MLB Player News

Wilson will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Thursday against the Cubs, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Wilson will take the rotation spot of Mike Foltynewicz, who was sent to the minors after struggling through his first 11 starts. The 21-year-old Wilson owns a solid 3.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 79:16 K:BB across 78.1 innings with Gwinnett, though he hasn't fared as well in the majors (8.31 ERA, 2.08 WHIP and 4:4 K:BB in 4.1 innings with the Braves).

Kimbrel will join the Cubs ahead of Thursday's series finale against the Braves, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Kimbrel is ready to make his long-awaited 2019 big-league debut after completing his fourth appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, striking out two across a perfect ninth inning. It's unclear if Kimbrel will immediately take over closer duties, but he should get there soon enough.

Hicks underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Paletta and went off without a hitch. Hicks will be sidelined for the remainder of the season and most, if not all, of next year following the procedure. In the meantime, Carlos Martinez is expected to assume ninth-inning duties in Hicks' absence.

Nelson threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's loss to the Mariners.

Nelson kept the Mariners off the scoreboard, but he was not particularly sharp, throwing 47 pitches over his two frames and allowing six runners to reach base. He will continue pitching in relief for the time being while trying to work out the kinks following his extended absence due to the shoulder injury he suffered late in the 2017 campaign.

Rodney walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning during Tuesday's win over the Marlins.

The Nats were up 6-1 when Rodney got the call, so this was far from a high-leverage spot. The 42-year-old was having serious trouble finding the strike zone consistently with Oakland prior to getting released, so expect him to be confined to mop-up duty with Washington unless he can prove he's more reliable than his 8.80 ERA and 2.15 WHIP suggest.

Young will be called up from Triple-A Reno to start Thursday against the Giants, Julia Stumbaugh and Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic report.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed the left-handed Young will be ticketed for the big-league rotation for the series finale. Young has made eight starts in the Pacific Coast League this season, posting a 5.79 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 32.2 innings. Arizona is desperate for starting pitching, and Thursday's outing will present an opportunity for the 25-year-old Young to be part of the rotation going forward until Luke Weaver (forearm) is ready to return.

Smith picked up the save with a spotless ninth inning against Colorado on Tuesday, striking out two.

Smith was called upon to protect a two-run lead and once again delivered, needing only 11 pitches to set down the middle of Colorado's lineup in order. That makes 21 straight save conversions to begin the year for Smith, who now owns a 1.95 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 13.6 K/9. He remains a prime candidate to be traded, however, which could potentially move him to a setup role.

Jansen posted his 23rd save of the season, striking out one and allowing one hit during the ninth inning of a 3-2 victory against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

The veteran closer had to work to earn this save, as he threw 27 pitches, but Jansen has now saved 11 of his last 12 opportunities. During that stretch, he owns a 1.65 ERA. Jansen has registered 23 saves with a 3.21 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 33.2 innings this season.

Neris delivered 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save Tuesday against the Mets. He had two strikeouts and allowed one hit and one walk.

Neris recorded the final out of the eighth inning with the tying run on second base, and he also escaped in the ninth with the tying run on first after giving up a double and a walk. The 30-year-old is 16-for-17 in save opportunities this season and has a 2.48 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 45:11 K:BB through 32.2 innings.

Alzolay allowed one earned run on one hit and four walks while striking out four across 4.2 innings Tuesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.

Alzolay allowed a home run to Ronald Acuna on his first pitch of the contest, the only hit he surrendered throughout his start. He was dominant through four innings thereafter, allowing only one baserunner who reached via a free pass. However, things fell apart in the fifth frame as he walked three of the five batters he faced, including opposing pitcher Max Fried, prior to being pulled. Alzolay didn't show significant issues with his control during his time in the minor leagues, though he now has issued six walks in 8.2 innings of work through two major-league appearances. He'll look to improve that in his next outing, currently scheduled to be a start at Pittsburgh on Monday.