MLB Player News

Ponce de Leon was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Ponce de Leon has made three starts for the Cardinals this season, allowing just two runs in 15 innings. He appears to be up as a reliever this time around.

The Cardinals placed Hicks (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

The transaction was fully expected after Hicks underwent an MRI on Monday that confirmed he was dealing with a torn UCL. The Cardinals have yet to decide on a treatment method for Hicks, but the flamethrower will likely be in store for an extended absence even if he forgoes Tommy John surgery and instead chooses to address the ligament damage with rest and rehab and/or platelet-rich plasma and stem-cell injections. Over the weekend, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak tabbed John Gant as Hicks' most likely replacement as the Cardinals' closer, though Carlos Martinez could enter the mix for save chances as well.

Hultzen debuted with Triple-A Iowa on June 16 and has struck out three over 1.2 scoreless innings through his first two relief appearances with the affiliate.

The second overall pick in the 2011 first-year player draft, Hultzen was a prized arm in the Seattle organization until a string of shoulder injuries derailed his career. Though he's logged just 28.2 total innings in affiliated ball since 2013, Hultzen said his shoulder finally feels good again, with Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune relaying that the left-hander has regained the mid-90s fastball he displayed during his amateur days at Virginia. Hultzen will still need to find regular success at Triple-A and prove he can bounce back from appearances without any renewed discomfort in his shoulder before any talk of a promotion to the Cubs gains serious traction.

Mantiply (elbow) is back in action at Triple-A Louisville after missing the 2018 season following Tommy John surgery. He has pitched in three games there, posting a 4.50 ERA over four innings.

Mantiply isn't on the 40-man roster or even considered a big prospect. He had a brief taste of the majors in his age-25 season with the Tigers in 2016. In many ways he represents the grind that the vast majority of minor leaguers go through, hoping to get another look at the majors.

Davidson tossed six scoreless innings for Double-A Mississippi on Monday, scattering three hits and three walks while striking out six.

The 23-year-old lefty doesn't have a big prospect pedigree after being a 19th-round pick in 2016, but Davidson has been borderline dominant this year in his first crack at the high minors. He leads the Southern League with a 1.48 ERA, and his 78:35 K:BB through 73 innings and stingy 0.37 HR/9 suggest that isn't entirely the product of good luck. Davidson's control remains a work in progress, which could eventually relegate him to the bullpen if it doesn't improve, but he can touch 95 mph with his fastball and features three potentially average or better offspeed pitches. In an Atlanta system deep in pitching, he's been largely overlooked, but Davidson could have a future in a big-league rotation.

Pomeranz (2-8) took the loss against the Rockies on Monday, giving up two earned runs on five hits over five innings, striking out 11 and walking two in the Giants' 2-0 defeat.

Pomeranz bounced back from a seven-run blowup in his last start with a sharp effort, notching his first double-digit strikeout performance of the season, but he was outdueled by Jon Gray and wound up taking his eighth loss of the season. It's been an erratic season for the left-hander, as he's sporting a 6.79 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP through 58.1 innings. He lines up to take on the Diamondbacks in his next start at home on Saturday.

Edwards (back) threw from 120 feet Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Edwards continues to slowly work his way back from a left thoracic strain that has kept him sidelined since June 10. Barring setbacks, the right-hander should be cleared to resume mound work in the near future, at which point a timetable for his return could become clearer.

Rodney will be promoted from Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

Rodney is set to join the Nationals after spending the past three weeks with Fresno, compiling a 3.38 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 11:8 K:BB across eight innings with the Grizzlies. Prior to latching on with Washington, the veteran reliever was cut loose by the A's after struggling to a 9.42 ERA, 2.23 WHIP and 14:12 K:BB in 14.1 innings.

Robertson (elbow) could throw a light bullpen session Wednesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Robertson has been playing catch for nearly two weeks, but reports from just two days ago suggested that he was at least 10 days away from throwing a bullpen session. It appears that he may be several days ahead of that schedule, but given that he's already been out for over two months, it's hard to see him returning until after the All-Star break.

De Los Santos was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

De Los Santos was up for just one spot start and failed to impress, allowing four runs in four innings Sunday against the Marlins. Fernando Salas' contract was selected in a corresponding move.