MLB Player News

Barraclough was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with radial nerve irritation in his right forearm.

Barraclough allowed three runs on three hits while recording only one out Saturday, and the forearm issue could help explain his struggles. The 29-year-old currently has no timeline for his return but will be eligible to be activated June 26.

Stephenson (neck) was activated off the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Stephenson landed on the IL with the neck strain at the end of May and made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Louisville to clear the way for his activation. The 26-year-old has a 3.96 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB through 25 innings this season.

Jansen (2-2) took the loss and blew his third save of the season in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Cubs, giving up two runs on one hit in the ninth inning while striking out two.

After hitting Kris Bryant with his first pitch, Jansen then threw a 2-0 cutter to Anthony Rizzo that wound up in the right-field bleachers. The Dodgers closer had converted eight straight save chances prior to Saturday and hadn't allowed a run in over a month, so chalk this one up to just one of those nights. Jansen still boasts a 3.45 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 42:5 K:BB through 28.2 innings on the year.

Strop walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his eighth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Dodgers.

The right-hander has now converted four straight save opportunities, and Strop will continue to hold down the fort as the Cubs' closer until Craig Kimbrel is ready to join the roster -- a move that seems a week or so away from happening.

Jackson (3-2) gave up two unearned runs on two hits in the ninth inning Saturday to blow his sixth save of the season and get saddled with the loss as Atlanta fell 6-5 to the Phillies.

The error that made the runs unearned was his own -- after allowing a leadoff single to Scott Kingery, Jackson threw wide of first base on Sean Rodriguez's sacrifice bunt -- so it's hard to call the blown save undeserved. The right-hander has now botched four of his last eight save opportunities, and with A.J. Minter back and Anthony Swarzak pitching well since his acquisition, Jackson's leash as closer could be very short.

Neris worked a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 15th save of the season in a 6-5 win over Atlanta.

He needed only seven pitches (five strikes) to dispatch the top of Atlanta's order. It was a nice bounceback performance by Neris after he blew his first save of the season Friday, and he now sports a 2.67 ERA and 41:10 K:BB through 30.1 innings.

Ponce de Leon is a candidate to make another start Wednesday in place of Adam Wainwright (hamstring), Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ponce de Leon worked four innings in a spot start Friday, allowing a run on two hits and four walks while recording three strikeouts. The fact the 27-year-old wasn't sent back down to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday following Friday's doubleheader keeps him firmly in the conversation for the assignment, as does manager Mike Shildt's comment that Ponce de Leon "did a lot to help his cause" with his outing. A final decision on Wednesday's starter should be imminent, and it's worth noting that fellow prospect Alex Reyes is also considered a viable option to get a callup from the Redbirds.

Leone, who was called up from Triple-A Memphis as the 26th man for Friday's doubleheader, was sent back down to the Redbirds on Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander ultimately wasn't utilized in the twin bill, and he'll now continue to toil away for Memphis. Leone has struggled at both the Triple-A and major-league levels this season, so he could well spend most of the balance of the campaign in the minors trying to right the ship.

Diaz allowed one run on three hits in the ninth inning to earn the save in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Cardinals. He had one strikeout and zero walks.

Jeff McNeil cut down the tying run at the plate to finish the game, preventing Diaz from being charged with his second straight blown save. The 25-year-old converted his first 12 saves of the season but since that point has given up eight runs across nine innings and is 3-for-6 in save opportunities.

Smith grabbed his 18th save of the season Saturday against the Brewers, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two batters over one inning.

Smith entered with a two-run lead in the top of the ninth and wound up needing the insurance run. After a pair of strikeouts to start the inning, he gave up a homer to Christian Yelich to bring the game within one run. He shut the door following a Ryan Braun single and has now saved 18 of the Giants' 30 wins. According to Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area, manager Bruce Bochy said Smith won't be available for Sunday's series finale after throwing four of the last five days. Reyes Moronta and Mark Melancon are likely candidates should a save opportunity arise Sunday.