MLB Player News

Jansen picked up the save in a victory over the Mets on Thursday, getting the last four outs of the game (two by strikeout) and allowing only one baserunner on a controversial hit-by-pitch call.

Jansen was called upon to protect a one-run lead with a runner on base and two outs in the eighth inning and promptly struck out pinch hitter Dominic Smith to end the threat. After the Dodgers added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning, Jansen retired three of the final four batters to close out the game in spite of the questionable hit-by-pitch call that put the tying run on base. After a string of April appearances in which Jansen gave up an earned run in five of seven appearances, he has now held opponents scoreless in nine of his last 10 outings to lower his season ERA to 3.33. He ranks second in the National League with 16 saves.

Strop (hamstring) pitched a 1-2-3 inning at Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, and he has now tossed two scoreless innings with a hit allowed and a strikeout across two rehab outings.

Strop has been efficient in his two outings as well, needing just 13 pitches to get through the two innings. The Cubs originally planned for the righty reliever to make two rehab appearances, so his next time pitching could come at the MLB level. Strop last pitched for the Cubs on May 6.

Hudson (4-3) allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks while striking out four across six innings to earn the win Thursday against the Phillies.

Hudson's chief blemish came in the fourth inning, when he allowed two of the first three batters he faced to reach base, though he escaped major damage. His skills weren't fantastic as he started only nine of the 23 batters he faced with a strike and generated only seven swinging strikes. Still, he worked efficiently -- needing only 82 pitches to record 18 outs -- and has now turned in four consecutive quality starts. He'll need to improve on his 4.10 BB/9 to maintain these strong results, with his next chance scheduled to come Wednesday against Cincinnati.

Hicks didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to record the save Thursday against the Phillies.

Hicks needed only eight pitches to shut down the Phillies and earn his 11th save of the season. It was a nice bounce-back effort from his last outing, in which he allowed three earned runs in the top of the ninth inning to squander the Cardinals' lead. While he has a bloated 4.00 ERA, he hasn't allowed a run in nine of his last 11 appearances.

Smith threw a scoreless ninth inning while not allowing a baserunner to earn the save Thursday against the Marlins.

Smith was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead and had little trouble doing so, needing just nine pitches to close out the game. The lefty now has 13 saves on the campaign, though this was his first since May 19. He's also contributed a strong 2.49 ERA and 0.74 WHIP, while generating 30 strikeouts across 21.2 innings this season.

Clarke didn't factor into the decision against the Rockies on Thursday, giving up five earned runs on four hits over two innings, striking out three and walking two as the Diamondbacks eventually fell 11-10.

Clarke had performed well in his other two big-league starts this season, but he couldn't keep it going at Coors Field as the Rockies tagged him for five earned before chasing him after just two innings and 55 pitches. The outing shoots the right-hander's ERA up to 5.19 and his WHIP to 1.33 to go along with an 11:5 K:BB over 17.1 innings.

Diaz won't be available to pitch Thursday against the Dodgers due to rest purposes, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Diaz has pitched each of the last two nights, so he'll be shut down Thursday to rest. He's coming off an ugly outing Wednesday when he blew a three-run lead, but he'll have to wait at least one more night to redeem himself. The Mets currently don't have another reliever on the 25-man roster with a save on the season, though Jeurys Familia or Robert Gsellman could be called upon if a save situation arises.

Beede allowed just one run on five hits and three walks in six innings while striking out four Thursday, but he didn't factor into the decision versus the Marlins. Beede will remain in the rotation for another start, which will likely come next week against the Mets, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old impressed in his return to the rotation and will stick in the big-league rotation for at least one more turn. With the Giants lacking viable alternatives, Beede could solidify his spot as the team's fifth starter if he continues to hold his own.

Cabrera is expected to remain in the Cardinals' rotation, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals have yet to officially announce their pitching plans beyond this weekend. However, it sounds like Cabrera will remain in the mix for the time being after debuting against the Phillies earlier in the week, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings while striking out five. That said, with Alex Reyes stretching out in the minors, Cabrera may only be given a few more opportunities to prove he deserves to remain in the rotation long-term.

The Giants optioned Jerez to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

He'll surrender his spot on the active roster to Tyler Beede, who was recalled from Triple-A ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Marlins. Jerez's stay with the big club lasted just one day and didn't include a relief appearance.