MLB Player News

Hernandez (2-1) earned the win Thursday against the White Sox after tossing six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk while fanning four.

Hernandez only has three starts on the year and all of them have come in July. This was the first time he tossed more than four complete frames and was his best outing of the season so far. The right-hander owns a 4.15 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across five appearances this month.

Armstrong was sent from the Orioles to the Rays in exchange for cash considerations Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The Rays are famous for their ability to get the most out of otherwise unheralded pieces, so it's possible they see something in Armstrong that the rest of the world has missed. There's not much to like in his numbers, however, as the 30-year-old owns a career 4.65 ERA in 151 innings at the big-league level and an 8.55 ERA in 20 frames this season. He isn't on the 40-man roster and will report to Triple-A Durham for now.

Melancon pitched the ninth inning of Thursday's 3-0 shutout of the Rockies, allowing one hit while recording the save.

Melancon entered in the ninth to protect a three-run lead and was able to work around a Trevor Story one-out double to record his 32nd save. The veteran reliever threw 12 of his 19 pitches for strikes and should see ample save opportunities moving forward, especially if San Diego makes a key addition prior to the trade deadline.

Smith allowed one hit and struck out one across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Mets.

Smith surrendered a leadoff double to Jonathan Villar but then retired three consecutive batters to record his 21st save of the season. Though he's allowed at least one baserunner in 10 of his last 12 outings, Smith has surrendered only two earned runs across 12 innings in that span. He remains locked into save chances with Atlanta and has maintained a 3.32 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 40.2 frames on the campaign.

Finnegan struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader against the Phillies.

Finnegan was thrust into the closer's role with Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson (COVID-19 protocols) traded Thursday. He had little trouble shutting down the Phillies, as he needed only 12 pitches to record his first career save. With Hand and Hudson out of the picture, Finnegan could be in the position to see save opportunities across the final two months of the campaign.

Patino (2-2) allowed three hits and two walks while striking out eight across six scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Yankees.

Patino dominated the Yankees lineup throughout this start and out-pitcher Gerrit Cole to earn the win. Patino flashed great swing-and-miss stuff, inducing 19 swinging strikes across 97 total pitches. With Rich Hill out of the picture, it's reasonable to project that Patino will remain in a starting role barring the Rays' acquiring another starter prior to the trade deadline. As both a starter and reliever this season, Patino has a 4.26 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 31.2 innings of work.

Thompson will be traded from the Padres to the Nationals on Thursday along with Jordy Barley in exchange for Daniel Hudson (COVID-19), Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Thompson was originally drafted by the Padres with the 85th overall pick in the 2016 first-year player draft. He dealt with a shoulder injury that slowed his progress through the team's system, but he did ultimately make his major-league debut earlier this season. Though Thompson was with Triple-A El Paso at the time of the trade, it's possible that he'll get a look with the Nationals given their current rebuild.

Hudson (COVID-19 protocols) will be traded from the Nationals to the Padres on Thursday in exchange for Jordy Barley and Mason Thompson, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Hudson was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, though it's unclear whether he tested positive or was a close contact. Whenever he is able to return to the mound, he should fill a familiar setup role in San Diego with Mark Melancon entrenched as the closer. Hudson has had a strong campaign, delivering a 2.20 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 48 strikeouts across 32.2 innings while recording 15 holds.

Garcia, who'd given up six earned runs on seven hits over his first three outings with the Cardinals, fired two perfect innings in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland, recording one strikeout.

The veteran reliever had gotten off to a highly inauspicious start with the Cardinals after signing July 9, but Wednesday's 26-pitch outing was a step in the right direction. Garcia's ability to work multiple innings and his rather shaky body of work seem to make him an ideal fit for low-leverage, middle-relief assignments for the time being.

Giles (elbow) is beginning a throwing program, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Giles has already been ruled out for the entire 2021 season. Assuming he continues to progress in his rehab, he should be ready to take the mound for the start of the 2022 campaign.