MLB Player News

Bellatti has been named the starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Bellatti has allowed just one run over his last eight appearances, fanning 12 and walking two over that stretch (7.2 innings). His longest outing of the season lasted 1.1 innings, so he'll be asked to give his club an inning or so before making way for the primary pitcher, who has yet to be determined.

Bickford (1-1) was credited with the win against the Cubs on Sunday despite giving up three runs on two hits and two walks over one inning. He struck out three batters.

Dodgers starter Julio Urias was shelled in the first inning and removed after the second, and Bickford came in to pitch the third. The right-hander struck out three batters in the frame but also surrendered a three-run homer to David Bote. That long ball put the Dodgers behind 8-3, but Los Angeles stormed back with six runs in the bottom of the frame and held onto the lead for the remainder of the contest to grant Bickford the improbable win. The rough outing came on the heels of one of Bickford's strongest stretches of the campaign -- over his previous six appearances, he had allowed only one run on two hits while posting a 7:0 K:BB and picking up three holds.

Jansen (chest) threw a bullpen Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Jansen expected to be activated from the injured list Tuesday, but he'll presumably need to wait at least one more day before he rejoins Atlanta's bullpen. Although he's unlikely to return Tuesday, he's made strong progress in his recovery recently and should be back in action in the coming days.

Knehr was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Knehr spent nearly a month in the minors and posted a 6.14 ERA and 2.32 WHIP in 7.1 innings over seven appearances during his stint with the Triple-A club. The right-hander should serve as a middle reliever for the Padres after Dinelson Lamet was sent down Monday.

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.