MLB Player News

Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings.

Finnegan entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and made things interesting by allowing singles to Oswald Peraza and Gleyber Torres. Peraza would then come around to score on a Giancarlo Stanton two-out single, but Finnegan was able to retire the next batter and escape with his 23rd save of the season. The right-hander has converted his last 12 save opportunities, though he's also allowed a run in three of his last four appearances.

Sewald recorded a save against Cincinnati on Thursday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

Sewald came on in the top of the ninth frame with Arizona holding a tenuous one-run lead. He issued a free pass with one out but retired the next two batters to seal the deal. Sewald blew his first save opportunity with Arizona on Aug. 6 but has gone a perfect 7-for-7 since, posting eight scoreless innings and a 9:5 K:BB over that span.

Alzolay allowed an unearned run in the 10th inning but managed to secure the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Pirates.

Pittsburgh scored their automatic runner following a ground out and a sacrifice fly, but Alzolay comfortably got through the 10th inning on 13 pitches. He's up to 20 saves, including one in each of the last two days. Alzolay has yet to pitch three days in a row this season, so he may not be available if the Cubs have a save opportunity Friday.

Palencia (4-0) worked around two walks to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win in Thursday's 10-inning win over the Pirates.

Palencia got into some trouble in the ninth inning but managed to keep his record spotless. The rookie earned a win in his MLB debut back on July 4, and he's now compiled a 4.30 ERA across 14.2 innings. Despite grabbing a few wins in relief, Palencia doesn't have a ton of fantasy appeal with his role in the middle of Chicago's bullpen.

Jackson allowed two runs on six hits while striking out two over six innings in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Cubs.

Jackson allowed a pair of runs in the second inning after Rob Zastryzny worked the opening frame. However, the 27-year-old Jackson would settle in and blank the Cubs over his final five innings, allowing just two additional hits. Since joining the Pirates in early August, the 27-year-old right-hander has worked to a 3.32 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 19 innings. It remains to be seen if Pittsburgh will deploy Jackson as a traditional starter, though he's currently lined up to pitch early next week in Kansas City.

Pittsburgh transferred Perdomo (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on Thursday.

Perdomo was placed on the 15-day IL this past Sunday due to left elbow discomfort and is now officially done for the remainder of the 2023 season. Rob Zastryzny will fill the vacated 40-man roster spot as he joins the Pirates' bullpen ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Cubs.

Pittsburgh optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Ramirez tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief Wednesday against the Cardinals, but the Pirates will call up a fresh bullpen arm in left-hander Rob Zastryzny ahead of Thursday's series opener versus the Cubs.

The Cubs optioned Rucker to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Keegan Thompson is up to replace him in Chicago's bullpen ahead of Thursday's series opener versus the Pirates. Rucker, 29, has registered a 4.91 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 40:19 K:BB over 40.1 innings of relief this year in the majors.

Ferguson will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher in Thursday's later game at Cleveland, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ferguson was not needed in the resumption of Wednesday's suspended game, so he'll get the call to kick off the Dodgers' regularly-scheduled tilt versus the Guardians, likely covering only the first inning before giving way to bulk pitcher Ryan Pepiot. Ferguson, 27, carries a 2.87 ERA and 54:20 K:BB across 47 innings this season with Los Angeles.

The Cubs recalled Thompson from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Thompson will join Chicago's bullpen mix ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Pirates. The 28-year-old former starter has issued 35 walks in 46.1 innings this season between the minors and majors while working exclusively in relief.