MLB Player News

Diaz pitched a scoreless ninth Wednesday against the Orioles, allowing a hit while striking out a batter as he picked up save No. 3 on the season.

Diaz allowed a quick single to begin the frame but retired the next three batters for his third save in six attempts. Despite being unable to consistently pick up saves, Diaz sports a 1.89 ERA along with a 39:11 K:BB across 19 innings and is locked into the team's closer role.

Harvey (0-1) allowed a solo home run and walked a batter Wednesday against the Mets as he took his first loss of the season.

Harvey entered in the eighth to try and preserve a tie with the hope the Orioles could regain the lead in the ninth. However, Pete Alonso had other plans as he crushed a home run to right-center on the first pitch he saw to give the Mets their first lead of the game. It was the first long ball Harvey has given up in five appearances since returning from the injured list. He should still be locked in for late-inning duties with the Orioles mostly evaluating for the future.

Lopez allowed five runs on six hits (two home runs) and a walk while striking out six across 4.2 innings against the Mets on Wednesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Through the first three innings, the only player on the Mets that was able to touch Lopez was Jeff McNeil, who had an RBI line-drive single to right in the second followed by a two-run shot to left in the fourth. The Mets were able to eventually chase Lopez out of the game in the fifth after he served up a solo home run to Michael Conforto and walked J.D. Davis the very next batter. The 27-year-old did have a season-high six strikeouts but his ERA rose to a 6.38 and with Alex Cobb (undisclosed) set to return in a few days, Wednesday's start may have been Lopez's last for the time being.

Lopez could return from the alternate site to start this weekend, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox are skipping Dallas Keuchel (back) this turn through the rotation and will need a fill-in starter for this weekend's series against the Tigers. Chicago manager Rick Renteria said Lopez is an option, indicating the "reports have been good." Lopez was sent to the alternate camp following his most recent start, Sept. 2, when he lasted just 1.2 innings. The right-hander's mission at the alternate camp is to work on rhythm and timing.

Ginkel (0-2) was tagged with the loss against the Dodgers on Wednesday, recording one out while giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit and a walk with one strikeout.

Ginkel came into a tied 10th inning and immediately allowed the extra-innings baserunner (Corey Seager) to advance to third on a wild pitch. He then gave up an RBI single to Chris Taylor before striking out Cody Bellinger. After walking Max Muncy, Ginkel was replaced with Hector Rondon, who charged another run to Ginkel by surrendering an RBI single to AJ Pollock. Ginkel had blown his first opportunity at closer last week against the Dodgers but earned a win two days later against the Giants. He's not exactly off to a good start in a high-leverage role.

Treinen earned the save against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

Treinen came into the 10th inning with the Dodgers up 6-4 and retired the side to pick up his first save of the year. The 32-year-old tallied 16 saves with the A's a season ago and has proven himself to be solid under pressure. While Kenley Jansen will remain the closer in Los Angeles for now, it's nice to know Treinen can get the job done. Overall this year, he's pieced together a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 20 appearances.

Clarke did not factor into the decision during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers, allowing four runs on six hits and a pair of walks while striking out five across six innings.

The 29-year-old didn't look particularly sharp this time around, throwing 55-of-86 pitches for strikes. Clarke was hurt by the long ball early, giving up solo home runs to Mookie Betts and Enrique Hernandez. The southpaw gave up another pair of runs in the fourth frame and left after the sixth with the score knotted, 4-4. Clarke had originally filled into the rotation after the injury to Merrill Kelly. However, with the recent acquisition of Caleb Smith from the Marlins, Clarke is possibly headed back to the bullpen. On the season, he holds a 3.51 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 10 appearances (four starts).

Pressly (1-2) allowed a run on a hit and a walk over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Athletics. He also hit a batter.

Pressly entered the game with the score tied at two. His two outs came in the form of fielder's choices, but a walkoff single from Ramon Laureano left the Astros' closer with a loss. The 31-year-old Pressly has a 4.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and eight saves in 17 appearances spanning 15.1 innings this season.

Hendriks (3-0) pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts and earned the win Wednesday versus the Astros.

Hendriks entered with the game tied at two, and he did his part to keep it that way. The Athletics then rallied for the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to make him a winner. The 31-year-old has a 1.40 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 29:3 K:BB and 11 saves in 12 chances this season as one of the more stable closers in baseball.

Kimbrel allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief Wednesday against the Reds.

Kimbrel worked the ninth inning, though it wasn't a save situation with the Cubs down 3-0. While the veteran reliever still has an unsightly 7.36 ERA, he's now posted three straight scoreless innings with six strikeouts since giving up two runs and blowing a save on Aug. 29. Jeremy Jeffress and Rowan Wick have taken over closing duties in Chicago, but if Kimbrel can continue to pitch well, he could still see some high-leverage duty as the Cubs move toward the postseason.