MLB Player News

Ponce de Leon will likely be called up as the Cardinals' 29th man and start Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Twins, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ponce de Leon spent just over a week at the Cardinals' alternate training site, but he'll likely make a brief appearance in the majors to start the second half of Tuesday's twin bill. The right-hander has struggled over five appearances (four starts) as he carries a 7.82 ERA and 1.89 WHIP over 12.2 innings.

The Phillies recalled Brogdon from their alternate training site Monday.

The Phillies will add Brogdon to their bullpen as a replacement for Mauricio Llovera, who was unlikely to be available for at least a couple days after giving up four runs in a 41-pitch seventh inning in Sunday's 14-1 loss to the Mets. Brogdon previously made three relief appearances for the big club this season, working 2.2 innings and surrendering five runs on four hits -- including three home runs -- while walking three.

The Phillies optioned Llovera to their alternate training site ahead of Monday's series finale with the Mets.

Philadelphia called up reliever Connor Brogdon to join the bullpen as a replacement for Llovera, who was lit up in his big-league debut in Sunday's 14-1 loss. He needed 41 pitches to complete the seventh inning, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk along the way.

The Cubs list Alzolay as their scheduled starter for Thursday's series finale with the Reds, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay struggled in a spot start Saturday in a doubleheader with the Cardinals, giving up two runs on two hits and five walks over 2.2 innings. He was sent to the Cubs' alternate site afterward, but the team will give him at least one more chance to make a positive impression at the big-league level. Because Thursday's game will come less than 10 days after his demotion, the Cubs would likely need to place a player on the injured list in a corresponding move to facilitate Alzolay's return to the 28-man active roster. Chicago's rotation is a bit thin at the moment with both Jose Quintana (lat) and Tyler Chatwood (forearm) on the shelf, so the club could really benefit if Alzolay pitches well. After Thursday, the Cubs wouldn't need a fifth starter again until Sept. 22, so Alzolay could be headed back to the alternate site following the outing versus the Reds.

Pomeranz earned the hold in Sunday's win over Oakland, pitching one scoreless inning, allowing one walk and striking out two.

With Trevor Rosenthal now in the fold and performing well for San Diego, Pomeranz may settle back into a full-time role as the team's primary setup man. The left-hander last picked up a save Aug. 11 against the Dodgers, though he spent 10 days on the injured list in late August. Regardless of the inning in which he's pitched, Pomeranz has been dominant in 2020, holding opponents scoreless over 13 appearances (12 innings) while registering a 17:5 K:BB. He has four saves to go along with six holds and has posted a 0.67 WHIP.

Ferguson (2-1) gave up two runs on three hits and a walk and struck out two in one inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Rockies.

Ferguson allowed a two-run homer to Matt Kemp in the eighth inning, and the Dodgers were unable to cover that damage. The 24-year-old Ferguson was also charged with a blown save, his second of the year. He's amassed four holds with a 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 23:3 K:BB across 16.1 innings.

Almonte (3-0) pitched a perfect seventh inning and struck out one, earning the win Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Almonte entered the gave with the Rockies down a run, but Matt Kemp's two-run homer in the eighth gave them a one-run lead. The 26-year-old Almonte has had a solid year, with a 3.05 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 19 strikeouts across 20.2 innings this season. He's also added a save and three holds.

Bard allowed two walks and struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Dodgers.

Bard needed 26 pitches to navigate the outing, but he was able to record a save for the second consecutive game. The right-hander now has a 3.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB across 18 innings this season. He seems to have strengthened his grasp on the closer role -- both Carlos Estevez and Mychal Givens pitched before Bard in Sunday's contest.

Antone allowed one run on five hits and two walks across five innings during Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Pirates. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

It marked the strongest outing of the season for Antone, who has both started and pitched out of the bullpen across eight appearances. His lone blemish was a two-out RBI single by Bryan Reynolds in the third. The right-hander was in line to get the first win of his career, but Raisel Iglesias blew the save in the ninth inning. It's unclear if Antone will get another start or if he'll return to a relief role going forward.

Antone allowed one run on five hits and two walks across five innings during Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Pirates. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

It marked the strongest outing of the season Antone, who has both started and pitched out of the bullpen across eight appearances. His lone blemish was a two-out RBI single by Bryan Reynolds in the third. The right-hander was in line to get his first-career win, but had to settle for a no-decision after Raisel Iglesias blew the save in the ninth. It's unclear if Antone will get another start or if he'll return to a relief role going forward.