MLB Player News

Howard (shoulder) felt good after throwing a bullpen session Monday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard has already spent the required 10 days on the injured list with a sore right shoulder. He has a chance to return for the final weekend of the season, though he'd likely be limited to a bullpen role.

Melancon gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his 11th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Marlins.

The veteran closer has been scored upon just once in his last 10 appearances, although his 5:1 K:BB through 10 innings during that stretch isn't exactly dominant. On the year, Melancon now sports a 2.18 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, and he's blown only one of his 12 save chances.

Matzek (4-3) picked up the win in Monday's 5-4 victory over the Marlins, walking two and striking out three over two scoreless innings of relief.

Huascar Ynoa got the start but left after three innings due to a cracked fingernail on his pitching hand, opening the door for Matzek to enter the game with Atlanta ahead and earn credit for the win. The southpaw has made a successful return to the majors this season, posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 38:9 K:BB through 26.2 innings, primarily in middle relief.

Hudson (forearm) is set to meet with Dr. George Paletta in St. Louis on Tuesday regarding the next steps in his recovery, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander's regular season is deemed to be over, but Hudson will naturally hope to have his recovery completed as soon as possible so as to be able to enter spring training in 2021 without restrictions. The 26-year-old put together a third consecutive solid showing during the abbreviated 2020 campaign that included a 2.77 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and career-best 20.5 percent strikeout rate, and he's poised to be a pivotal part of the rotation again next season, if healthy.

Wilson will start Tuesday's game against the Marlins, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Wilson was recalled Monday afternoon, and he won't need to wait long before seeing big-league action. He's appeared in four games so far this season, posting a 7.04 ERA and 2.09 WHIP with six punchouts across 7.2 frames.

Alzolay was recalled by the Cubs on Monday.

Alzolay spent a week and a half at the Cubs' alternate training site, but he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen after Ildemaro Vargas (hamstring) was placed on the injured list Monday. The right-hander should be available out of the bullpen Monday and could provide a relief option Tuesday as starter Jose Quintana (lat) could be on a pitch count.

Wilson was recalled by Atlanta on Monday.

Wilson will rejoin the major-league pitching staff after Cole Hamels (shoulder) was placed on the injured list Monday. The right-hander has solely appeared out of the bullpen, but his past work as a starter could make him a strong candidate to start in Hamels' place Tuesday.

Gallegos (groin) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Monday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Gallegos will return to action after missing the minimum 10 days with a groin injury. He should resume a prominent role in the Cardinals' bullpen, although it's unclear whether he'll serve as the closer as Andrew Miller has been receiving save chances in recent games. Gallegos has converted on all four of his save opportunities this season while posting a 3.97 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over 11.1 innings in 2020.

Pagan was tagged with a blown save in Sunday's win over Seattle. He pitched one inning and allowed two runs on two hits while striking out two.

Pagan's ERA sat at 7.36 after blowing a save Aug. 20, but he had subsequently recovered to notch seven straight scoreless outings covering seven innings. That streak ended Sunday, however, when Dylan Moore launched a two-run homer off Pagan in the eighth inning. The Padres ultimately pulled out an extra-inning victory, but Pagan nonetheless was tagged with his fifth blown save of the season.

Medina was optioned to the Phillies' alternate training site Monday.

Medina made his major-league debut Sunday and was charged with a loss against the Blue Jays. It's unclear whether he could make another appearance on the active roster prior to the end of the regular season, but the 23-year-old displayed some promise in his first outing in the majors.