MLB Player News

Duran secured the save Monday against the Nationals, working around a hit batsman in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

After giving up three runs while blowing a save last week against Miami, Duran has looked more like his usual self since then. The star closer has turned in back-to-back hitless outings, and he's been scored upon on just that one occasion in his last 17 appearances now. Duran boasts a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 55:6 K:BB over 37.1 innings with 25 saves in 27 attempts.

Alvarez took a no-decision Monday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out five.

Alvarez was cruising along Monday, spinning six shutout frames initially, but a Derek Hill go-ahead grand slam off reliever Tom Cosgrove in the seventh inning took Alvarez out of position for the victory. It was still arguably the southpaw's best outing of the season, as Monday marked his first quality start so far. Alvarez should maintain a rotation spot until Connelly Early (elbow) is ready to make his Nationals debut, posting a 3.94 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 63:31 K:BB over 64 innings.

Nola took a no-decision Monday against the Nationals, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.

It looked like a rough evening was in store initially for Nola, who surrendered each of his three runs in the first two innings, but he later found his rhythm for a quality start. The 33-year-old has still very sparingly impressed throughout the course of the campaign, as the right-hander has given up at least three runs in 15 of his 23 starts. Nola is set to bring a 5.55 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 121:41 K:BB over 120 innings into a favorable home matchup against Toronto.

Alcantara went 1-for-1 with a walk and a two-run home run in Monday's 10-5 win over the Dodgers.

Alcantara was recalled from Triple-A Iowa earlier in the day, and he wasted no time getting comfortable in the majors as he posted his first ever home run with the Cubs. The 24-year-old may not have a path to everyday playing time at the moment, but the offensive potential is there whenever he is in the lineup. Alcantara was raking against Triple-A pitching, and he's worth keeping an eye on in case he gets hot in the short term for Chicago.

The Diamondbacks transferred Gallen (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Lars Nootbaar, whom the Diamondbacks acquired from the Cardinals on Monday. The move also ensures that Gallen won't be available for the Diamondbacks until Sept. 7 while he recovers from right elbow inflammation. Following a recent meeting with arm specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Gallen was cleared to start up a throwing program, and he's progressed to playing catch out to 120 feet as of Monday, per MLB.com. Gallen is set to undergo a follow-up MRI on Wednesday, and if the imaging reveals shows additional healing, the right-hander could be cleared to start throwing off a mound.

The Nationals optioned Yean to Triple-A Rochester following Monday's 6-3 loss to the Phillies.

After just under two weeks with the big-league club, Yean will head back to Triple-A. The 25-year-old appeared in six games during his latest stint in Washington, posting a 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 3:1 K:BB in eight innings.

Wood hurt his left side during Monday's matchup against the Phillies and will undergo an MRI Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

On his last swing, Wood hurt his left side in the sixth inning. The 23-year-old tried to take a couple of swings, but didn't feel comfortable playing the rest of the game. Dylan Crews replaced Wood as a defensive substitution in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Dodgers selected Robinson's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

Robinson was able to join the Dodgers ahead of Monday's series opener in Chicago, providing the team with a second option at catcher behind Eliezer Alfonzo after Dalton Rushing (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list. The Dodgers likely won't have a spot available for Robinson for long, however, as Hunter Feduccia was acquired from the Rays on Monday and could bump Robinson off the roster if he's able to arrive at Wrigley Field in time for Tuesday's contest.

The Dodgers selected Hernandez's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

After being outrighted off the Dodgers' 40-man roster July 3, Hernandez will regain a spot a month later after Los Angeles had room available for him in the wake of Monday's trade deadline. The 30-year-old righty has made 12 appearances for the Dodgers this season, delivering an 8.15 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 15:12 K:BB in 17.2 innings.

The Dodgers optioned Sheehan to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

After Sheehan was shelled for five earned runs in 2.2 innings during Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Red Sox, manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the right-hander's recent struggles, though he said that he didn't indicate that the Dodgers had any immediate plans to alter their rotation, per Katie Woo of The Athletic. The Dodgers ended up changing their tune a day later, as Sheehan will head to the minors to clear room on the 26-man active roster for catcher Hunter Feduccia, who was acquired shortly before Monday's trade deadline. With Los Angeles also adding Tarik Skubal and Kris Bubic (shoulder/elbow) ahead of the deadline and with Blake Snell (elbow) and Tyler Glasnow (back) nearing returns from the injured list, Sheehan could be bound for the bullpen the next time he receives a call-up. The 26-year-old righty has turned in a 4-8 record, 5.29 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 95.1 innings in 20 starts with the Dodgers this season.