip to the mound, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Yankee Stadium.

Palencia recorded the save in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Milwaukee, allowing one run on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

Palencia allowed a run for the fourth time in his last seven outings, but he was able to hang on for save No. 18 on the year. The right-hander has a shaky 5.14 ERA in August, but his ERA still stands at an excellent 1.97 for the season over 45.2 innings. Palencia has blown just two saves all year, and he also sports a 1.01 WHIP and 49:14 K:BB through 44 appearances.

Thielbar, who tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts in Wednesday's win over the Brewers, has 13 scoreless appearances across his last 14 outings.

The only blemish in the stretch of scoreless outings for Thielbar was his Aug. 3 appearance when he allowed a game-winning, two-run home run to Baltimore. The veteran southpaw has been outstanding all season for the Cubs, as he now has a 2.12 ERA and 46 strikeouts across 46.2 innings. Thielbar has been particularly tough against left-handed batters, limiting them to just a .125 batting average.

Yates (back) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of the Dodgers' upcoming weekend series against the Padres, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Both Yates and Tanner Scott (elbow) began a rehab assignment this week and each got an inning of work Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Manager Dave Roberts said both will "probably not" pitch again in the minors prior to rejoining the Dodgers' 26-man roster for this weekend's critical series. Yates hasn't pitched since July 26 and holds a 4.31 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB across 31.1 innings out of the bullpen this season.

Scott (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of the Dodgers' upcoming weekend series against the Padres, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Scott threw one relief inning during a rehab outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, and manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Scott will "probably not" pitch again in the minors before rejoining the big-league club. Scott hasn't pitched with Los Angeles since July 21 and holds a 4.14 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 50:11 K:BB across 45.2 innings this season. He's notched 19 saves and should be back in the closer mix once reinstated.

Santana earned the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jays, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Santana made quick work of the middle of Toronto's lineup, retiring the side in order to close out his ninth save in 11 chances this year. Santana has turned in five straight scoreless appearances (5.1 innings), allowing just two hits while striking out four in that span. His ERA is down to 2.32 through 54.1 innings this season with a 0.88 WHIP and 43:11 K:BB.

The Dodgers optioned Diaz to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

The move corresponds with the Dodgers recalling Paul Gervase from Triple-A. Diaz has struggled out of the bullpen in three of his last five outings, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings over that span. He'll look to regain his control in Triple-A and could return to the majors should the Dodgers need right-handed depth out of the bullpen.

The Dodgers recalled Gervase from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Gervase will join the Dodgers' bullpen while Alexis Diaz was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Gervase was acquired by the Dodgers from the Rays in late July and has appeared in five games for Oklahoma City, where he's posted a 2.08 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over 8.2 innings. He pitched in five major-league games for Tampa Bay before being traded and had a 4.26 ERA and 1.74 WHIP across 6.1 frames.

The Pirates optioned Shugart to Triple-A Indianapolis after Wednesday's win against the Blue Jays.

The right-hander has been a quality bullpen piece for Pittsburgh this year with a 3.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 29:17 K:BB across 43.2 innings, but he'll lose his place on the big-league roster with top prospect Bubba Chandler set to be promoted. Given Shugart's performance, he should receive another look with Pittsburgh before the end of the season.