MLB Player News

Lamet was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Lamet was called up by San Diego on Saturday, but he'll head back to the minors after he gave up three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four in 2.1 innings against the Giants on Sunday. Right-hander Reiss Knehr was recalled Monday to take Lamet's place in the major-league bullpen.

The Cardinals optioned Thompson to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Thompson had started to hit his stride in a relief role for the Cardinals, as he struck out nine and turned in a 0.64 WHIP while tossing 11 scoreless innings across his last eight appearances. The demotion to the minors thus shouldn't be viewed as performance-related, with manager Oliver Marmol telling Katie Woo of The Athletic that the assignment to Memphis will allow Thompson to get stretched back out as a starter or as a multi-inning reliever, depending on the Cardinals' needs coming out of the All-Star break.

McHugh (2-1) picked up the win in Sunday's extra-innings victory over the Nationals, giving up one hit and one walks while striking out one over two scoreless innings.

The right-hander kept Washington off the board in the 11th and 12th innings, and got rewarded for his efforts when Atlanta finally pushed across a run. McHugh has been asked to pitch more than one inning in five of nine appearances since returning from the COVID-19 list in mid-June but he's handled the workload well, posting a 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB through 14.1 innings over that stretch with both of his wins on the year. McHugh hasn't recorded a hold since June 5 however, and he doesn't appear to be part of manager Brian Snitker's setup mix at present.

Helsley picked up the save Sunday, tossing a perfect ninth inning in a 4-3 win over Philadelphia.

Helsley was able to get three flyouts to close out the ballgame and earn his seventh save. After fanning 24 in his previous 13.2 innings, he did not record a strikeout for the first time since June 7. The 27-year-old continues to dominate opponents, as his 0.73 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and .107 opponents' batting average are some of the best marks among relievers in baseball.

Pallante allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out four in 5.2 innings in a 4-3 win Sunday over Philadelphia. He did not factor into the decision.

Pallante gave up a single to each of the first three batters he faced but managed to limit the damage to one run in the first. After retiring the side in order in the next two innings, he again allowed three straight singles in the fourth, leading to another run. The final run came on a Kyle Schwarber solo shot to lead off the fifth. In two starts in July, the 23-year-old has allowed 10 runs on 19 hits, including three homers, in 9.1 innings. His next start will likely be this weekend against the Reds.

Nelson opened Sunday, allowing a run on three hits and a walk while striking out four in two innings in a 4-3 loss in St. Louis. He did not factor into the decision.

After striking out the side in the first inning, Nelson allowed singles to three of the first four batters in the second, leading to the Cardinals' first run. It was the first time the Phillies used him as an opener all season. Including Sunday, the 26-year-old has allowed just one run in his last 9.2 innings while posting an 11:3 K:BB across five outings. He'll likely move back to his middle-relief role in his next outing.

Leiter (2-4) allowed an unearned run on two hits while retiring one batter via strikeout to take the loss Sunday against the Dodgers.

The Cubs probably didn't plan on using Leiter, who tossed five innings as the starting pitcher Thursday against the Dodgers, but Sunday starter Drew Smyly lasted only two frames in the 11-9 loss, so the team had to scramble. Leiter became the first Chicago pitcher to start a game and appear in relief during the same series since Daniel Norris accomplished that last season, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. Leiter has made four starts and nine relief appearances so far this year, and he hasn't been particularly effective in either role, registering a 5.14 ERA across 35 innings. He's likely to stick in the bullpen moving forward now that the Cubs have returned both Smyly and Marcus Stroman from the injured list.

Scott walked one batter over a scoreless inning Sunday, striking out two and earning a save over the Mets.

Scott bounced back quickly after he blew a save and was tagged with a loss against the Mets on Saturday. He threw 11 of 19 pitches for strikes, and the lone blemish on his final line came in the form of a two-out walk to Mark Canha. Scott has now converted 12 of 15 save chances on the year, though two of those blown opportunities have come in his last five outings. He's sporting a 4.04 ERA with a 54:22 K:BB through 35.2 frames.

Graterol struck out one across two perfect innings to earn the save in Sunday's 11-9 win over the Cubs.

Julio Urias' two-inning start essentially made this a bullpen game for the Dodgers. Graterol was able to finish it off and successfully protect a two-run lead after David Price allowed a solo home run to Nelson Velazquez with no outs in the eighth inning. This was Graterol's first appearance since he exited his appearance Thursday with cramps in his side. The right-hander has a 3.35 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB while logging three saves, nine holds and a 2-3 record in 40.1 innings as the Dodgers' primary setup man to Craig Kimbrel. Graterol's scoreless streak is up to 7.2 innings.

Wilson (hamstring) completed a bullpen session Friday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Wilson has been on the injured list since June 26 due to soreness in his hamstring and hip. The rookie reliever's absence isn't expected to be long term, and the fact that he was able to throw from a mound Friday suggests that he should be able to return shortly after the All-Star break. Wilson posted a 3.62 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB over 27.1 innings before going down with the injury.