MLB Player News

Natera recorded the save Sunday against the Rangers, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Natera was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth and struck out each of the first two batters he faced before inducing a lineout from Justin Foscue to secure his third save. The left-hander has been dominant of late, allowing just one run across his last 15.2 innings while posting an outstanding 27:3 K:BB during that stretch. In 23 appearances since his June 5 call-up, Natera owns a 2.00 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 42:10 K:BB across 27 innings.

Bradford (0-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Angels, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one over seven innings.

Bradford didn't need much of a workload buildup Tuesday, as he efficiently completed seven innings on just 75 pitches (49 strikes), including eight at-bats that lasted just one pitch. All three runs against him came in the third inning on three hits and a hit batter, but he settled in from there to retire 12 of the final 13 hitters he faced. It was only Bradford's second start of the season after being activated from the injured list Aug. 5 following an elbow injury that sidelined him for all of 2025. He's scheduled to face Washington at home in his next start, presenting a significant challenge against one of MLB's most productive lineups.

Johnson did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Rangers, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings.

Johnson served up a solo homer to Joc Pederson, the first batter of the game, to make it eight consecutive outings with a home run allowed. After the first inning, the right-hander held Texas hitless over the next three frames before Austin Wynns led off the fifth with a single, and Johnson was pulled one batter later. He's now limited opponents to one run in each of his two starts since being recalled Aug. 1, which could help him avoid another option to Triple-A Salt Lake when Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) returns from the injured list. Across 11 starts and three relief appearances this season, Johnson owns a 6.71 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 43:27 K:BB over 55 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to make another start Sunday against the Royals.

Suarez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

Suarez was the only Reds hitter who had Sean Burke's number, launching a solo shot in the fifth inning before adding a double in the seventh. The 35-year-old has now hit safely in six of eight August contests, tallying six extra-base hits and five RBI during that stretch. On the year, he's slashing .206/.286/.416 with 17 homers, 44 RBI and 30 runs scored across 346 plate appearances.

The Nationals will promote Kent from Triple-A Rochester to start Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Kent began the season at Double-A Harrisburg but is now officially set for his second promotion of the year after posting a 4.38 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 63.2 innings in 13 starts at Rochester. The Nationals already have an open spot in their rotation after designating Zack Littell for assignment last week, so Kent could remain with the big club for the rest of the season if he hits the ground running in the majors.

Burke did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over seven innings.

Burke allowed a solo homer in the fifth inning but was otherwise superb, generating a whopping 20 swinging strikes on 94 pitches and departing with a 4-1 lead his bullpen could not secure. It was an encouraging effort after the 26-year-old failed to complete five frames for the first time since June 13 last Wednesday, and he's now logged a quality start in six of his past seven outings. He'll carry a 2.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 152:39 K:BB across 135.2 innings this season into a road matchup with the Tigers this weekend.

Lodolo did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the White Sox, allowing four runs on five hits and no walks with five strikeouts over four innings.

Lodolo allowed solo homers in the first, second and fourth innings, departing with a four-run deficit in his first start since July 11. On the bright side, he threw a solid 46 of 70 pitches for strikes and generated 13 whiffs, including eight on his signature curveball. The 28-year-old will take a 4.86 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 55:27 K across 66.2 innings this season into a home matchup with Miami this weekend.

Pagan earned the save in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the White Sox, striking out one in a perfect 10th inning.

Pagan was summoned to close out a one-run lead and did so on 17 pitches. The veteran has now converted all eight save opportunities since returning from the injured list July 1, yielding just two earned runs over 13 appearances during that stretch. On the year, he's 14-for-17 in save chances with a 4.10 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB across 26.1 innings.

Young (9-3) earned the win against the Twins on Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

Young was spotted an early lead and ran with it, throwing 69 of 104 pitches for strikes with 14 whiffs while earning his 10th quality start of the season. The 27-year-old had yielded seven earned runs over his previous two starts, but he's now allowed exactly one earned run in each of his other three outings since the All-Star break. He owns a 3.33 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 93:41 K across 113.2 innings this year and lines up for a road matchup with the Rays next week.

Ober (7-4) took the loss against the Orioles on Tuesday, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk with four strikeouts over six innings.

Ober allowed five runs over the game's first three innings, all of which came via three Orioles home runs. It comes on the heels of back-to-back quality starts by the 27-year-old, who suffered his first loss in six outings since returning from the injured list July 9. He owns a 4.64 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 67:25 K across 99 innings this season and lines up for a difficult home matchup with Atlanta next week.