MLB Player News

Helsley was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

He threw two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's game, but the Cardinals will opt to churn the last bullpen spot, bringing up Tyler Webb in a corresponding move. We should see Helsley back up in the majors again when the team has a need of a fresh reliever.

Manager Torey Lovullo acknowledged Clarke's struggles are an "obvious concern," Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Clarke has not registered a quality start in any of his past eight starts, posting an 8.20 ERA while lasting only five innings twice during that stretch. Lovullo appears willing to cut the right-hander some slack after Friday's poor outing because it was his first start back following a two-week stay on the injured list, but the manager did not immediately confirm his stay in the rotation. He will make his next start Wednesday. "We're going to be paying close attention to that spot, for sure," Lovullo said. Jon Duplantier, who was activated off the injured list and will build up innings as a starter at Triple-A Reno, could eventually return to Arizona and take Clarke's spot in the rotation.

Hernandez (1-4) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning Saturday. He took the loss as the Marlins fell 10-6 to the Dodgers.

Hernandez entered after the Marlins tied the game at 6-6 in the top of the eighth inning, but the reliever got into a jam and allowed a three-run homer to Matt Beaty and an RBI single to pinch hitter Russell Martin before Tayron Guerrero was summoned for the final out of the inning. Hernandez has allowed six runs over 4.2 innings since moving to the bullpen. The ugly outing raised his ERA to 5.24 in 35 innings this season, spanning 12 appearances (five starts).

Voth will not be able to make his start Sunday due to shoulder soreness, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Voth was set to take the rotation spot of Max Scherzer, who is also battling a shoulder injury, but he won't be able to take the mound Sunday. Instead, Joe Ross will draw the start against Atlanta.

Iglesias was activated from the paternity list but is not available to pitch Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Iglesias had been on paternity leave since Wednesday. He will almost certainly be called upon in any save opportunity as Michael Lorenzen pitched two scoreless innings to close Saturday's contest. Iglesias has managed a 3.92 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 52 strikeouts across 41.1 innings for the season.

Clarke will remain in the Diamondbacks' rotation and is likely to start Wednesday against the Orioles, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Clarke was hit hard in his return from the injured list Friday, lasting only 3.2 innings while surrendering four earned runs to the Brewers. While he may have been rusty after spending two weeks on the injured list with back tightness, he has failed to record a quality start in any of his last eight outings and has lasted five innings just twice in that span. He'll remain in the Diamondbacks rotation for now, but Jon Duplantier could be a candidate to replace him in the coming weeks.

Alexander remains shut down with nerve and thumb issues, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Alexander has been out with left forearm inflammation since mid-June. He appeared to be close to a rehab assignment in late June before he was shut down with a thumb-related setback. It's not clear whether the nerve issue is an updated diagnosis for the forearm injury or if it's a third problem.

Voth is dealing with shoulder soreness and may not be able to make his scheduled start Sunday in Atlanta, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

Voth owns a 4.35 ERA in four starts for the Nationals this season. If he's unable to take the mound, Joe Ross is the primary candidate to take his place.

Kimbrel worked around two walks to throw a scoreless ninth inning and record the save Saturday against the Padres.

Kimbrel hit a couple bumps in the road immediately upon arrival to Chicago, but he has been pretty much his old self since, allowing just one hit while going 5-for-5 in save chances in his last six appearances. The veteran has now worked back-to-back days and four of the last five, so he will likely be unavailable Sunday.

Morejon will be recalled to open Sunday's game against the Cubs, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Padres' official announcement lists Morejon as the starter, but the expectation remains that he'll be used in the opener role, according to Acee. That would match his usage at Double-A Amarillo, where he's been the first pitcher for his team in all 16 of his appearances but hasn't been asked to pitch more than three innings since mid-April and has only gone longer than two innings once during that stretch. Expect him to turn the ball over to Cal Quantrill after a frame or two Sunday.