MLB Player News

Hudson (elbow) was pulled from his scheduled rehab start at Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday due to the possibility of a looming activation from the injured list, the team's official site reports.

The Cardinals are playing a total of five games from Thursday through Sunday, and manager Mike Shildt wanted to evaluate his pitching needs for the condensed period before having Hudson put more minor-league innings on his arm. The possibility exists the right-hander is activated at some point over the weekend and put right into action for the big-league club, although whether that would be as a starter or reliever remains to be seen.

Howard will start a bullpen game for the Pirates on Friday against the Phillies, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Howard has not thrown multiple innings in any of his last four outings and has not completed more than two frames across the entire season. Given that, he will likely be in for a very short outing. Miguel Yajure -- originally projected to start the game -- could serve as a bulk reliever after Howard's exit, though no official plans have been announced by the team.

Finnegan allowed two earned runs on two hits while striking out one across one inning, earning the save in the win over the Reds on Thursday.

Finnegan entered the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He almost blew the lead, allowing three batters to reach base safely, including a triple by Max Schrock. However, he was able to strike out Tyler Stephenson to end the game. He has two blown saves in his last four appearances. The 29-year-old has a 3.57 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 63 strikeouts in 63 innings this season.

Treinen allowed one walk with no hits and no strikeouts across a scoreless 10th inning to earn the save Thursday against the Rockies.

Treinen was called upon to earn his fourth save of the season after Kenley Jansen threw a scoreless ninth inning to send the game to extra innings. With a runner starting on second base, Treinen walked the second batter he faced but induced a game-ending double play. Treinen has been an excellent high-leverage arm out of the Dodgers' bullpen, tallying 31 holds as well as maintaining a 1.95 ERA and 81:22 K:BB across 69.1 frames this season.

Gallegos earned the save Thursday by tossing a perfect inning against the Brewers with a pair of strikeouts.

Tasked with protecting a three-run lead in the ninth, Gallegos finished things off with ease, sending Daniel Vogelbach and Willy Adames down on strikes in the process. The right-hander has successfully converted 10 of his last 11 save opportunities, improving his season stats to a 3.18 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.

Williams has been unavailable recently due to a calf injury, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Williams hasn't pitched since Sept. 18, and manager Craig Counsell revealed after Thursday's loss to the Cardinals that the right-hander recently sustained a calf injury while running in the outfield. The team is hopeful that the 27-year-old will be able to avoid a trip to the injured list, but it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return.

Moore was placed on the 10-day injured list with a low back strain Thursday, retroactive to Sept. 20.

Moore tweaked his back during batting practice Wednesday, and the issue will force him to spend time on the injured list. He'll be eligible to return prior to the end of the regular season since the move was backdated to Monday, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be healthy enough in time. Left-hander Cristopher Sanchez was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take his place in the bullpen.

Thompson is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

Following a two-and-a-half-week-long absence due to shoulder inflammation, Thompson returned from the injured list last weekend and tossed two innings in a start against the Brewers. The Cubs deliberately capped Thompson at 40 pitches coming off the injury, but he should have a looser restriction Sunday. That being said, the Cubs aren't likely to ask him to work more than 4-to-5 innings, so Thompson could face a tough path to collecting a win.

Kranick will start Sunday's game in Philadelphia.

Kranick will make his second straight turn through the rotation after he struck out six and gave up three runs over five innings in a no-decision last weekend in Miami following his call-up from Triple-A Indianapolis. The rookie right-hander is sitting on a 7.28 ERA overall through his first seven big-league starts.

Doval (4-1) struck out a batter in a clean inning to earn the win over the Padres on Wednesday.

Doval relieved Scott Kazmir with bases loaded and nobody out in the fifth and was able to escape without any damage done to put himself in line for the win. He got Manny Machado to strike out before inducing an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play from Tommy Pham. The 23-year-old righty has 11 straight scoreless outings and has picked up three wins this month. For the year, Doval owns a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 26:9 K:BB over 21 innings.