MLB Player News

Hicks recorded his third hold in an extra-inning win over the Phillies on Thursday, firing a scoreless sixth inning during which he issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts.

Manager Mike Shildt decided to afford Hicks his first action since Sunday by inserting him into the game immediately after the Cardinals had taken a 3-1 lead in the home half of the fifth inning. Hicks experienced trademark issues with his location while getting just nine of 19 pitches into the strike zone, but he still came away with his third hold. At present, an ascension to the closer's role he filled in 2019 before getting injured doesn't look to be anywhere in the cards for Hicks, as he still appears to be rounding back into shape after sitting out 2020, while Alex Reyes is currently perfect over six save chances while holding down ninth-inning duties.

Reyes (1-0) was credited with the victory in an extra-inning win over the Phillies on Thursday, firing two perfect innings during which he recorded three strikeouts.

The right-hander was refreshingly sharp, getting his six outs on 25 pitches, 18 of which found the strike zone. Reyes has made it virtually impossible for manager Mike Shildt to remove him from high-leverage duties -- and the closer's role specifically -- by firing 12.1 scoreless frames and going 6-for-6 in save opportunities across his first 12 appearances. Reyes has also now stayed away from issuing free passes entirely in back-to-back outings for the first time all season, an encouraging development considering his still-elevated 19.2 percent walk rate.

Adleman signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Friday.

The 33-year-old had a 5.52 ERA over 122.1 innings for the Reds during the 2017 season, and he'll rejoin the organization in 2021. Adleman will report to the alternate training site after spending last season at Detroit's alternate site.

Wilson was optioned to the alternate training site Friday.

Wilson started Thursday against the Cubs and took the loss after giving up four runs over three innings, and he's now surrendered 14 runs across 11 frames on the season. Sean Newcomb (COVID-19 protocols) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move, and Edgar Santana was also promoted for bullpen depth.

Cleavinger won't miss any time after taking a liner to the triceps against the Reds on Wednesday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Cleavinger was removed from his outing with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday after a liner struck him in the triceps area, but he didn't suffer a significant injury and won't need to miss any time. The southpaw warmed up in the bullpen late in Thursday's loss to Milwaukee, though he didn't get into the game.

Hader pitched one inning Thursday, allowing one run on two hits with one strikeout to pick up a save in a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers.

It wasn't the cleanest appearance, as Hader allowed a leadoff single to Chris Taylor, who eventually came around on a subsequent Austin Barnes single to cut the deficit to one, but he was able to induce a Mookie Betts flyout to earn the save. Hader has now collected a save in five straight appearances.

Wilson (1-2) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Cubs after surrendering four runs on seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out one batter across three innings.

As expected, Wilson covered a few innings as Atlanta's pseudo-opener. The 23-year-old got off to a rocky start, ending Chicago's 20-inning scoreless streak by giving up an RBI single to Kris Bryant in the first inning and then balking a run in. Trouble struck again with another pair of runs in his third and final frame of the night. On the season, Wilson has compiled a 6.75 ERA and 1.92 WHIP across 12 innings.

Alzolay (1-2) earned the win Thursday after holding Atlanta to two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six across six innings.

Making his first career start against Atlanta, Alzolay turned in an impressive performance. The only damage against him came from an RBI single by Austin Riley in the fourth inning and a solo home run by Marcell Ozuna in the sixth. Otherwise, the 26-year-old looked strong in his longest outing of the season, throwing 62 of 94 pitches for strikes. Alzolay projects to take the mound next at home Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Lawrence was recalled by the Rockies on Thursday.

Lawrence was recalled in a corresponding move to Yency Almonte (hand) being placed on the 10-day injured list. Assuming he appears in a game, Lawrence will be set for his big-league debut. He last pitched in official game action in 2019 at Triple-A, where he posted an 8.71 ERA and 2.08 WHIP across 10.1 innings.

Almonte was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hand contusion Thursday.

Almonte has contributed 8.2 innings out of the Rockies' bullpen this season, struggling to the tune of a 12.46 ERA and 2.31 WHIP in that span. Justin Lawrence was recalled in a corresponding move.