MLB Player News

Jansen struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Monday to record his 35th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

There has been chatter recently that Raisel Iglesias might bump Jansen from his closer role, but that hasn't come to pass as Iglesias worked the eighth Monday and collected his 11th hold, while Jansen reeled in his second straight save and fifth in seven September chances. The 34-year-old's 3.68 ERA on the month might be fueling the speculation, but it comes with a 0.82 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB through 7.1 innings. With Atlanta hot on the heels of the Mets for the NL East title, it might take a total meltdown from Jansen for him to lose his grip on the ninth.

Abbott (0-3) took the loss Monday as the Nationals fell 5-2 to Atlanta, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

The 27-year-old righty actually produced 11 swinging strikes among his 69 pitches, but he couldn't put away any Atlanta batters when it mattered most. Abbott hasn't looked great since shifting back into the rotation, allowing seven runs in 11.1 innings over three starts in September, but the Nats' lack of alternatives will likely keep him in that role the rest of the way.

Honeywell, who was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas upon activation from the 60-day injured list Sept. 11, has allowed two earned runs on six hits over 3.1 innings while posting a 5:2 K:BB in his first two relief appearances with the Aviators.

Honeywell made a pair of 1.2-inning appearances out of the Las Vegas bullpen against Tacoma on Wednesday and Saturday. The right-hander allowed a pair of solo homers among four hits to the Rainiers on Wednesday, but he bore down to produce a scoreless effort with three punchouts Saturday. Honeywell's complicated, voluminous injury history makes any long-term outlook for him uncertain at best, but the organization hopes he can build some momentum at the tail end of the minor-league season before potentially getting a chance to compete for a big-league roster spot again in spring training.

Murfee, who fired a scoreless ninth inning during which he allowed a hit and a walk while recording a strikeout in a win over the Angels on Monday, has pitched to a 1.23 ERA across the 7.1 innings he's logged across eight September appearances.

Murfee hasn't recorded any decisions, saves or holds during that span, but he continues to be one of manager Scott Servais' most reliable bullpen options from a real-world perspective. The 28-year-old rookie has produced a 4-0 record, 2.49 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 in 57 appearances, garnering five holds along the way.

Jameson is scheduled to start Tuesday in the second game of a doubleheader with the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

The rookie right-hander is unsurprisingly getting a second turn through the rotation after he struck out five while holding the Padres scoreless over seven frames in his MLB debut last week. Prior to his call-up from Triple-A Reno, Jameson posted unremarkable numbers (6.95 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) over a larger sample of innings (114) in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, so he won't make for the most comfortable streaming option in a road start against one of baseball's top offenses.

Barlow (finger) struck out two in a scoreless inning Saturday during his first rehab appearance at Triple-A Round Rock.

The rehab appearance was a promising one, as he retired the side on 14 pitches. Barlow is expected to make another appearance for Round Rock on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Howard (shoulder) allowed six runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out one in a rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, the Rangers' official site reports.

Howard ran his pitch count to 68 in what was his second rehab outing. The right-hander also threw Sept. 7, allowing one run on five hits while striking out four over four innings. Howard is expected to make a third rehab start, likely Sept. 23.

Alexander earned a save against the Rockies on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect 10th inning.

Usual closer Camilo Doval pitched a scoreless ninth inning to send the game to an extra frame, and Alexander got the call after San Francisco scored three times in the top of the 10th. The left-hander needed only nine pitches to retire the side in order and notch his second save. Both have come in the past eight days, and Alexander hasn't given up a run across four innings during that stretch.

Junis allowed six runs (five earned) on 12 hits and one walk while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings against Colorado on Monday. He did not factor in the decision.

As has been the case for countless hurlers in Colorado, Junis' stuff simply wasn't working Monday, as he gave up a season-high 12 hits (four of which went for extra bases). However, Rockies starter Chad Kuhl had nearly as difficult a time, and Junis avoided taking a third straight loss. The right-hander has given up at least four earned runs in three of his past five starts and has logged a 7.13 ERA and 1.83 WHIP during that difficult stretch.

Brebbia will serve as the opener for Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Brebbia is set to handle the first inning or two before handing the ball to the primary pitcher, who has yet to be named. He owns a 4.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with a 6:3 K:BB over his last 10 appearances (nine innings).