MLB Player News

Hicks is set to receive further imaging Monday on his sore right forearm, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The Cardinals labeled Hicks' removal from his appearance in Saturday's game against the Pirates as precautionary, but that doesn't mean he'll avoid a trip to the injured list. St. Louis should gain more clarity on the extent of Hicks' injury Monday. Hicks has served as a setup man in front of closer Alex Reyes this season, posting a 5.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 10:10 K:BB in 10 innings.

Moore will be available out of the bullpen Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The left-hander spent time on the COVID-19 injured list and hasn't pitched since April 17, so Vince Velasquez will receive another turn through the starting rotation. Moore struggled in three starts before landing on the shelf with a 9.82 ERA over 11 innings.

Ramirez was optioned to the alternate training site Sunday.

The 31-year-old has surrendered six runs over seven innings this season, and he'll return to the alternate site with Keone Kela (shoulder) back from the injured list. Ramirez could rejoin the Friars later in the season as bullpen pieces are rotated.

Alvarado was handed a three-game suspension Sunday but will continue to play while appealing the ban, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The 25-year-old received the suspension for his role in Thursday's benches-clearing incident with the Mets. He was the only player to be suspended for either team, though Dominic Smith and Miguel Castro were fined on the New York side. Alvarado will remain available until his appeal is heard.

Lamet (forearm) won't start Sunday's game against San Francisco.

The 28-year-old was in the mix to return from the injured list and take the mound Sunday, but Joe Musgrove will instead receive the starting nod. Lamet threw a 30-pitch bullpen session last Wednesday and could still be available Monday or Tuesday versus the Pirates.

Gallegos was credited with his fourth hold in a win over the Pirates on Saturday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded two strikeouts.

Gallegos got 10 of 16 pitches into the strike zone during an easy inning. The hard-throwing right-hander has now put together five consecutive scoreless efforts, a span during which he's notched two holds and recorded a save.

Strahm (knee) has been rehabbing in Arizona but remains without an established timeframe to return, Bill Center of FriarWire reports.

Strahm is currently on the 60-day injured list after undergoing knee surgery during the offseason. He is expected to rejoin the team sometime this summer but still has many steps to take before that can happen. "The last couple of weeks, the knee has been better and bouncing back better. He's taking steps forward. No timeline quite yet. He has to do some pitching," manager Jayce Tingler explained Saturday.

Vesia (0-1) took the loss against Milwaukee on Saturday, completing one inning and allowing four runs (two earned) on four walks while striking out two.

The left-hander was recalled from the team's alternate training site earlier in the day and was promptly put into a pressure situation, getting the call in the 10th inning with LA up by a run. Vesia walked the first two batters he faced before yielding a run on a sacrifice fly, but he was able to prevent further damage by striking out the final batter of the frame. After the Dodgers got two runs in the top of the 11th, Vesia returned for the bottom of the frame and again walked the first two batters before he was replaced. Overall, the 25-year-old threw only 14 of 34 pitches for strikes, which is certainly not a recipe for success.

Kimbrel worked around two hits to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and record the save in Saturday's win over the Reds. He struck out two.

Kimbrel had a rocky start to the bottom of the ninth, allowing consecutive singles to put runners on the corners, but the veteran reliever then struck out two hitters before ending the game on a Nick Castellanos groundout. Kimbrel has been excellent so far, as he now has five saves in as many chances to go along with a perfect 0.00 ERA. He should have a fairly firm grip on the closer role moving forward.

Neris (1-3) took the loss Saturday as the Phillies fell 5-4 to the Mets, allowing one run on one hit and striking out one in an inning of relief.

Called on with the score tied 4-4 in the top of the ninth, the Phillies' closer served up a solo shot to Michael Conforto on the second pitch he threw. Neris has seen a heavy workload so far, appearing in 14 of the team's first 27 games, and he was pitching for the third time in four days Saturday. Despite the setback, he still carries a 2.13 ERA and 15:3 K:BB through 12.2 innings while converting five of six save chances to begin the year.