MLB Player News

Bednar worked around a solo home run in the ninth inning to pick up the save in Friday's 2-1 win over the Cubs. He struck out one.

After the Cubs were blanked for eight innings, Ian Happ led off the ninth with a home run to cut the deficit to one, but Bednar then closed the door to pick up his 28th save. The home run was only the second allowed by Bednar all season. He had allowed only six total earned runs through July but has now allowed seven in 11.1 August innings. Despite his recent struggles, Bednar has seven saves this month as the undisputed closing option in Pittsburgh.

Selby will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher for Saturday's game versus the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Selby has struck out 13 but allowed seven runs while walking six over his first 8.2 major-league innings. He'll pick up his first big-league start Saturday but will likely work just one or two frames before giving way to Osvaldo Bido, who could be ticketed for a bulk-relief role.

Bautista is undergoing tests after exiting Friday's appearance against the Rockies due to right arm discomfort, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bautista was just one strike away from a save when he was lifted from the outing after delivering a 102.3 mph fastball. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde declined to go into more specifics when asked about the exact nature of the righty's injury, adding only that "when the best closer in the game leaves the game, it's never a good feeling." Yennier Cano would be the obvious choice to step in as Baltimore's closer should Bautista need to miss time. Danny Coulombe got a one-out save in relief of Bautista on Friday and could also be in the mix.

Bautista was removed from a save appearance versus the Rockies on Friday with an undisclosed injury, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista was one strike away from putting the game on ice but evidently tweaked something while delivering a 102.3 mph fastball to Michael Toglia. The closer was visited by the trainer before exiting the field, and he'll likely be sent for testing. Danny Coulombe then needed just one pitch to strike out Toglia and secure an Orioles win.

Brentz (elbow) is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a left lat strain while on his rehab assignment, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Brentz began a rehab assignment earlier this month while working his way back from Tommy John surgery, but now a new injury ends his season before it started. The left-hander should have a relatively normal offseason, but even if he begins 2024 on time he'll have gone nearly two years in between major-league appearances.

Maton (elbow) is beginning a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Sugar Land, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maton is expected to make only one appearance with Sugar Land before returning to the Astros' bullpen Sunday or Monday. The 30-year-old right-hander was sporting a 3.04 ERA and 58:21 K:BB through 53.1 innings of work when he landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 12 with a bruised elbow.

Houston recalled Blanco from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

Blanco had an extended run in the Astros' starting rotation earlier this summer, but he will work in long relief in his return to the major-league roster. Brandon Bielak was optioned out in a corresponding move.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that he'll stay away from using Jansen (hamstring) for a few more days, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Jansen experienced tightness in his right hamstring while making a relief appearance Wednesday against the Astros and could be unavailable through Boston's three-game weekend series against the visiting Dodgers. The good news is that the veteran closer was able to throw long-toss Friday and is expected to avoid the injured list. Chris Martin and Josh Winckowski are among the fill-in options for saves.

Brentz (elbow) was pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment Friday.

Brentz is not immediately joining the Royals' bullpen, so he may have suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old left-hander underwent the reconstructive elbow procedure last July.

Stewart (elbow) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The activity marked Stewart's first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a setback with his injured right elbow in late July. Stewart been on the shelf since late June with what was originally diagnosed as elbow tendinitis. He's aiming to return around Sept. 10.