MLB Player News

Lopez (groin) didn't experience any setbacks following his bullpen session Friday, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Lopez has been dealing with a groin injury, and his last outing came against the Marlins on Aug. 23, when he struck out two batters in one scoreless inning. The 31-year-old reliever could pitch during this weekend's series against the Nationals. In 20 games since joining the Cubs in mid-June, Lopez has recorded two saves and two holds with a 0.79 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 22.2 innings.

Williams earned the save in a 5-4 win over the Reds in the opening game of Friday's doubleheader, walking one while logging a strikeout in a scoreless 10th inning.

After Milwaukee took a one-run lead in the top of the 10th inning, Williams quickly recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the frame. He'd allow the phantom runner to reach third base on a wild pitch before issuing a two-out walk, but Williams managed to get Ty France to fly out to pick up his seventh save. The right-hander has converted back-to-back save chances after allowing two runs on three walks in a blown save against St. Louis last week. Overall, Williams sports a 2.53 ERA with 1.13 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB through 10.2 innings this season.

Martinez didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Milwaukee, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.

Martinez has now given up 15 runs (14 earned) over his last four starts and 18.2 innings after allowing just one run in his previous 24.1 frames. Overall, the 34-year-old right-hander sports a 3.78 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 86:14 K:BB across 109.2 innings this season. Martinez is currently in line to face the Astros at home next week in his next outing.

Law (elbow) will throw to live hitters Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

The right-hander has been sidelined since Aug. 17 with ulnar nerve irritation in his right elbow. It's unclear if Law will need a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the IL.

Alvarez (personal) will rejoin the Phillies on Friday and is expected to be activated from the restricted list Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Alvarado is slated to do some throwing Saturday and then will be available out of the bullpen again beginning Sunday. The left-handed reliever has been away from the club this week while dealing with a personal matter, and those off-field concerns could help explain his 4.66 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 7:8 K:BB through 9.2 innings in August.

The Tigers transferred Faedo (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Faedo was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 25 with a strained right shoulder, and the injury is severe enough to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. He's been administered a PRP injection but is expected to have a normal offseason. In 57.1 innings with the Tigers this year, Faedo logged a 3.61 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP.

The Tigers designated Wentz for assignment Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Wentz struck out three over two scoreless frames in Thursday's loss to the Angels, but he had mostly struggled of late with a 5.66 ERA since July 1. The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the return of Casey Mize (hamstring) from the 60-day injured list.

Jefferies (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Jefferies has been out of commission for nearly two months with right elbow inflammation, so he will probably require multiple rehab appearances. Once the Pirates decide the right-hander is ready, he could be used in long relief.

The Pirates placed Heller on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Heller tossed 7.1 scoreless innings covering his first four appearances after being recalled Aug. 10 but had surrendered four runs over his last two outings, so it's possible the shoulder has been bothering him for a bit. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined.

Holman (0-1) was charged with a blown save and took the loss to the Reds on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits, two walks and a wild pitch without retiring a batter.

After loading the bases to open the final frame and try to protect a 9-7 lead, Holman surrendered back-to-back run-scoring singles to Tyler Stephenson and TJ Friedl, the latter sealing a three-run rally for the Reds. Prior to Thursday, Holman had allowed just a single earned run across four innings over his first five big-league appearances following his Aug. 17 promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas.