MLB Player News

Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against Boston, allowing two hits while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Finnegan found himself in trouble after entering the game with a three-run lead in the ninth, surrendering a single and a double in the first two at-bats. However, the veteran reliever was able to work his way out of the jam, retiring the next three batters in order on just seven pitches to record his 19th save. Finnegan has not allowed a run since July 14 against the Cardinals, converting all eight of his save opportunities since then.

Phillips earned a save over the Brewers on Thursday, walking one batter and striking out two in a scoreless inning.

The two teams went head-to-head in a scoreless duel until Austin Barnes knocked a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth frame. Phillips was then brought in to protect that tenuous lead and retired the first two batters he faced before walking Sal Frelick. Frelick made it to second on a stolen base, but Phillips ended the threat by striking out Willy Adames. Phillips shared ninth-inning duties with Brusdar Graterol earlier in the campaign, but he's since emerged as Los Angeles' no-doubt closer, notching a save in each of his past six appearances and converting 18 of 20 chances on the campaign.

Martinez earned a save against San Diego on Thursday, walking two batters and striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Closer Paul Sewald had pitched four times in five days coming into Thursday, as had top setup man Kevin Ginkel, so Arizona manager Torey Lovullo opted to go to Martinez -- who was called up from Triple-A Reno earlier in the day -- to protect a two-run lead in the eighth inning. Martinez struck out Ha-Seong Kim looking to end that frame, then returned for the ninth to try to close things out. He got himself into a bit of trouble by walking Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts but escaped with the save after striking out Jake Cronenworth to end the contest. Though this was certainly an impressive performance by the 22-year-old right-hander, it's unlikely that he'll see many (if any) more save chances this season as long as Sewald and Ginkel are healthy and available.

Arizona recalled Martinez from Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Martinez has allowed seven earned runs in 3.1 innings (four appearances) this season in the majors, but the Diamondbacks need a fresh bullpen arm leading into their four-game series at San Diego. He'll operate in a low-leverage role.

Arizona optioned Frias to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Frias has registered a 5.71 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 16:13 K:BB in 17.1 innings this season at the major-league level. Justin Martinez will take his place in the Diamondbacks' bullpen ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Padres.

Helsley (forearm) will resume his rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Memphis, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

This is a quick turnaround, as Helsley was just pulled off his rehab assignment Wednesday due to renewed discomfort in the forearm he strained back in mid-June. Multiple rounds of imaging scans taken this week showed no structural damage, and he might again be on track to reclaim the closer role in St. Louis before the end of August.

Avila has made his last two appearances for the Padres on Aug. 6 and Aug. 12 as a long reliever, working 9.1 innings between the two outings while striking out nine and giving up one earned run on eight hits and one walk.

Though he was moved to the bullpen after making a spot start Aug. 1 in Colorado, Avila has essentially been piggybacking Rich Hill in both of the veteran southpaw's last two turns through the rotation. The Padres likely didn't plan for the two to work in tandem on either occasion, as Hill failed to escape the fourth inning in both outings while giving up nine earned runs in total. Hill is slated to start Thursday's game in Arizona, and Avila could be called upon to cover multiple innings once more if Hill again struggles early in the contest.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said July 21 that Knehr (elbow) would require season-ending Tommy John surgery, MLB.com reports.

Knehr has presumably had the procedure at some point over the ensuing four weeks and will now miss the rest of the 2023 season, and likely, the majority of the 2024 campaign. Before landing on the shelf in late June with the elbow injury, Knehr gave up 10 earned runs on 10 hits and five walks over 5.2 innings across four appearances with the Friars.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Hill (finger) isn't progressing as quickly as hoped and has yet to resume throwing bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.

Since landing on the 15-day injured list Aug. 2 with a sprained left ring finger, Hill has been limited to playing catch with tape on his injured digit. Melvin suggested that Hill will soon be able to remove the tape from his finger and start throwing off a mound, but the southpaw is still probably a week or more away from returning from the IL.

Morejon (knee) has made his last two rehab appearances at Triple-A El Paso, covering 1.2 innings and allowing an unearned run on one hit and no walks while striking out three between the two outings.

Morejon shifted his rehab assignment to El Paso after he struck out two in a scoreless inning for the Padres' rookie-level Arizona Complex League club Aug. 4. The right-hander has been on the shelf since July 16 with right knee inflammation, an injury he picked up while fielding a bunt. Morejon could be on the cusp of being activated from the 15-day injured list, but he's unlikely to hold a major role out of the Friars bullpen once reinstated.