MLB Player News

Melancon (1-0) picked up the win after tossing a perfect ninth inning against the Blue Jays on Thursday.

The right-hander came into a tied game in the ninth and held Toronto scoreless, giving Nick Markakis the opportunity to walk it off for the Atlanta victory. Melancon has a pair of saves on the season and has yet to allow a run across four appearances.

Kelly's hearing to appeal his eight-game suspension has been moved to Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

It was previously reported that a decision regarding Kelly's appeal was expected by week's end, but it now looks like any announcement regarding the reliever's status will have to wait until at least early next week. As a result, Kelly should remain eligible to pitch for the entirety of the weekend series against the Giants.

Ponce de Leon will start Friday's game against the Cubs, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

In the Cardinals' first game back on the field since their long layoff, Ponce de Leon will take the mound since he was the most recent starter to pitch. In order to preserve the pitching staff's long-term health, manager Mike Shildt elected to push Jack Flaherty's start back to Sunday or Monday. Ponce de Leon has made two appearances (one start) for St. Louis to begin the season, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out eight over four innings.

De Leon was recalled from the Reds' alternate training site Thursday.

De Leon wasn't part of the Reds' 40-man roster while working with the team during summer camp, but he'll join the major-league bullpen after Brooks Raley was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. The right-hander returned to the mound in 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018. However, he pitched just four innings in the majors with the Rays, posting a 2.25 ERA and 7:3 K:BB during that time. Given his small sample in the big leagues in past seasons, De Leon should occupy a lower-leverage role in the bullpen.

Raley was designated for assignment by the Reds on Thursday.

Raley made his return to the majors this season after spending the past five seasons in Korea, but he was inconsistent across four relief appearances with the Reds. Although he pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout Wednesday against Cleveland, the southpaw will be removed from the 40-man roster. Raley recorded a 9.00 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB over four innings as a reliever this year. Right-hander Jose De Leon was recalled from the Reds' alternate training site to take Raley's place in the bullpen.

Rusin cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Braves' alternate training site Thursday.

Rusin was designated for assignment by the Braves on Tuesday after spending just three days on the active roster, but he'll remain in the organization. The southpaw struggled in his only appearance in the majors this year, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings. Given his struggles to limit run production over time in the big leagues during the past three seasons, it wouldn't be surprising to see him spend the rest of the season at the alternate training site.

Lamet is expected to make his next start Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

San Diego hasn't officially announced its rotation plans for the weekend, but comments from starter Garrett Richards suggest that manager Jayce Tingler will use Thursday's off day to rearrange the pitching order. With Joey Lucchesi being bumped off Friday's start, he'll presumably be pushed to the back of the rotation schedule, which would allow Lamet to pick up his second start of the week. Lamet previously took a no-decision Tuesday against the Dodgers, working 5.2 innings and striking out two while giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks.

Kolarek was optioned to the Dodgers' satellite camp Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Kolarek has made four appearances for the Dodgers this season, compiling three strikeouts and two wins across 3.1 scoreless innings. The southpaw figures to rejoin the big-league bullpen when a fresh reliever is needed.

Patino tossed two innings in relief against the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out two.

Patino retired reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger to begin his major-league career; however, the following two batters singled and Joc Pederson followed with a three-run home run to extend the Dodgers' lead. Patino bounced back by retiring the final five batters he faced, but the damage was enough to spoil the prospect's debut.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Holmes has yet to resume throwing while continuing to experience "some mild symptoms" of a strained right forearm, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates aren't anticipating an overly lengthy absence for Holmes, but he'll be sidelined for more than the minimum amount of time after he was placed on the 10-day injured list July 28. Once he's back throwing again, Holmes may only need about a week to get his arm conditioned for middle-relief duty out of the Pittsburgh bullpen.