MLB Player News

Phillips (6-3) earned the win over San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two batters over 1.1 innings.

Phillips entered a tie game with two outs in the seventh inning and began his outing with a walk before notching a strikeout to end the frame. The right-hander allowed two more hitters to reach base in the eighth but used a timely double play to escape without allowing a run. He picked up the win as a result of Los Angeles scoring four times in the bottom of the frame. Phillips has been arguably the Dodgers' most effective reliever this season, posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 61:14 K:BB over 53.1 innings while registering six wins, two saves and 17 holds.

Topa was recalled from Triple-A Nashville to serve as the 29th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Giants.

Topa was sent down in mid-August after being reinstated from the 60-day injured list, but he'll join the big-league club for its doubleheader against San Francisco. The right-hander has posted a 3.71 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 17 innings over 15 relief appearances at Nashville this year and should serve as an extra arm in Milwaukee's bullpen Thursday.

Hjelle was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to serve as the 29th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Hjelle made three relief appearances for the Giants earlier this season and gave up six runs while striking out nine in six innings. He's typically worked as a starter for Sacramento this year and could be available to make a spot start or serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen for the second game of Thursday's twin bill.

Littell (2-3) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 1.1 innings, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Dodgers.

Littell gave up the go-ahead run on an RBI double to Trea Turner, then yielded a three-run home run to Max Muncy. Littell hadn't given up more than one run in any of his previous nine appearances since returning from an oblique injury in August. The ugly outing Wednesday lifted his season ERA to 5.01 with a 1.33 WHIP, 36:12 K:BB, one save and four holds through 41.1 innings.

Thompson (back) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Thompson threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, and manager David Ross hopes that the right-hander will return to game action at some point in 2022. It's possible that Thompson will throw a simulated game or embark on a rehab assignment shortly after Friday's throwing session.

Duarte (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Duarte has been sidelined with an elbow issue since mid-April, but he now appears to be trending toward a return. The right-hander will presumably require multiple rehab appearances, but it's possible that he'll be available out of the Reds' bullpen late in the regular season.

Wilson didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, working six innings as a bulk reliever and giving up four runs on seven hits, including two home runs. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander entered the game in the second inning after Duane Underwood had spotted New York a 1-0 lead, and Wilson made the hole deeper by coughing up four more runs in the fourth. He's been charged with at least three earned runs in seven of eight appearances since the All-Star break, posting a 5.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 38.2 innings over that stretch.

Underwood (1-6) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up one run on two hits in one inning. He struck out one.

Working as the opener ahead of Bryse Wilson, Underwood wound up with the decision as the Pirates never tied things up and eventually lost 5-1. The right-hander has been tagged for runs in four straight appearances, and since the beginning of August he carries a 5.82 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and poor 11:8 K:BB through 17 innings.

Thompson (back) completed a live batting practice session Tuesday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Following the throwing session, Cubs manager David Ross reiterated that he wants to see the 27-year-old right-hander back on the mound this season, even though Thompson's 104.1 innings in 2022 have nearly doubled up his total from 2021. With that in mind, the Cubs are likely to keep a six-man rotation intact whenever Thompson and Justin Steele (back) are cleared to return from the 15-day injured list, and it's possible that both pitchers could have a turn or two skipped over the final month of the season. Before Thompson is activated, however, he'll likely first have to throw a simulated game or make a minor-league rehab start, which could happen as soon as this weekend.

Mantiply allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Padres.

At a time when manager Torey Lovullo indicated the team's closer situation is "fluid," per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, Mantiply is experiencing his worst stretch of the season. The left-hander has allowed runs in five of his last eight outings, posting a 12.71 ERA while allowing two home runs over 5.2 innings.