MLB Player News

St. Louis selected Leahy's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Leahy is up to fill a long-relief role for the Cardinals, who badly need fresh arms in the bullpen. The 26-year-old right-hander was showing an underwhelming 4.06 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 51:23 K:BB through 51 innings of work this season with Memphis.

Hicks (1-5) took the loss and a blown save Wednesday versus the Marlins, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out one in one-third of an inning.

The Cardinals took the lead in the top of the ninth inning, but Hicks' own throwing error allowed the Marlins to score the winning run. Over his previous seven appearances, he'd given up just one run while striking out 10 across 7.2 innings, picking up five saves and a hold in the process. Hicks has generally been good since stepping into the closer role with Ryan Helsley (forearm) out. For the season, Hicks is at a 4.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 53:23 K:BB with five saves and six holds through 34.2 innings.

Wilson (elbow) had his rehab assignment transferred Thursday to Triple-A Nashville, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Wilson is now just one step away from returning to the Brewers' bullpen after a three-appearance stint in the Arizona Complex League, during which he struck out six of the 11 batters he faced. The veteran southpaw is more than 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery and could be deemed ready for major-league action shortly after the All-Star break.

Karcher was designated for assignment by the Reds on Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Tony Santillan (back/hamstring) has been activated off the 60-day injured list to fill the vacated 40-man roster spot. Karcher earned a save last month in his major-league debut, but he was sent back to Triple-A Louisville soon after and has struggled to a 7.18 ERA over 31.1 innings of relief this summer in the International League.

Kennedy was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Kennedy made a spot start for the Reds on Tuesday versus the Nationals and surrendered four earned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He'll return to a rotation role at Louisville.

Santillan (back/hamstring) was activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Finally recovered from lingering back and hamstring injuries, Santillan will be available out of the Reds' bullpen -- for the first time this season -- Thursday afternoon against the Nationals. The 26-year-old right-hander holds a career 3.71 ERA with 77 strikeouts in 63 major-league innings.

Burdi (appendicitis) has advanced to long tossing, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Burdi is currently stationed at the Cubs' spring training complex in Arizona as he works back into form following an emergency appendectomy in late May. He's not eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list until July 23.

Hoeing did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks over three innings against St. Louis. He struck out three.

Hoeing managed to get through the first inning unscathed despite allowing a double and two walks on 27 pitches. However, the Cardinals would get to him for five runs in the third, as the right-hander failed to retire five of the first six batters he faced, and he eventually surrendered a two-run blast to Nolan Gorman to top things off. Hoeing has now allowed five or more runs in back-to-back starts, giving up four homers over that stretch.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Wednesday's win over the Pirates that Graterol has been unavailable the last couple days due to an arm issue, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The specifics of the injury aren't available at this time. The team will check on Graterol on Thursday to see if he can be available. If he can't, he could be placed on the injured list. Graterol has notched four saves for the Dodgers this season as one of their primary late-inning relief weapons.

Chafin (2-2) was charged with a blown save and the loss Wednesday. The left-hander allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning against the Mets.

Chafin got the first two outs and nearly had the third, but catcher Carson Kelly couldn't hang on to Francisco Alvarez's foul tip. Given a second life, Alvarez drilled a game-tying home run to right-center field, and Chafin blew his third save in 11 chances. Two batters later, the Diamondbacks were down a run. Chafin had been the primary closer to the start the season, but he hadn't been used in a close-out situation since May 29, as Scott McGough emerged in that role. This was the third time in the last week the bullpen failed the Diamondbacks late in a game.