MLB Player News

Hernandez (3-1) earned the win over the White Sox on Wednesday, pitching five innings and allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out six.

The right-hander needed 93 pitches to get through five frames, but he hung around long enough to take advantage of a generous offense and notch his second straight victory. Hernandez racked up a healthy 15 swinging strikes and tied his season high with six punchouts. Since moving into the rotation July 18, he has posted a 4.08 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB across 17.2 innings. Hernandez is tentatively slated to make his next start at home against the Yankees early next week.

Smith earned the save over the Cardinals on Wednesday by pitching a perfect inning during which he struck out two.

It was a relatively stress-free save for the southpaw, who entered the contest in the ninth inning with Atlanta up by three runs. He made quick work of the Cards, sandwiching a groundout between a pair or punchouts. Since blowing a save against the Mets on July 1, Smith has converted six straight save opportunities while posting a 1.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB across nine one-inning outings.

May struck out two and did not allow a baserunner to earn the save Wednesday against the Marlins.

May was pushed into the ninth-inning role with Edwin Diaz currently on the paternity list. May had no trouble with the shift, as he needed only 16 pitches to grab his fourth save of the season. He now has a 3.21 ERA with 56 strikeouts and nine holds across 42 innings to this point in the campaign.

Iglesias walked one and struck out one across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against Texas.

Iglesias was handed only a one-run lead, and he began his outing by walking the leadoff hitter. However, he struck out the next batter he faced and then induced a double play to end the game and earn his 23rd save of the season. Iglesias has held opponents scoreless in nine of his last 10 outings, racking up six saves and a win in that span. Overall, he has a 3.08 ERA with 74 strikeouts across 49.2 innings for the season.

Rodriguez worked around a hit to pitch a clean ninth inning and earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Rockies. He struck out one.

With the Cubs trading Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera before Friday's deadline, there was room in the bullpen for Rodriguez to make his MLB debut, which he did Friday. The 24-year-old now has his first save in the majors, and he could see more save opportunities with the Chicago relief corps fairly unsettled at the moment. Rodriguez did miss the entire 2020 season with a biceps strain, so he may see his workload carefully monitored even if he's able to earn a high-leverage role the rest of the way.

Ponce de Leon (shoulder) was credited with the win in Double-A Springfield's victory over Tulsa on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. He also recorded a strikeout.

Ponce de Leon gave up a three-run home run but was otherwise reasonably effective while throwing 39 pitches, 25 which found the strike zone. The right-hander has now made four rehab appearances without setbacks, and given that he's likely to return to the big-league club in a long-relief role, Ponce de Leon may be deemed ready for activation without the need for any further outings at the minor-league level.

Sulser (3-2) allowed a run on one hit and a walk with one strikeout in one inning, taking the loss versus the Yankees on Wednesday.

The right-hander worked efficiently in the sixth inning, but he walked the first batter he faced in the seventh. Paul Fry came on in relief and allowed the inherited runner to score the go-ahead run, which resulted in Sulser getting charged with the loss. The 31-year-old has seen more high-leverage work lately, but he made a rather early appearance in a tied game, and his scoreless streak ended at 6.2 innings over eight appearances. He has a 2.90 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 55:19 K:BB through 40.1 innings overall.

Loaisiga (8-4) allowed a hit and no runs in two-thirds of an inning, earning the win Wednesday over Baltimore.

Loaisiga finished the seventh inning by getting Maikel Franco to ground into a double play. The Yankees' offense took over from there, rallying for five runs to put the right-hander in line for the win. He's now posted four straight scoreless innings since a meltdown in Boston on July 25. Loaisiga owns a 2.60 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 51:10 K:BB with three saves and 13 holds in 52 innings this year in a high-leverage role.

Nelson was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with right elbow inflammation.

The righty made three scoreless appearances after returning from a back injury July 25, but he now goes back on the shelf for an indefinite amount of time. It will be Nelson's third IL stint of 2021, as also he dealt with a forearm issue earlier in the season. Details about the 32-year-old's condition should become clearer in the next week or so.

Pearson (groin) recently completed a simulated game and is scheduled for an outing in the Florida Complex League, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Pearson is building up as a reliever while he makes his return from the sports hernia that's sidelined him since mid-June. After throwing in Florida, the 24-year-old could be ticketed for a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo before rejoining the Blue Jays.