MLB Player News

Reyes secured his first hold in a win over the Mets on Monday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed a hit and a walk while striking out the side.

The Cardinals were only up 3-0 when Reyes entered in the eighth inning, so the assignment was a prototypical higher-leverage setup scenario. The previously embattled right-hander held his own by working around a pair of inning-opening baserunners, using his overpowering stuff to mow down the formidable trio of Pete Alonso, Javier Baez and Jeff McNeil and escape the frame unscathed. Reyes appears to be settling into a nice groove in the post-closer phase of his season, now having fired four scoreless innings over his last three appearances while posting a 6:2 K:BB and a pair of victories in addition to Monday's hold.

Bickford (4-2) was credited with the win against Arizona on Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

Starter Clayton Kershaw pitched well in his return to the mound, but he was limited to 50 pitches over 4.1 frames. Bickford took over with one out in the fifth and tossed 16 of 23 pitches for strikes over his inning of work, allowing only an infield single to pick up the victory. The right-hander continues to thrive in his first full big-league season. In 50 games with the Dodgers, he has posted a 2.54 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 54:17 K:BB while notching eight holds and one save.

Martin (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Martin has been out for just shy of two weeks due to right elbow inflammation. Given the relatively brief nature of his absence, he probably won't need too long of a rehab assignment before he's cleared to return.

Littell (3-0) pitched 1.2 perfect innings with two strikeouts to earn the win Monday over San Diego.

The right-hander again came away with a decision in a bullpen game. Littell relieved Jarlin Garcia with one out in the fourth inning and then stayed on for the fifth in a lopsided contest. Though he's picked up just two saves and five holds, Littell has a strong 2.67 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 54 innings this season, thanks in part to a career-low 0.8 HR/9 and tiny .216 BABIP.

Floro gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his 11th save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Nationals.

The right-hander continues to get the job done as the Marlins' closer. Since the beginning of August after Yimi Garcia was traded, Floro has converted nine of 10 save chances with a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 15 innings.

Leone allowed a hit and struck out one batter in two scoreless innings as the opener in Monday's win over San Diego. He did not factor in the decision.

Leone needed just 18 pitches (15 strikes) to roll through two shutout frames in Monday's victory. It didn't hurt that the Giants' offense racked up five runs in the first inning. The 29-year-old lowered his ERA to 1.41 through 46 appearances this season and has given up just one earned run over his last 14 innings.

De Los Santos was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Monday.

De Los Santos was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Sunday after posting a 6.75 ERA in 28 innings this season, but it's not too surprising to see another team taking a chance on him. His underlying numbers aren't bad, as his strong 30.7 percent strikeout rate should ordinarily be enough to overcome a sub-par 10.2 percent walk rate. Given that he's still just 25 years old, it's certainly not out of the question that he eventually becomes a useful piece for the Pirates. It looks as though he'll remain in the minors for now, as Pittsburgh cleared a 40-man roster spot for him by transferring Steven Brault (lat) to the 60-day injured list but did not clear a spot on the active roster.

Cabrera notched his 24th hold in a win over the Reds on Sunday, firing a scoreless eighth inning during which he allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts.

The left-hander appears to be hitting his stride again after a three-appearance stretch in late August during which he allowed nine earned runs. Cabrera has bounced back to forge four straight scoreless efforts spanning 5.1 innings, a sample during which he's also recorded six strikeouts and a victory in addition Sunday's hold. As a battle-tested southpaw, Cabrera is highly likely to continue seeing higher-leverage opportunities for what remains of the regular season.

Garcia recorded his eighth hold in a win over the Reds on Sunday, allowing a hit and recording two strikeouts over one inning.

Garcia continues to serve as a highly reliable relief option for manager Mike Shildt, now having forged 21 consecutive scoreless appearances. The veteran right-hander has seven of his eight holds on the season over that span as well, and he's now coaxed his previously bloated ERA and WHIP down to 2.16 and 0.88, respectively.

Adams allowed two runs on one hit, one walk and three hit batsmen while striking out one over one inning against the Dodgers on Sunday.

The right-hander had trouble finding the plate in the outing, but he had little problem locating Dodgers batters. After starting off his appearance by plunking Will Smith, he surrendered a double, two more hit batsmen and a sacrifice fly to allow two runs to cross the plate on only one hit. The lack of control is nothing new for Adams -- in fact, by hitting three batters Sunday, he tied the live-ball-era single-season record with 23 HBPs in one season. Remarkably, the previous record-holder (Detroit's Howard Ehmke) threw 279.2 innings when he established the record in 1922, while Adams has needed only 48.2 frames to match the dubious record this season.