MLB Player News

Megill secured the save against the Twins on Saturday, throwing a clean ninth inning with no strikeouts.

Megill nearly retired the side on a minimal workload, needing a mere four pitches to record the game's final three outs. The hard-throwing right-hander has cemented himself as Milwaukee's closer, last blowing a save June 5 in Colorado. Through 44.1 innings, Megill sports a 2.64 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 51:11 K:BB with 21 saves in 23 attempts.

Varland (5-4) was credited with the win in the Blue Jays' 7-5 extra-innings victory over the Phillies on Saturday. He allowed one unearned run on one walk while striking out one batter across two innings.

Varland entered Saturday's game looking to bounce back from Friday's effort, when he was charged with his first blown save of the season. He kept the game tied at 4-4 after the ninth inning and was brought back out for the 10th, with the run he gave up being unearned due to the automatic runner scoring on a Luis Arraez sacrifice fly. Varland has converted 24 of 25 save opportunities this season and has a 1.34 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 60.2 innings.

Pearson secured the save against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in one innings. He struck out two.

It's worth noting Steven Cruz, who seemed to have taken over as Kansas City's favorite for saves lately, worked ahead of Pearson on Saturday in the eighth inning for a hold. Pearson has handled a save opportunity in back-to-back appearances, suggesting he's in the conversation for high-leverage work. Through 25.2 innings for the Royals and Astros, the right-hander has a 2.81 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20:14 K:BB with two saves in three chances.

Lord will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher Sunday in a bullpen game against the Reds, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Lord made his return from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and tossed a scoreless inning of relief later that day against the Phillies, but he'll now be called upon to make his second start of the season. Washington has a permanent opening in its rotation after recently designating Zack Littell for assignment, but it's unclear if Lord will be gradually built up for a starting role or if the Nationals will turn to a Triple-A starter such as Luis Perales or Jackson Kent to fill the void. At least for Sunday's contest, expect Lord to be operating with a restricted workload after having not worked longer than three innings in any of his 28 appearances on the season.

Tampa Bay announced that Legumina will open Saturday's matchup with the Mariners, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

With original starter Griffin Jax (elbow) sidelined as a late scratch, the Rays will turn to Legumina as the opener for Saturday's affair. Legumina, who was a Mariner earlier this season before being dealt to Tampa Bay, will make his second appearance against his former team this year. This will be the 29-year-old's fifth start of the campaign. Through 48.1 innings this season, the right-hander owns a 4.28 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB in 38 appearances.

Harris gave up a run on three hits and a walk over 1.1 innings Saturday to record his 10th save of the season in a 7-3 win over the Red Sox. He struck out two.

The southpaw got the final out of the eighth inning with the tying run on deck and the A's ahead 6-2 to qualify for a save chance, but Harris created his own jam in the ninth and escaped a bases-loaded, two-out situation by getting Eli White to line out to center field. Harris has been tagged for at least one run in three of his last four appearances, inflating his ERA from 3.09 to 3.71, but his hold on the closer job appears fairly secure -- no other A's reliever has picked up a save since Mason Barnett on June 25.

Bednar recorded his 26th save of the season in a 5-4 win over Atlanta, allowing one run on one hit and one walk in the ninth inning Saturday. He struck out one.

The veteran closer made things interesting, but Bednar finally shut the door by getting Drake Baldwin to line out to right field. Bednar hasn't blown a save since May 17, converting 16 straight chances while posting a 1.14 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB in 31.2 innings and adding four wins to his ledger, but after working Friday and Saturday he likely won't be available should the Yankees have another late lead to protect in the series finale Sunday.

The Red Sox are expected option Burgos to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

After being called up from Triple-A on Friday, Burgos will head back to Worcester after two appearances with the big-league club. The 27-year-old pitched a scoreless three innings with two strikeouts in Friday's 13-1 win over the Athletics en route to earning a save, then mopped up for three innings in Saturday's 7-3 loss while giving up a pair of solo home runs. The Red Sox will make the transaction official prior to Sunday's series finale and will presumably call up a fresh bullpen arm in a corresponding move.

Vargas (lat) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Everett on Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Vargas has been on the shelf all season due to a right lat strain. The right-hander suffered a setback in late April that caused him to pause his throwing progression, but he's since been able to work his way back to the point of taking part in minor-league games. Given the length of his absence, Vargas will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances before he's ready to be activated.

The Tigers transferred Hurter (back) to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday to begin a rehab assignment, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

Hurter has been on the injured list since late May due to lumbar spine inflammation. He began throwing in late July and is now ready to get back into game action. Hurter is eligible to come off the IL at any time, but he'll probably need to log multiple outings with Toledo before doing so.