MLB Player News

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.

Alzolay struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Saturday's 10-6 win over the Pirates.

Daniel Palencia was tasked with protecting a four-run lead in the ninth inning, but he walked two while collecting two outs. With Bryan Reynolds up to bat, manager David Ross tasked Alzolay with ending the threat. This was Alzolay's 21st save in 22 chances this season, and he's converted 17 chances in a row. For the season, he's maintained a 2.64 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB over 58 innings.

Wicks (1-0) allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out nine over five innings to earn the win Saturday over the Pirates.

Wicks made his MLB debut Saturday and showed some nerves in allowing Ke'Bryan Hayes to hit a leadoff home run to begin the bottom of the first inning. Two more reached base after that, but Wicks then retired 15 in a row before Hayden Wesneski pitched the sixth. Wicks posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 99:32 K:BB over 91.1 innings across 20 starts between Double-A and Triple-A prior to his call-up. The 23-year-old southpaw likely earned another start with Saturday's effort, so he can be tentatively penciled in to pitch at Cincinnati next week.

Ferguson will serve as an opener for the Dodgers on Sunday in Boston, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Gavin Stone will be the primary pitcher for the Dodgers, but he'll be preceded by Ferguson. It will be the fourth opener assignment this season for Ferguson, who allowed one run in three innings over his first three outings as an opener.

The Diamondbacks optioned Martinez to Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

With Zach Davies (back) returning from the injured list, Martinez will end up being the roster casualty. The 22-year-old gave up six runs over 4.2 innings and picked up his first career save after he was recalled Aug. 17.

Burdi (abdomen) is dealing with ulnar nerve irritation and will be shut down from his rehab assignment and re-evaluated in a few days, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Burdi initially landed on the injured list in May after undergoing an appendectomy. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 8 and gave up two runs across 3.1 innings over four appearances between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Triple-A Iowa, but he hadn't pitched in a week before the Cubs provided an explanation on the matter. A better timeline for his return should emerge once he's evaluated during the week.

The Cubs placed Fulmer on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm strain, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Fulmer has surrendered six runs in 5.2 innings across his last seven appearances, and he'll now be sidelined for at least two weeks in order to address a forearm issue. Jordan Wicks was called up from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move and will start for the Cubs on Saturday.

Wicks will start Saturday's game against the Pirates, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Wicks was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday and was initially expected to make his MLB debut in Sunday's series finale. Instead, the 23-year-old southpaw will swap rotation spots with Javier Assad and make his debut a day early. Wicks logged a 3.82 ERA and 1.18 WHIP through 33 innings across seven Triple-A starts.

Hill (finger) started a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Lake Elsinore on Friday, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and no walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.

Hill has been on the injured list since Aug. 2 due to a sprained left ring finger. The southpaw looked rusty in getting lit up in his first rehab outing Friday, and he'll likely need at least another appearance before he's ready to return to the Padres, though his stay in the minors isn't expected to be an extended one, per MLB.com. Hill had been going through a rough patch with San Diego prior to getting hurt, posting a 7.30 ERA, 2.27 WHIP and 5:6 K:BB over 12.1 innings across his previous 14 outings.

Pomeranz (elbow) pitched one inning for Single-A Lake Elsinore on Friday, striking out all three batters he faced in a scoreless inning.

Pomeranz had previously engaged in a minor-league rehab stint in late April but ended up getting shut down from throwing after three outings due to continued elbow discomfort. The lefty reliever hasn't pitched in the majors since undergoing flexor tendon surgery in August of 2021, and he also dealt with a neck strain this spring. If he doesn't encounter any setbacks in his current rehab assignment, Pomeranz could be back in the Padres' bullpen in early September.