MLB Player News

Mantiply allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Monday's 6-5 loss to Pittsburgh.

The Diamondbacks had a 5-2 lead entering the seventh inning, but the combination of Taylor Clarke and Mantiply let the Pirates tie it up. Mantiply made his first appearance since Aug. 12 after spending time on the COVID-19 injury list. He, like several others in the bullpen, is pitching for a spot on next season's roster.

Clarke allowed two runs on one hit and one walk over a third of an inning in Monday's 6-5 loss to the Pirates.

The Diamondbacks held a 5-2 lead when Clarke entered to start the seventh inning, before the game was knotted at five by the time he and Joe Mantiply finished the inning. The 28-year-old former starter had been a reliable reliever until a shoulder injury shut him down in June. At the time, he had a 3.74 ERA, including a 2.37 stretch from May 1 to June 14. He's been less effective since his return earlier this month, giving up seven runs over eight appearances (9.45 ERA). It's a small sample, which can be attributed to the injury, but with spots in the 2022 bullpen wide open, the Diamondbacks would like to see the earlier version of Clarke cement a spot on next season's roster.

Bednar struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Monday to record his second save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

The 26-year-old appears to be locking down the closer role and has saves in each of his last two appearances -- Pittsburgh's only two saves since the team dealt Richard Rodriguez to Atlanta. Bednar has been especially impressive in August, posting a 0.84 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB over 10.2 innings.

Crowe didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks, coughing up five runs on eight hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He struck out five.

The right-hander fell apart in the fifth inning, and Crowe exited the game on the hook for his eighth loss of the season until the Bucs rallied in the bottom of the seventh. He hasn't completed five innings in any of his last four starts, and Crowe will carry a 5.46 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 84:43 K:BB through 89 innings into his next outing.

Bard (7-6) gave up a two-run homer and recorded one strikeout in Monday's loss to the Cubs.

Bard entered a 4-4 game in the ninth inning and gave up a walkoff shot to Rafael Ortega, giving him his sixth loss of the year. He's allowed five runs over his last 3.1 innings, raising his season ERA to 4.68. It was Bard's first loss since July 6 and he's still 20-for-27 in save chances on the year.

Rodriguez (2-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning and picked up the win Monday against the Rockies. He struck out one.

Rodriguez pitched a 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning in a 4-4 game, then earned the win when the Cubs scored twice in the bottom part of the frame. The 25-year-old has emerged as a candidate for saves in Chicago with Craig Kimbrel getting traded. Codi Heuer is also in the mix. Rodriguez has pitched well with a 2.70 ERA and looks like a decent fantasy option if he keeps seeing late-inning work.

Alzolay (hamstring) could make a rehab appearance for Triple-A Iowa this week, though the Cubs have yet to fully decide on their plans for him, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list, but it looks as though he's not quite ready to do so. He resumed playing catch two days after landing on the injured list and advanced to agility work the following day and a bullpen session the day after that, so it doesn't seem as though his hamstring strain is a serious one, but the rebuilding Cubs have little reason not to be cautious given their place in the standings.

Mantiply (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Mantiply spent just over a week on the COVID-19 IL due to contact tracing after starting pitcher Merrill Kelly tested positive for the virus. The 30-year-old southpaw has made eight relief appearances for the Diamondbacks, and he's recorded a 3.38 ERA and 2.25 WHIP with four holds in 5.1 innings during that time.

Vizcaino (undisclosed) struck out the side in a scoreless inning of relief Sunday in his return from Triple-A Syracuse's 7-day injured list.

After battling elbow soreness in spring training, Vizcaino was cleared to rejoin the Syracuse bullpen early in the 2021 season, but he made just five appearances before being shut down in late May with an unspecified injury. After an absence of nearly three months, the 30-year-old returned to action Sunday in dominant fashion. Since he doesn't possess a spot on the 40-man roster, Vizcaino will likely need to string together several quality performances before the Mets consider promoting him from Triple-A.

Reyes earned the save Sunday against the Pirates after tossing a scoreless inning, allowing two hits and fanning one.

Reyes found himself with runners on first and second with two outs after allowing back-to-back singles to Ke'Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds, but he closed the door after retiring Colin Moran on a line to right field. The hard-throwing reliever, who tossed 10 of his 13 pitches for strikes in this outing, snapped a short run of two games allowing earned runs, and he now has 28 saves out of 30 opportunities. He owns a 2.43 ERA across 55.2 innings in his first year as the Cardinals' full-time closer.