MLB Player News

Webb, who fired 1.2 scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a loss to the Marlins on Wednesday, has a 1.50 ERA, .100 WHIP and .132 BAA in the 12 innings covering his last 10 appearances.

The southpaw has been much improved after a rocky start to the season, one that saw his ERA sitting at 6.55 after a May 16 outing against the Braves. Webb has whittled that figure down to 3.91 over the aforementioned stretch of strong pitching, allowing just a pair of earned runs on five hits during that span. His continued success would be a boon for the fortunes of the Cardinals bullpen, considering Webb is only one of two healthy left-handed relievers available to manager Mike Shildt at present.

Hader threw a scoreless 10th inning in Wednesday's 14-inning victory over the Astros.

Manager Craig Counsell may have envisioned Hader pitching two innings Wednesday if needed, but Hader was not particularly sharp, walking two batters and failing to record a strikeout for just the second time in 26 appearances this season. Regardless, Hader got the job done, and lowered his ERA to 2.14 in the process. He remains the closer for the Brewers.

Yamamoto (1-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 9-0 victory over the Cardinals, giving up three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings while striking out five.

It was a dazzling MLB debut for the right-hander. Yamamoto chiefly ran into trouble in the fourth inning, as a Paul DeJong double and Paul Goldschmidt single put runners on the corners with nobody out, but the rookie calmly got Marcell Ozuna to foul out before coaxing a double play out of Yadier Molina. Yamamoto's big-league assignment is likely temporary, with neither Caleb Smith (hip) nor Jose Urena (back) expected to be out for long, but he should get at least one more turn in the rotation -- a rematch with the Cards in St. Louis on Monday.

Helsley is expected to be placed on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement after exiting Wednesday's loss to the Marlins, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Helsley will be traveling with the team to New York to be examined by Dr. George Paletta, but that evaluation is expected to reveal that his throwing shoulder will need some time off. Prior to being pulled, Helsley had thrown 13 pitches during a sixth inning in which he saw his velocity take a dip, a red flag that was a harbinger of his shoulder issue. "It's not really painful, I just couldn't really get loose," said Helsley, who has a 3.48 ERA in seven big league appearances in 2019. "Obviously my velo was down a little bit, which always raises concerns. Take a couple days off and go from there."

Smith picked up the save against the Padres on Wednesday, firing a scoreless ninth inning and allowing a hit and a walk while recording a strikeout.

Smith faltered ever so slightly, but he managed to keep his unblemished save record intact. The 29-year-old is in the midst of an extended stretch of impressive pitching, as he hasn't allowed a run since May 18 against the Diamondbacks. The top-tier closer now owns a shiny 2.03 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 38:6 K:BB through 27 appearances.

Curtiss signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Wednesday, Roster Roundup reports.

Curtiss declined an assignment to Triple-A Salt Lake last week after being designated for assignment by the Angels. The 26-year-old struggled with a 5.91 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB over 21.1 innings with the Bees prior to hitting free agency.

Strahm (ribs) is scheduled to be activated off the 10-day injured list to start Thursday at Colorado, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Strahm landed on the IL with the rib strain after his last start June 2 and will return to the Friars after spending the 10-day minimum on the shelf. The 27-year-old has a 4.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 56:11 K:BB through 60.1 innings this season.

Burdi (biceps) played catch Wednesday, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Burdi has been shut down from throwing since suffering a strained biceps tendon back in mid-April, so this is a step in the right direction for the right-hander. That said, it remains to be seen when he'll be cleared to resume mound work, leaving him without a return date.

Ponce de Leon will start Friday against the Mets, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

As expected, Ponce de Leon will join the rotation Friday in place of the injured Adam Wainwright (hamstring). The 27-year-old looked good in a spot start against the Brewers earlier in the season, allowing just one run on two hits and three walks while striking out seven across five innings of work. Ponce de Leon could stick in the rotation for more than one turn if he impresses, though nothing is guaranteed with Alex Reyes stretched out in the minors.

Robertson (elbow) played catch Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

This is an encouraging development for Robertson, who had been shut down from throwing for nearly a month prior to Tuesday's round of catch. The veteran reliever has been sidelined since April 15, so he'll need plenty of time to get back up to speed before the Phillies feel comfortable activating him. As such, a timetable for his return likely won't emerge until he ramps up his throwing program.