MLB Player News

Law allowed one hit over 2.1 scoreless innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss to Washington.

Law, who entered with the Reds down 6-0, ate up seven outs between the sixth and eighth innings. The right-hander has worked largely in middle relief for the Reds and has posted a 3.68 ERA in 14.2 innings since his return from the injured list in early July. Control has been an issue, as it has been throughout his career; Law's issued 20 free passes over 35.2 innings (5.0 BB/9) this season.

Swanson gave up a run on three hits in two-thirds of an inning Saturday to record his fourth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Red Sox.

Tim Mayza worked the eighth inning without much trouble and retired the first batter in the ninth, but Swanson proceeded to give up three straight singles after he entered the game and escaped blowing the save only when Connor Wong's high fly to left-center field came up inches short of being a walkoff hit off the Green Monster, and instead led to Reese McGuire getting doubled off second base. Swanson has gone 2-for-2 in converting save chances since Jordan Romano (back) landed on the IL, but Jordan Hicks -- who had pitched three of the prior four days -- appears to be first in line to handle closing duties until Romano returns.

Smith gave up two runs on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning Saturday but still recorded his 20th save of the season in a 9-8 win over the Marlins.

A one-out, two-run homer by Jake Burger ramped up the pressure on the veteran lefty, but Smith got soft contact out of the next two batters to preserve the Rangers' fifth straight win. The long ball was the first he'd served up since June 14, with Smith posting a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB through 14 innings in between. Despite the late June addition of Aroldis Chapman to the Texas bullpen, Smith's hold on the closer role has been secure, and he still appears to have a shot at collecting 30 saves in a season for the third time in his career.

Sewald struck out three over a scoreless seventh inning in Saturday's 12-1 loss to the Twins.

Sewald, the closer Arizona acquired at the trade deadline, made his debut for his new organization, entering in the seventh inning of a 10-1 game. Because of the Diamondbacks' slump -- they've lost five straight since the trade -- there have been no save opportunities for Sewald. Despite seven days between outings, the right-hander was sharp, throwing nine of 12 pitches for strikes.

Weathers (1-7) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on six hits and four walks over 3.2 innings of relief as the Marlins were downed 9-8 by the Rangers. He struck out five.

Entering the game in the fifth inning, the southpaw was immediately greeted by homers off the bats of Corey Seager and Josh Jung, turning a 5-3 Miami lead into a deficit the team never overcame. Adding insult to injury, that also stuck Weathers with a blown save in his Marlins debut. He did at least soak up some innings, tossing 95 pitches (but only 52 strikes), while starter George Soriano lasted only 59 pitches before exiting. Weathers' performance didn't make much of a case for him to move into the rotation, but it's not yet clear how the Marlins will handle their fifth starter spot from here.

Soriano did not factor into the decision Saturday in the Marlins' 9-8 loss to the Rangers, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over three-plus innings. He struck out four.

Making his first career start in the majors, Soriano blanked Texas for three innings before Robbie Grossman crushed a three-run homer to right field in the fourth to chase the rookie right-hander from the game. Soriano was likely due to get lifted even if he had escaped that jam however, as his 59 pitches on the afternoon (36 strikes) were just two short of his season high. Ryan Weathers wound up working 95 pitches in relief, and it's not clear which of the two will fill the fifth starter spot for the Marlins next time around, or if they will work as a tandem. Soriano has the better numbers on the season with a 2.67 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB through 30.1 innings.

Bednar blew a save opportunity against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits over one inning.

Bednar got the ball in the ninth frame with Pittsburgh clinging to a 2-1 lead. He gave up a leadoff single, which resulted in a run when Sal Frelick followed with another single one out later. The blown save was just the second of the season for Bednar in 24 chances. He's been mostly dominant this year, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 56:13 K:BB over 44.2 innings.

Munoz allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over one inning to pick up the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Angels.

Munoz walked the tightrope for this one, getting two outs on 14 pitches before allowing four straight batters to reach. He loaded the bases on an intentional walk and then struck out Hunter Renfroe to close it out. Munoz's velocity gives him closer qualities, but he's prone to the occasional nightmarish outing. He's converted all three of his save chances since Paul Sewald was traded to Arizona. Matt Brash, who earned the save Friday, worked a scoreless eighth inning for a hold in Saturday's contest. Given both Munoz and Brash have appeared three times in the last four days, someone like Justin Topa could have a chance to vulture a save should a chance arise Sunday.

Yarbrough allowed a run on three hits and struck out three without walking a batter over 4.1 innings as the bulk reliever in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Padres. He did not factor in the decision.

Yarbrough's no stranger to working behind an opener in his career, and the Dodgers appear to want to continue that, at least for now. It worked in his team debut, though the bullpen couldn't maintain the lead after an eighth-inning meltdown. Yarbrough has started seven of his 15 appearances this season, posting a 4.07 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB through 55.1 innings while earning a 4-5 record. With Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) expected back next week, Yarbrough may have to settle for a more traditional multi-inning relief role unless the Dodgers want to go with something resembling a six-man rotation.

Thompson will work as the Cardinals' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Rockies, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Thompson was effective in his last two relief appearances, and he'll now get the chance to start with the big club Sunday for the first time this season. He hasn't tossed more than 33 pitches in a big-league game this season, so he likely won't work deep enough into Sunday's contest to qualify for a win.