MLB Player News

Barlow earned a save against the Astros on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless inning during which he gave up one hit and struck out two batters.

Barlow entered in the ninth inning with Kansas City up by three runs, and he was able to close out the contest by retiring three of the four batters he faced. The right-hander racked up five whiffs on just 18 pitches and threw a first-pitch strike to each hitter he faced. Barlow has converted 13 of 15 save opportunities on the season and holds a 2.39 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 37.2 innings.

Alcala (elbow) remains in a holding pattern and hasn't made progress after being shut down once again June 1 with tightness in his pitching elbow, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

There have been conflicting reports on whether Alcala is set to throw again or has been shut down for an extended period. Either way, it doesn't sound like he has a chance to return any time soon. Alcala has been on the injured list since April 12 with right elbow inflammation. He made a rehab appearance June 1 but was later shut down again with tightness in his pitching elbow.

Hader (0-2) allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out two across one inning to take the loss Wednesday against the Cubs.

Hader entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at one, but he allowed a leadoff walk and a two-out double to concede the game-winning run. Though hardly a reason to panic, Hader has quietly struggled across the last month, allowing five earned runs across 10 innings -- three of which have come from solo homers. Even with the moderate struggles, Hader has a spectacular 1.63 ERA with a 47:9 K:BB across 27.2 frames for the campaign.

Rainey tossed a perfect ninth inning while striking out two on his way to his 12th save in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Phillies.

Rainey made quick work of the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth frame, retiring them in order while striking out two on his way to his 12th save of the year. The closer produced a scoreless outing after he had allowed three runs over two frames in his last two appearances, including a blown save against Miami on Sunday. Rainey has now converted 12 of 16 save opportunities this season and owns a 3.54 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 36 punchouts over 28 innings in 28 appearances.

Brogdon (illness) rejoined the Phillies and threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Brogdon spent eight days in quarantine before he cleared COVID-19-related protocols and was allowed to report back to the Philadelphia clubhouse. Depending on how he felt from a conditioning standpoint coming out of Tuesday's side session, Brogdon could be activated from the COVID-19 injured list as soon as Thursday.

Romano pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out two on his way to a save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Athletics.

Romano was called upon to protect a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth and he produced a 1-2-3 inning while punching out two batters. The save was his 18th of the season in 21 opportunities. Romano has now produced four straight scoreless outings following a blown save June 21 versus the White Sox, and he now owns a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 34 strikeouts over 30 frames in 31 appearances this season.

Robertson pitched a clean ninth inning to record the save in Wednesday's win over the Brewers. He struck out one.

Robertson blew the save Monday but looked much sharper in his first outing since then. The four blown saves in 16 chances are about the only negative for the veteran this year. Robertson now has a sparkling 1.89 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 45 strikeouts across 33.1 innings this season. A number of contending teams will likely call the Cubs and ask about the righty before the trade deadline next month.

Diaz (biceps) threw a live batting practice session Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

On tap next for Diaz should be a brief minor-league rehab assignment before he returns from the 15-day injured list. Hunter Strickland has seemingly built some security as the Reds' primary closer while Diaz has been sidelined with right biceps tendinitis, but Diaz should still have a high-leverage role in the bullpen waiting for him once he's activated.

King was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

King has been a piece of Texas' bullpen all season but will now make his way to the minors. He has a 4.60 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 22:13 K:BB across 31.1 innings this season.

Ferguson (forearm) was activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Ferguson has been sidelined the past few weeks by forearm tendinitis, and he'll rejoin the Dodgers without requiring a minor-league rehab assignment. The left-hander has made only six appearances this season and has yet to allow a run with a 5:4 K:BB across five innings.