MLB Player News

The Cardinals placed VerHagen on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right hip impingement.

Just four days ago, VerHagen returned from a three-week stint on the IL due to a sore right shoulder, but he made only two appearances out of the St. Louis bullpen before succumbing to another injury. His latest IL stint is backdated to Friday, so he'll be eligible to return as soon as July 30. The Cardinals reinstated Steven Matz (shoulder) from the IL in a corresponding move in advance of his scheduled start Sunday against the Reds.

Hill earned a hold against Arizona on Saturday, allowing two hits and no walks in one scoreless inning.

Hill was called upon in the eighth inning as the bridge to closer Taylor Rogers with San Diego nursing a one-run lead. He made things interesting by giving up consecutive one-out singles, but the southpaw was able to get out of danger by inducing an inning-ending double play. Hill picked up five holds across his first 10 outings of the season, but this was his first since May 23 -- a span of 19 games. His strikeout rate has been cut exactly in half to 11.0 percent after he posted a 22.0 percent rate in 2021, and he's posted a 4.15 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 26 innings overall this season.

The Nationals optioned Harvey to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Since he tossed an inning in relief in three of the past four days, Harvey was unlikely to be available for Sunday's series finale versus Atlanta, a game the Nationals are treating as a bullpen day. With that in mind, the Nationals opted to replace Harvey on the 26-man active roster with Cory Abbott, who will be available as a multi-inning relief option after getting a call-up from Rochester.

The Nationals recalled Abbott from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Sunday's game against Atlanta, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Abbott is back with the Nationals three days after he was returned to the minors upon being designated as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the Mariners. He covered two frames in relief in the first game of the twin bill that day and should be available as a multi-inning option Sunday behind starter Erasmo Ramirez, who won't work deep into the contest in what will be a bullpen day for Washington.

Bard pitched a scoreless ninth inning, giving up only a walk while striking out one to earn the save in a 2-0 win over the Pirates on Saturday.

Bard was called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning, and he got the job done for his 20th save of the year. Bard has been one of 2022's biggest surprises, as he came into the season without having been assigned the closer role. The 37-year-old veteran has made the most of the opportunity and now boasts an excellent 2.02 ERA and 1.01 WHIP despite pitching at Coors Field. His 20 saves tie him for fourth most in MLB.

Gilbert allowed three runs on five hits and a walk with one strikeout in five-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Saturday.

Gilbert allowed only one run through five innings, but he put two runners aboard in the sixth. Luke Voit then took reliever Noe Ramirez deep for a three-run home run, denying Gilbert a chance at his first win of the season. Despite the late fade, this was a decent performance for the southpaw. He ends the first half of 2022 with a 5.34 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB in 30.1 innings, and he'll look to improve upon his 0-3 record after the All-Star break.

Rogers struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Rogers faced the top of the Arizona order and struck out Carson Kelly and Josh Rojas before getting Ketel Marte to pop out. The clean inning took Rogers just 15 pitches (10 strikes) to complete as he converted his second drama-free save in a row. The lefty opened the month in shaky form, but it appears he's settled back down. He has a 3.82 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 44:7 K:BB across 37.2 innings this year while converting 26 saves, one shy of Josh Hader's major-league-leading 27.

Manaea (5-4) earned the win Saturday versus the Diamondbacks. He allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in six innings.

Manaea gave up five extra-base hits, including an RBI triple to Buddy Kennedy in the fourth inning and a two-run home run to Carson Kelly in the fifth. Despite the hard contact, Manaea limited the damage well and earned his fourth quality start in his last five outings. He heads into the All-Star break with a win in consecutive starts for the first time this year. The southpaw owns a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 100:38 K:BB across 100.2 innings in 17 games.

Brebbia (5-1) walked one and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning to earn the win Saturday over the Brewers.

After Alex Cobb gave up a run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, Brebbia entered the contest. He walked Jonathan Davis -- who then stole second -- and struck out Christian Yelich before Davis was caught trying to steal third. The Giants went ahead in the bottom of the eighth to put Brebbia in line for the win, which was closed out by Dominic Leone. Through eight innings in July, Brebbia has given up six hits and four walks but only one run. The right-hander has a steady 2.45 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 36:12 K:BB with eight holds through 40.1 innings.

Leone allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.

Leone navigated the ninth inning on 11 pitches (eight strikes) to pick up his second save of the year. It was an interesting choice from manager Gabe Kapler -- Camilo Doval didn't pitch Friday, but he's struggled lately. Leone has now pitched three consecutive scoreless innings since a four-run blow-up July 5 versus the Diamondbacks. He could be in line to become the primary setup man or even challenge for the closer role, as Jake McGee was designated for assignment last Saturday and Tyler Rogers has moved into a middle-relief role. Leone has a sharp 3.31 ERA, but his 1.44 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB in 32.2 innings don't scream the stuff of elite closer, though he's also picked up 10 holds and posted a 3-1 record.