MLB Player News

Almonte (1-3) was tagged with the loss in relief Thursday against Atlanta after allowing three runs on three hits across 1.1 innings.

Almonte retired Jorge Soler to close the fourth inning, but he wasn't effective in the fifth and allowed the three runs that let Atlanta turn things around on a sacrifice fly by Dansby Swanson that scored Freddie Freeman, and a two-run home run by Adam Duvall. Almonte had tossed three straight scoreless appearances before this outing, and he owns a 3.95 ERA across 13.2 innings (10 games) since the beginning of August.

Smith picked up the save Thursday against the Rockies after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Smith has closed the door in each of his last seven appearances and seems to have bounced back after going 1-for-3 in save opportunities over a five-day stretch last month (Aug. 7 to Aug. 11). While Smith has given up runs in three of his last six appearances, he remains a reliable arm for Atlanta and his role as the closer isn't in any sort of danger. He has gone 30-for-34 in save chances on the season while posting a 3.76 ERA across 55 innings (58 appearances).

Webb (2-2) earned the win Thursday against the Rockies after tossing two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander made his first appearance since being recalled earlier this week and was in complete control, tossing 18 of his 26 pitches for strikes and cruising through the middle frames after Touki Toussaint's short three-inning outing. Webb has been up and down between Triple-A and the big-league roster over the last few months, but he has not allowed an earned run in any of his last six appearances at the highest level dating back to May 21.

Clase picked up the save Thursday against the Royals after allowing one run on two hits across one inning. He didn't strike out or walk anyone.

Clase ended a streak of 20 straight scoreless appearances that dated back to July 17, but he still got the job done. He's been perfect in nine straight save opportunities and has gone 20-for-24 on the year while also posting career-best numbers in both ERA (1.54) and WHIP (1.03) across 60 appearances (58.1 innings).

Thompson (3-3) did not factor into the decision Thursday, surrendering three runs across 1.2 innings on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts in a win over the Pirates.

The rookie right-hander drew his fourth start of the season and surrendered a first-inning home run to Colin Moran before getting an early hook. Working primarily as a reliever, Thompson holds a 3.54 ERA across 48.1 innings this season with a 48:28 K:BB. Should he remain in the rotation, his next start is scheduled to come next week against the Reds.

Sierra was released by the Dodgers on Thursday, freelance writer Francys Romero reports.

Los Angeles gave Sierra a six-year, $30 million contract back in 2016, but the Cuban right-hander hasn't panned out. Sierra pitched 16.1 innings for the organization's Triple-A club this season, posting a 13.78 ERA and 2.98 WHIP across 16.1 innings.

Rogers (5-1) struck out the side in a perfect inning to earn the win Thursday over Milwaukee.

The right-hander needed just 13 pitches (10 strikes) in the eighth inning, and San Francisco pulled ahead with a four-run rally in the bottom of the frame to make him the pitcher of record. Rogers has given up three runs in 16 innings since the start of August, adding 12 strikeouts, three wins, a save and six holds in that span. For the year, he owns a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 44:9 K:BB across 65 innings while primarily operating as a setup man.

Hudson (elbow) fired 2.2 scoreless innings during Double-A Springfield's win over Tulsa on Thursday, allowing two hits and a walk while recording three strikeouts.

Hudson's recovery from Tommy John surgery continued in remarkable fashion Thursday, with the right-hander working up to 43 pitches (25 strikes). It was a bump up in competition for Hudson, who'd worked two scoreless innings for Low-A Palm Beach in his first rehab appearance Saturday. Having now breezed through four scoreless frames in his rehab assignment, Hudson may take the hill with Triple-A Memphis for his next turn.

Anderson (elbow) has fired two perfect innings over his last two rehab outings for Triple-A Durham, recording three strikeouts.

The right-hander actually has three consecutive flawless efforts overall with the Bulls dating back to Saturday, his best stretch of pitching yet during his extensive rehab assignment. The team's official site notes manager Kevin Cash received an encouraging report from Durham skipper Brady Williams in recent days regarding Anderson, with the reliever's improving velocity particularly standing out to Williams. Given his recent form, Anderson could well be on the cusp of a long-awaited activation.

Diaz tossed a perfect ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts to record the save in Thursday's win over Miami.

Diaz picked up his 28th save of the season, getting Joe Panik to fly out before whiffing Jorge Alfaro and Bryan De La Cruz. The right-hander has been on a terrific run since late July, converting nine straight save opportunities while allowing runs in just one of his 15 appearances during that stretch. He also boasts a 23:3 K:BB over 16 innings in that time.