MLB Player News

Norris is dealing with a cut on his throwing hand following Friday's loss to the Cardinals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Norris apparently dealt with a similar issue earlier in the season but hasn't been forced to spend time on the injured list. The Brewers will likely monitor his status in the near future but is currently considered day-to-day.

Topa (elbow) will likely be placed on the injured list after he left Friday's game against the Cardinals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Topa was initially diagnosed with right elbow discomfort after his early departure, but he'll get an MRI on Saturday to determine the extent of the issue. While manager Craig Counsell said that the right-hander will likely require a trip to the injured list, a better idea of his status will likely be revealed based on the results of his MRI.

Topa exited Friday's game against the Cardinals with right elbow discomfort, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Topa was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, and he allowed two runs in one inning in Wednesday's win over the Giants. He gave up four runs in two-thirds of an inning prior to his departure in Friday's series opener, but the severity of his injury isn't yet clear.

Miller (0-1) allowed a run on one hit in one inning to take the loss Friday versus the Cubs.

The 30-year-old was given the ball for the sixth inning, but he allowed a solo home run to Frank Schwindel, and the Cubs were able to maintain that lead. Miller had posted a scoreless inning in his Pittsburgh debut Wednesday, but he wasn't able to limit the damage this time versus the team he started the year with. Given his declining performance since 2017, Miller is likely destined for a low-leverage role while in the big leagues.

Megill (1-0) earned the win Friday over Pittsburgh with 1.1 perfect innings. He struck out three.

The 27-year-old hasn't enjoyed many clean outings this year, but he was able to get the final out of the sixth inning in relief of Alec Mills. Megill stayed in and got through the seventh without trouble, contributing part of 3.1 perfect innings from the Cubs' bullpen. The right-hander owns a 9.60 ERA, 1.87 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 14.2 innings this year while allowing runs in seven of his 19 appearances. He'll likely continue to see mainly low-leverage spots.

Guzman (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 25-year-old landed on the shelf with soreness with his right elbow in mid-August, so the move to the 60-day IL will bring an end to his 2021 campaign. Guzman missed the first half of the season while rehabbing an elbow issue and made only 11 appearances between Triple-A and the majors before suffering another injury.

Finnegan was reinstated from the paternity list prior to Friday's game against the Mets.

He ended up missing three days to attend to the birth of his child. Finnegan is the unquestioned closer for Washington, so he could net a handful of saves down the stretch.

Lawrence was optioned back to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

The 26-year-old pitched Wednesday and surrendered three runs while only getting one out. His major-league numbers this season are up to an inflated 8.64 ERA and 2.40 WHIP over 16.2 innings. Right-hander Ashton Goudeau was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Almonte (1-3) was tagged with the loss in relief Thursday against Atlanta after allowing three runs on three hits across 1.1 innings.

Almonte retired Jorge Soler to close the fourth inning, but he wasn't effective in the fifth and allowed the three runs that let Atlanta turn things around on a sacrifice fly by Dansby Swanson that scored Freddie Freeman, and a two-run home run by Adam Duvall. Almonte had tossed three straight scoreless appearances before this outing, and he owns a 3.95 ERA across 13.2 innings (10 games) since the beginning of August.

Smith picked up the save Thursday against the Rockies after tossing a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Smith has closed the door in each of his last seven appearances and seems to have bounced back after going 1-for-3 in save opportunities over a five-day stretch last month (Aug. 7 to Aug. 11). While Smith has given up runs in three of his last six appearances, he remains a reliable arm for Atlanta and his role as the closer isn't in any sort of danger. He has gone 30-for-34 in save chances on the season while posting a 3.76 ERA across 55 innings (58 appearances).