MLB Player News

Lucchesi threw a scoreless inning in Wednesday's 9-3 win over Atlanta, allowing no hits while striking out one.

Lucchesi threw eight of his 10 pitches for strikes, recording his 10th consecutive scoreless outing. During that span, the left-hander has allowed six hits and two walks while striking out 16 over 12 innings. Since joining the major-league roster from Triple-A Sacramento on June 15, the 32-year-old has posted a 1.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and a 17:2 K:BB across 14 innings in 13 appearances.

Kriske tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Royals. He allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one.

Kriske has now logged three scoreless appearances to begin his tenure with the Cubs, spanning five innings. The 31-year-old righty has bounced between the minors and majors during his career, and he's probably nothing more than organizational depth at this point. However, Kriske has pitched well, so it's possible he sticks around in Chicago and sees more meaningful relief work down the road.

Diaz struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings Wednesday to record his 21st save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Angels.

He did hit two batters with pitches, one in the eighth inning and one in the ninth, but Diaz immediately struck out the next hitter each time. The Mets closer hasn't given up a run since June 2, tossing 15 consecutive scoreless innings with a 22:3 K:BB while converting eight of nine save chances during that span.

The Nationals activated Ribalta (biceps) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester.

Ribalta has recovered from the right biceps strain that's kept him out since mid-April, but the Nationals have elected to keep him at Rochester, where he had been on a rehab assignment. The righty reliever should get another opportunity with the big club later on this season.

Faucher earned the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Padres, allowing one hit without recording a walk or strikeout over 1.2 scoreless innings.

Faucher was called upon with one out and the tying run aboard in the eighth, and he delivered a five-out save on just 22 pitches. It was an encouraging effort after the 29-year-old blew a save Friday and entered Wednesday having allowed six earned runs across his previous eight outings. On the season, he's 9-for-14 in save chances with a 4.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 37:16 K:BB across 38 innings as part of a closer committee with Ronny Henriquez and Anthony Bender.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Beeks (back) has a good chance at being cleared to face live hitters Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Beeks hasn't faced hitters since landing on the 15-day injured list just before the All-Star break with lower-back inflammation. It's unclear whether Beeks will need a rehab assignment before rejoining the Arizona bullpen.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that there's a good chance Miller (forearm/back) will face live hitters Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Miller threw 16 pitches to hitters Tuesday but cut the session short when his back tightened up on him. The back issue is considered minor, however, and Miller looks like he'll be back throwing after a couple days of rest. Miller initially went on the 15-day injured list in early July with a right forearm strain. A timetable for his return should become clearer if he gets through a throwing session Friday without any concerns.

An MRI on Casparius' right calf came back negative Wednesday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Casparius first felt his calf cramping while warming up prior to an appearance in Tuesday's 10-7 loss to the Twins and he was pulled after letting four straight batters reach base. While he doesn't have any structural damage and is expected to avoid the 15-day injured list, Casparius is likely to be unavailable to pitch for a few days.

Flexen surrendered five earned runs on seven hits and one walk while failing to record a strikeout over three innings of relief in Monday's 12-4 loss to the Royals.

Flexen made a four-inning start against the Yankees in his final appearance before the All-Star break July 11, but the Cubs shifted him back to the bullpen to begin the second half. He ended up being one of two bulk relievers the Cubs deployed behind opening pitcher Ryan Brasier on Monday, with Ben Brown giving up seven runs (six earned) in four innings before Flexen entered the contest in the top of the sixth. The Cubs still have a void in the rotation until Jameson Taillon (calf) returns from the injured list, so Flexen and/or Brown could be called upon to start or work in bulk relief the next time a fifth spot in the rotation comes up Sunday against the White Sox.

The Cardinals recalled Granillo from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

He will give manager Oliver Marmol a fresh relief arm after the bullpen was needed for five innings in Tuesday's loss to the Rockies. Granillo allowed one run with a 2:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings covering five appearances during his first stint with the big club.