MLB Player News

Santillan (back) is unlikely to return this season, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Manager David Bell called it a "long shot" to expect Santillan to return from his lower-back strain this season. Alexis Diaz has emerged as the Reds' go-to option for saves in Santillan's absence.

Finnegan registered a save against the Padres on Thursday, walking two batters and notching one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Finnegan threw only seven of 19 pitches for strikes and walked two of the first three batters he faced, but he was able to escape with the save after inducing a game-ending double play. Carl Edwards, who has picked up a pair of saves recently, looked better in the contest (he tossed a perfect frame and notched the win), but Finnegan is probably still the favorite for closing opportunities for now. He's gone 5-for-6 in save chances since the All-Star break.

Williams struck out the side without allowing a baserunner to earn the save Thursday against the Dodgers.

Williams entered the game with a two-run lead and had little trouble shutting the door on the Dodgers to earn his eighth save of the season. He's allowed only one earned run across his last 37 appearances -- dating back to May 13-- and he owns an excellent 1.55 ERA and 75:19 K:BB across 46.1 innings. Williams has also collected two of the team's four saves since Josh Hader was traded to San Diego.

Jansen earned the save over the Mets on Thursday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in one inning.

Jansen was handed the ball in the ninth inning and asked to protect a one-run lead. He allowed a leadoff single to Francisco Lindor but was able to keep New York from tying the game. Jansen has earned a save in each of his past four appearances, tossing four scoreless innings and registering four strikeouts over that stretch. He's tied for second in the majors with 28 saves on the campaign and has blown only four chances.

Hughes allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Orioles.

Rowan Wick pitched on consecutive days entering Thursday's game and was likely unavailable, which gave Hughes an opportunity in the ninth inning. Though the tying reached scoring position -- Zach McKinstry committed an error in addition to the hit surrendered -- Hughes got Cedric Mullins to line into a game-ending double play to tally his first career save. Wick appears to have a clear grip on the closer role for the Cubs, but Hughes has been excellent across 38.2 innings this season by maintaining a 3.03 ERA and 49:13 K:BB.

Johnson (elbow) is traveling to Peoria on Thursday to begin a rehab assignment with the Padres' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson has been on the injured list since April 22 due to right elbow tendinitis, but his rehab assignment represents a significant step forward in his recovery. The right-hander initially hoped to return in mid-to-late August, his return has likely been pushed to sometime in September since he'll presumably require a relatively lengthy rehab assignment. Once he's ultimately healthy, Johnson should have a chance to carve out setup duties for the big-league club down the stretch.

Beede is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Reds at PNC Park, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Beede appeared on track to lose his spot in the rotation when Roansy Contreras was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to start Wednesday against the Red Sox, but the Pirates will at least temporarily keep a six-man rotation in place. Keeping Beede on hand as a sixth starter will allow the Pirates to build in more rest between starts for Contreras, and at least in the short term, it allows Mitch Keller to get more recovery time after he exited his previous start Tuesday with right shoulder fatigue. Since he had been pitching out of the bullpen before entering the rotation Aug. 8, Beede isn't yet built up to a traditional starter's workload and didn't reach the fifth inning in either of his prior two turns through the rotation.

Mejia (suspension) was reinstated from his rehab assignment and optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Mejia had been sidelined since mid-May for violating the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, but he was able to begin a rehab assignment in early August. The right-hander struck out four in 3.2 perfect innings over four rehab appearances but will remain in the minors now that his suspension has been served. According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, as a result of the suspension, Mejia won't be eligible to pitch in the postseason if Milwaukee should qualify.

Morejon (2-0) was credited with the win against the Marlins on Wednesday. He struck out three batters over 1.2 scoreless innings.

San Diego got off to a big early lead, but starter Mike Clevinger wasn't sharp and exited after allowing three of the four batters he faced in the fifth inning to reach base. Morejon came on and hit the first batter he faced with a pitch, but he rebounded by striking out the following two hitters. The southpaw remained in the game for the sixth frame and retired the side on 11 pitches. Morejon has been excellent through seven appearances in August, pitching 7.2 scoreless innings and posting a 7:1 K:BB.

Leone (3-4) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out one in one inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks.

Leone gave up a single to Christian Walker and a double to Stone Garrett before allowing a two-run single to Jake McCarthy in the eighth inning. The Giants' offense couldn't bail him out, sending Leone to a loss for the first time since July 24. In 9.1 innings since the All-Star break, the setup man has struggled, allowing nine runs, 13 hits and four walks while striking out 10. He has a 4.50 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 45:16 K:BB while adding three saves, 11 holds and four blown saves in 42 innings this year. Considering his recent form, Leone is not a realistic threat to unseat closer Camilo Doval.