MLB Player News

The Dodgers optioned Hudson to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hudson struggled with his command in a relief appearance Saturday at Boston and carries a 7.27 ERA in 8.2 major-league innings this year. Gavin Stone has been called up in a corresponding roster move to serve as the Dodgers' bulk reliever in Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox.

Robertson (4-5) took the loss and blew the save in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Nationals, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

Lane Thomas greeted Robertson with a triple to open the top of the ninth, and while he got erased at home plate on a fielder's choice, the veteran reliever never regained his focus. Robertson has not been the answer at closer for Miami -- since being picked up at the trade deadline from the Mets, he's stumbled to a 7.20 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 9:6 K:BB through 10 innings while blowing three of his seven save chances. Tanner Scott has yet to give up a run in August while A.J. Puk has thrived in a return to a setup role since Robertson was acquired, so it wouldn't be a surprise if manager Skip Schumaker shuffled around his high-leverage corps once again before the end of the season.

Finnegan gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 24th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander needed only nine pitches (eight strikes) to dispatch Miami, getting Jesus Sanchez to ground into a double play to erase his lone baserunner. Hunter Harvey got the save Friday after Finnegan had worked Thursday, but it's the latter that still looks like the primary closing option for the Nationals. Since his last blown save July 14, Finnegan has a sparkling 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB through 18.1 innings.

Manaea (4-5) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks over 3.2 relief innings as the Giants fell 7-3 to Atlanta. He struck out five.

Ryan Walker worked 1.2 innings and allowed a run as the opener before Manaea took over, but it was Austin Riley's solo shot in the fifth off the southpaw that put Atlanta in the lead for good. Manaea's last four appearances have come in a bulk-relief role, and while he's gone 1-2 in that stretch, his 3.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB through 13.2 innings suggest he's been somewhat unlucky. If the Giants keep him on a semi-regular schedule, his next outing would likely come on the road next week against the Padres.

Hudson (5-1) allowed five runs on six hits and five walks while striking out one batter over 5.2 innings in a loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.

Hudson came into the contest having won each of his previous four starts, but he couldn't continue that streak against the Phillies. The right-hander made it through two scoreless frames, but Philadelphia tagged him for at least one run in each of the remaining innings in which he pitched. The five total runs Hudson allowed tied a campaign-high mark, and Saturday was the first time he's issued more than three walks in an outing this season. Despite a 5-1 record, Hudson's 4.41 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 33:19 K:BB over 49 innings make him far from a reliable fantasy asset.

Sewald gave up two runs on two hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning, taking a blown save in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Reds.

Sewald has mostly danced around danger effectively since he was traded from Seattle, but he couldn't do it Saturday. A Tyler Stephenson RBI double and a Matt McLain groundout produced the pair of runs on Sewald's line in his second blown save in nine chances with the Diamondbacks. He's now at a 3.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 72:21 K:BB through 52.2 innings on the year while converting 28 of 33 save chances.

Avila (0-1) took the loss against Milwaukee on Saturday, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings.

Avila got a chance to take a turn in the rotation Saturday after pitching to a 1.17 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 28:9 K:BB over his first 23 big-league innings (primarily in long relief) this season. The move looked like it could be a wise one when the right-hander began with four scoreless frames, but the Brewers racked up four hits and a walk while recording just one out against him in the fifth, with all five baserunners ultimately coming around to score. It's worth noting that the first two knocks against Avila in the fifth frame were an infield single and a bunt single, but the inning was disastrous for him nonetheless. It's unclear if he'll get another chance to start or return to a bullpen role in his next outing.

Williams earned a save against the Padres on Saturday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Williams entered in the bottom of the ninth with the Brewers holding a one-run lead, and he had no trouble with the bottom of San Diego's lineup, retiring the side in order on 14 pitches. The right-hander punched out two Padres in the outing and has now struck out multiple batters in four of his past six appearances. Williams continues to stand out as one of MLB's top closers, recording 31 saves in 34 chances while registering a 1.46 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 74:23 K:BB over 49.1 frames.

Sims struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings win over the Diamondbacks.

Sims took care of business in the 11th inning after Alexis Diaz and the Reds' shaky defense combined to blow a save chance in the 10th. This was Sims' third save of the season to go with 21 holds and four blown saves in 53 appearances. He's posted three consecutive scoreless appearances, and he's now at a 3.70 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 63:32 K:BB through 48.2 innings this season. The right-hander remains a solid setup man, but it would take a brutal slump from Diaz for Sims to be considered for closing duties.

Diaz (6-4) allowed three unearned runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over one inning, taking a blown save but earning the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

A Matt McLain error in the 10th inning allowed the Diamondbacks to extend a rally, erasing the Reds' three-run lead. Cincinnati retook the lead in the 11th, and Lucas Sims secured the save to allow Diaz to back into a win. Diaz has allowed seven runs (three earned) across 9.1 innings while posting a 9:7 K:BB in August -- shaky work for one of the better closers in the game this year. He's at a 2.22 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 77:27 K:BB through 56.2 innings while going 34-for-36 in save chances.