MLB Player News

Alvarez is slated to work in a bulk-relief role Monday versus the Blue Jays, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Eddy Yean will take the ball first as an opener, but Alvarez will absorb the brunt of the innings for Washington on Monday. Alvarez has struggled in his last three outings (two starts, one bulk relief appearance), yielding 11 runs over 12 innings.

Yean will serve as the opening pitcher for the Nationals in Monday's game versus the Blue Jays, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Yean will draw his first MLB start after tossing 5.1 scoreless innings covering his first three appearances with Washington. He'll likely cover an inning or two before giving way to left-hander Andrew Alvarez, who is in line to work as the Nationals' bulk reliever.

O'Brien was unavailable to pitch in Sunday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to the Reds due to illness, John Denton of Roundtable.io reports.

The illness provides an explanation as to why O'Brien didn't appear in the ninth inning when the game was knotted up. The Cardinals closer should be considered day-to-day. If a save chance arises Monday versus the Cubs and O'Brien remains unavailable, George Soriano or Ryne Stanek could be used.

Farris picked up the save Sunday against the Giants. He allowed no earned runs on a hit and no walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

Farris entered with two runners on and one out in the ninth inning and surrendered a two-out, two-RBI double to Luis Arraez but was able to punch out Heliot Ramos to secure the victory for the Angels. It marked Farris' first big-league save, as the 25-year-old southpaw has posted a 3.53 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 43:18 K:BB across 43.1 innings this season. Los Angeles' bullpen has been shaky and lacks a true closer, though Ryan Zeferjahn, who pitched the eighth inning Sunday, and Kirby Yates, who was likely unavailable after pitching the previous two days, remain the most likely candidates for saves.

Munoz picked up the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Rangers. He struck out three across a perfect inning.

Entering with a two-run cushion, Munoz made quick work of the Rangers in the bottom of the ninth, striking out the side in order to secure his 18th save of the season. The hard-throwing right-hander has been locked in since mid-June, riding a 13-inning scoreless streak with eight saves during the stretch. Overall, Munoz owns a 3.86 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 58:15 K:BB across 37.1 innings this season.

Miles struck out four and gave up three hits and no walks over 3.2 innings of relief during Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Rays.

After starting in his prior appearance July 17 against the White Sox, Miles received another turn through the Toronto rotation but was deployed out of the bullpen while Braydon Fisher opened the game and recorded the first four outs of the contest. Miles is likely to fill a more traditional relief role moving forward, as Max Scherzer (back/thumb) is slated to return from the 15-day injured list to fill the fifth spot in the rotation Monday in Washington. If Toronto deals away starters like Kevin Gausman or Shane Bieber at the trade deadline, however, Miles could be needed in the rotation once again.

Beeter secured the save Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning.

Beeter was shaky Sunday but did help put out a fire started by Matt Krook, who walked three batters in the ninth without recording an out. Beeter remains the favorite for saves in Washington's much-maligned bullpen, but his job security is as low as any closer in the major leagues. Through 31.2 innings, the right-hander has a 3.69 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a concerning 33:20 K:BB with 10 saves in 15 opportunities.

Blanco (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the White Sox, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings.

Blanco was hurt by the long ball Sunday as he threw 55 of his 85 pitches for strikes. After walking the leadoff hitter in the first inning, he surrendered a two-run homer to Munetaka Murakami. Miguel Vargas took him deep for another two-run shot in the sixth. Both of Blanco's starts since returning to Houston have featured multiple home runs allowed and three walks, though he has also piled up 12 strikeouts across 10 innings. The right-hander is scheduled to make his next start Saturday on the road against the Rangers.

Miller earned the save Sunday against the Marlins, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Miller was unsurprisingly called upon to protect a two-run lead and retired Miami in order on 15 pitches (eight strikes). The right-hander has now tossed eight consecutive scoreless appearances while racking up 14 strikeouts during that stretch. Miller continues to dominate in the closer's role, posting a 0.82 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 80:27 K:BB across 43.2 innings while leading the National League with 27 saves.

Mikolas took a no-decision Sunday against the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out four.

Mikolas rejoined the rotation following a pair of outings as a long reliever, but the shift in role didn't yield better results Sunday. The 37-year-old right-hander has had a hard time putting batters away all year long -- he's yet to exceed four strikeouts in any of his 22 appearances and remains without a single quality start. Mikolas is unlikely to carry much fantasy appeal his next time out in Atlanta, where he'll bring a 5.65 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB over 102 innings.