MLB Player News

Thompson (1-1) took the extra-inning loss Sunday versus the Cubs. He allowed an unearned run on three hits and struck out two over 1.2 innings without walking a batter.

Thompson was responsible for an RBI single from Willson Contreras, and the Cardinals couldn't get even in the bottom of the 10th inning. With Genesis Cabrera on the COVID-19 injured list, Thompson is expected to fill a multi-inning role in critical spots in games in the short term. He has a 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB in six appearances (one start) spanning 16.1 innings this year. Jack Flaherty (shoulder) made an early exit Sunday, and if he's forced to miss time again, Thompson would be among the shortlist of options to join the rotation.

Lee gave up a hit and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Dodgers.

The left-hander took over for Spencer Strider to begin the seventh inning and retired the first two batters he faced before giving up a single to Chris Taylor and getting the hook. Lee remains third in the pecking order among southpaws in the Atlanta bullpen behind Will Smith and A.J. Minter, but that hasn't stopped him from posting a 0.59 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB through 15.1 innings over 11 appearances since rejoining the big-league roster in late May.

Chavez walked one and struck out one in one-third of an inning Sunday to record his third hold of the season in an extra-innings loss to the Dodgers.

Entering the game with two outs in the seventh inning and a runner on first base, Chavez walked Trayce Thompson before fanning Trea Turner. The right-hander appears to have moved into a higher-leverage role in the Atlanta bullpen, as all three of his holds have come in his last four appearances -- part of a 10-game scoreless streak that has seen Chavez post a 0.89 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB over his last 12.1 innings.

The Cardinals plan to select Naile's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

St. Louis will make the transaction official shortly before Monday's series opener. versus the Marlins once the team determines who will come off the 26-man active roster to open up a spot for Naile, who is projected to serve as a multi-inning relief arm out of the bullpen in his first stint in the majors. If the Cardinals opt to delay placing Jack Flaherty (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list, Naile could replace either Zack Thompson or Packy Naughton, both of whom worked in long relief during Flaherty's injury-shortened start in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Cubs. Over 27 appearances with Memphis on the season, the 29-year-old Naile has compiled a 3.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 42:11 K:BB in 46.1 innings.

Rainey got three outs in the bottom of the ninth while striking out one to earn his 10th save of the season.

Rainey got three outs to close the game and move to double-digit saves on the year. The Nationals didn't expect to need Rainey in this contest, but Francisco Perez gave up three runs without recording an out in the ninth to make it a save situation before being pulled from the game. The Nationals don't have many bullpen options, so Rainey should continue to see the team's highest-leverage situations despite posting a 4.70 ERA in June.

Robertson (2-0) pitched a perfect 1.1 innings of relief while striking out two to pick up the win in a 6-5 extra-inning victory over the Cardinals on Sunday.

Robertson came into a tie game with a man on first and two out in the ninth. He got out of the inning and pitched a clean bottom of the 10th after Willson Contreras had put the Cubs up in the top half of the frame. The veteran reliever continues to have success in the closer role for a Cubs team that has struggled immensely with pitching so far in 2022. Robertson boasts a .139 OBA on the year and has struck out an excellent 39 batters in 29 innings pitched.

Jansen allowed two runs on three hits and struck out two in one inning, taking a blown save Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Jansen converted saves in each of his first two outings against the Dodgers this year, but the third time saw his old team get revenge. Sunday marked just the third time he's allowed multiple runs in an appearance. Jansen is now 20-for-24 in save chances with a 3.58 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 47:8 K:BB through 32.2 innings this year. His other three blown saves all came in the final two weeks of May, but he was able to shake off that slump without it snowballing into something worse. He'll look to do the same going forward.

Graterol logged his first save of the season, striking out one in a perfect inning in Sunday's 5-3, 11-inning win over Atlanta.

Craig Kimbrel couldn't protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning, but Graterol fared better with a two-run advantage in the 11th. In addition to the save, Graterol has eight holds, a blown save and a 2-3 record through 31 appearances. The setup man has posted a 4.01 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB across 33.2 innings, though he's not yet expected to seriously challenge for ninth-inning duties amid Kimbrel's recent struggles.

Kimbrel (1-3) earned the win Sunday versus Atlanta. He allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in one inning.

Kimbrel couldn't protect a one-run lead in the 10th inning, allowing a game-tying RBI single to Matt Olson. While that gave Kimbrel a blown save, the Dodgers pulled ahead in the 11th, and Brusdar Graterol was able to lock down the save. Through 24 innings, Kimbrel is 13-for-15 in saves with a 4.13 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB. He's struggling a bit, but given his experience as a closer, the Dodgers are likely to be patient with the veteran right-hander.

Betances (shoulder) has struck out one and allowed an unearned run on one hit and no walks over two innings in his first two appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City since being activated Tuesday.

After signing a minor-league deal with the Dodgers in early April, Betances spent about two months ramping up at the organization's extended spring training facility before making his debut June 7 in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. He made four rehab appearances in the ACL before ultimately moving on to Triple-A, where he'll look to prove he still has something left in the tank as he makes his return from shoulder surgery. A four-time All-Star, Betances has made only 17 big-league appearances since the start of the 2019 season while enduring multiple arm-related injuries.