MLB Player News

Hicks (3-5) earned the win in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Cubs. He allowed a run on a hit and two walks in one inning.

The Cubs tied the game at 2-2 against Hicks in the seventh inning, but Tyler O'Neill's three-run home run in the bottom of the frame put the Cardinals ahead again. In his last 5.1 innings, Hicks has surrendered seven runs on five hits, four walks and two hit batters. He had some promising results in early July after moving back to the bullpen, but his recent form is likely to keep him in a middle-relief role. For the season, the right-hander owns a 4.93 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 38:28 K:BB across 42 innings through 20 appearances (eight starts).

Helsley (6-1) earned the win in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Cubs. He allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning.

Helsley kept the game tied at 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning, and Lars Nootbaar delivered a walkoff single in the bottom of the frame. Save chances haven't been that prevalent for the Cardinals lately -- Helsley last recorded one July 23, though he's strung together an 8.1-inning scoreless streak in his last eight outings. The hard-throwing righty owns a 0.62 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 66:12 K:BB with nine saves, six holds and three blown saves through 43.1 innings.

Nance (groin) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and will begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Nance landed on the injured list July 24 but is closing in on a return. It's not yet clear how many rehab appearances the right-hander will make, but it's possible that he rejoins the Marlins' bullpen as early as next week.

Junis (4-3) allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Dodgers.

Junis surrendered only one run before being pulled, but he labored throughout the start. He allowed multiple baserunners in each of his last three frames and needed 79 pitches to record 14 outs. Junis has failed to complete more than 4.1 innings in any of his three starts since being activated from the injured list July 16. Overall, he has a 3.05 ERA with a 53:14 K:BB across 62 innings for the season.

Kimbrel allowed one earned run on one hit while striking out one to earn the save Thursday against the Giants.

Kimbrel was handed a three-run lead in the ninth inning and managed to hang on to record his 20th save of the season. He has successfully converted his last six chances and turned in eight scoreless efforts across 10 total appearances since July 9. Kimbrel has a subpar 4.26 ERA with a 54:16 K:BB across 38 innings on the season, though he continues to have a firm grasp on the closer role in Los Angeles.

Sadzeck signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Sadzeck was designated for assignment by the Brewers on July 25 and elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. He's now found a new opportunity and could make his way to the big-league roster in Washington by season's end.

Diaz allowed a hit and struck out three over two scoreless innings to earn the save in Thursday's 6-4 win over Atlanta.

This was just the third time this year Diaz has been asked to get more than three outs. He was fresh, having not pitched since July 29, and he didn't show any rust in a typical shutdown performance. The Mets closer has not allowed a run in 16.1 innings since June 22, and he's converted 10 of his 24 saves this season in that impressive span. Overall he owns a 1.44 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 87:12 K:BB through 43.2 innings.

Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Thompson was called up by the Cardinals in mid-July and tossed two scoreless innings over two relief appearances with the major-league club. He should see more consistent work in the minors, while his demotion makes room for Jordan Montgomery on the active roster.

Treinen (shoulder) sported a fastball that topped out at 97 miles per hour in a simulated game Wednesday, and he could soon begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Treinen is on the road with the club in San Francisco, and manager Dave Roberts stood in against him during his sim game. Roberts noted that Treinen hit 97 on the radar gun and that the session went well. He also said that the righty reliever could toss another sim game, but it's possible he heads out on a rehab assignment as his next step.

Graterol (shoulder) reached 100 mph in a bullpen session Wednesday and is close to facing live hitters, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Graterol is on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, but he appears to be moving past the issue. The flame-throwing reliever has been out for three weeks, so he may need a minor-league rehab stint prior to being activated. Graterol should remain a high-leverage reliever for the Dodgers upon his return.