MLB Player News

Johnson (elbow) struck out one over a perfect inning in his first rehab appearance Tuesday for the Padres' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate.

The appearance was Johnson's first at any level in more than four months after the Padres placed him on the injured list April 22 with right elbow tendonitis. The right-hander could make a few more appearances in Arizona before eventually transferring his rehab assignment to Triple-A El Paso or Double-A San Antonio prior to being reinstated from the 60-day IL as soon as next week. Johnson will likely be ticketed for a middle-relief or setup role for San Diego once he's activated.

Bard gave up one hit in a scoreless ninth inning of work to earn the save in a 7-6 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday. He struck out one batter.

Bard bounced back after giving up a run to blow the save in his last appearance against the Giants on Sunday. This time, he helped the Rockies hang on to a one-run lead with a clean ninth-inning appearance. Overall, Bard has been excellent this season and boasts a 2.22 ERA to go along with 26 saves, three wins and 51 strikeouts over 44.2 innings pitched.

Santos was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento and placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday with a right groin strain, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The right-hander was placed on the 7-day IL over the weekend by Sacramento, and the Giants called up him and moved him to the 60-day IL to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. Santos posted a 4.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 34:20 K:BB across 33 innings at Triple-A this year and is set to miss the rest of the season.

Scott allowed a hit and allowed two inherited runners to score in two-thirds of an inning, securing the save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Athletics.

Cole Sulser began the ninth inning with a five-run lead, but he recorded only one out. Scott had some trouble cleaning up the mess but ultimately closed it out for his 19th save of the season. The 28-year-old southpaw is now 19-for-24 in save chances this season while logging a 4.26 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 70:35 K:BB through 50.2 innings. He's been charged with three runs in eight innings across eight appearances in August.

Manager Oliver Marmol said after Tuesday's doubleheader split with the Cubs that Helsley (personal) won't be reinstated from the restricted list Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Marmol said earlier Tuesday that Helsley was expected to be back with the Cardinals on Wednesday, but the closer will instead remain with his wife and newborn child for at least another day. The 28-year-old was placed on the paternity list Friday, which has a three-day maximum, and he was transferred to the restricted list Monday. It's unclear if Helsley is expected to return for Thursday's series finale in Chicago.

Rucker (3-1) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. He didn't allow a hit or a walk, and struck out one.

Rucker now has three victories in his past seven appearances after having no wins across his first 39 games at the MLB level dating back to last season. That shows the volatility of relief pitching, though Rucker has also taken on a more prominent bullpen role for the Cubs with Scott Effross, Mychal Givens and David Robertson all getting traded before the deadline. Rucker should continue to appear in high-leverage spots, though his value will be capped unless he challenges Rowan Wick and Brandon Hughes for save opportunities.

Diaz (4-2) blew the save and took the loss Tuesday in Philadelphia, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out one in one-third of an inning.

Diaz walked the first batter and then gave up a run-scoring double to Bryson Stott to tie the game. After a strikeout, Nick Maton singled home Stott to end it. Tuesday marked the first time Diaz allowed a run in nine outings in August. Since returning from a biceps injury at the beginning of July, he's compiled a 1.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB in 18 innings.

Hand (3-1) picked up the victory Tuesday after blowing the save, allowing two unearned runs on two hits while striking out one in the ninth inning of a 7-6 win over Cincinnati.

After Hand retired the first batter of the ninth, Nick Senzel reached after Edmundo Sosa committed a throwing error. Hand then allowed a single and retired a batter before TJ Friedl tripled home both runners to give Cincinnati the lead. It was Hand's first save opportunity since July 8. He's given up just one earned run in his last 11.2 innings but has a concerning 6:7 K:BB in that span. David Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez (triceps) have received the most save chances since the trade deadline, but Hand and Andrew Bellatti have also been given an opportunity.

Doval pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out a batter on his way to a save in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Tigers.

Doval was called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, but he quickly ran into some trouble. After getting Riley Greene to ground out to open the frame, the closer allowed two consecutive hits before walking Eric Haase to load the bases with one out. Doval was able to get Miguel Cabrera to strike out before inducing a game-ending groundout by Harold Castro, finishing the outing unscathed. The save was his 18th of the season and he has now converted 10 straight opportunities. Doval has now gone 10 straight appearances without allowing an earned run, lowering his ERA from 3.21 to 2.58 over that stretch.

Hughes earned the save in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against St. Louis, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning in a 2-0 victory.

Hughes needed just eight pitches to retire the side in order and collect his third save in the last week. The rookie has received the last three ninth-inning save opportunities for the Cubs after Rowan Wick received the bulk of the opportunities after the trade deadline. Hughes has a 2.20 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 19:4 K:BB in 16.1 innings since the All-Star break. It appears as if the lefty and Wick will split the closing duties for Chicago for the time being.