MLB Player News

Thompson (9-5) allowed one run on five hits across six innings to earn the win Monday against the Nationals. He had no walks and struck out three.

Thompson allowed a solo home run to Luke Voit in the sixth inning but was otherwise spotless. It was a nice rebound after the righty allowed five runs on 10 hits across 4.2 innings in his last start. Thompson has had some ups and down lately, though he's been mostly good this season with a 3.36 ERA and the nine wins. After making just six starts last year, the 27-year-old is now up to 15 starts this season, and he's likely secured a spot in the team's 2023 rotation. Thompson is penciled in to start again Sunday against the Reds.

Johnson (elbow) is aiming to return from the 60-day injured list in mid-to-late August after recently easing back into his throwing program following a brief shutdown period, MLB.com reports.

Johnson, who has been on the IL since late April with right elbow tightness, appeared to be trending toward throwing live batting practices coming out of the All-Star break, but the Padres pulled him off his progression after he experienced lingering soreness. He's since started to ramp up again, and he looks like he could be ready to face hitters by next week, if not within the next few days. Depending on how he fares during his eventual minor-league rehab assignment, Johnson could re-emerge as a key setup man for the Padres down the stretch.

Uceta was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Uceta has moved up and down several times this season, and he will rejoin the big club with fellow reliever Kyle Nelson (back) landing on the injured list. He figures to hold down a spot near the back of the bullpen last time he was with the Diamondbacks.

Nelson was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Aug. 5, with lower back spasms.

Nelson has been outstanding out of Arizona's bullpen this season, posting a 1.57 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 34.1 innings, but the club will be without one of its most reliable relievers for at least the next couple weeks. Edwin Uceta was recalled from Triple-A Reno to take Nelson's place on the roster.

Hughes has collected one win while providing an 0.69 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB in 13 innings over his 14 appearances out of the Cubs bullpen since July 1.

Though Hughes hasn't yet been asked to handle a high-leverage role out of the bullpen, that could be in the forecast for the left-hander in the aftermath of Tuesday's trade deadline, which saw the Cubs ship out closer David Robertson and key setup men Scott Effross, Mychal Givens and Chris Martin. Manager David Ross hasn't outlined his plans for the bullpen since the deadline, and no save chances have opened up over the Cubs' last six games, but Hughes' recent form makes him a candidate to at least factor into the late-inning mix. Rowan Wick, who has recorded 15 career saves and has turned in eight straight scoreless appearances, is the likely the Cubs' top choice to handle closing duties if Ross doesn't choose to take a committee approach.

The Rockies optioned Smith to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Smith's latest stint in the big leagues lasted all of three days. He made one appearance out of the bullpen for Colorado, striking out three over two scoreless frames in a game Wednesday against the Padres.

Mantiply struck out one over a scoreless 1.1 innings in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.

Mantiply did not get a win, hold or save, but his pitching contribution was the most important. With Arizona leading 2-0 entering the sixth inning, reliever Kevin Ginkel failed to retire any of the six batters faced, so it was up to Mantiply to put out the fire. The high-leverage left-hander is in the mix for saves now that Mark Melancon is no longer the full-time closer, but he may be more valuable as a fireman. Mantiply has made six consecutive scoreless appearances and sports a 1.42 ERA over 6.1 innings since the break. He doesn't blow away hitters with a high-velo fastball (90.4 mph), but Mantiply gets outs, keeps the ball in the park (0.6 HR/9) and hasn't walked many (four over 43 IP).

Beede is listed as the Pirates' starting pitcher for Monday's game in Arizona.

Though Beede will be making his second straight turn through the rotation, the Pirates may be treating his start as another glorified bullpen day. The Pirates will likely allow Beede to progressively stretch out over his subsequent starts, but he probably can't be counted on to cover much more than three frames Monday after he threw 42 pitches and lasted just 1.1 innings (while giving up four earned runs) in his first start of the season last week versus the Brewers.

Helsley picked up the save Sunday against the Yankees. He allowed one run on one hit and zero walks while striking out one over 1.1 innings.

Helsley entered the game with two outs in the eighth inning and had little trouble recording the out. DJ LeMahieu tagged him for a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning, but Helsley set down the other three batters he faced to record the four-out save, his 11th on the season. The 28-year-old reliever now sports an incredible 0.79 ERA to go with a 0.64 WHIP, and he hasn't blown a save since June 29.

Abbott (0-1) allowed seven runs on seven hits and five walks over 3.2 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking a loss against the Phillies.

Abbott never really found a groove Sunday as he gave up four homers in the short start, including three in the fourth frame. It was his second MLB start of the season, and he'd allowed just one run in nine frames with the big-league club before the rough outing. The 26-year-old righty saw his ERA climb to 5.68 with an 11:8 K:BB on the year. Assuming he stays in the rotation, Abbott is projected to face the Padres at home next week.