MLB Player News

Axford (leg) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

This will mark Axford's first time back on a mound in a live game since Aug. 12. He's spent the last month on the disabled list due to a fractured right fibula. The right-hander should be able to return to the big-league bullpen at some point next week as long as all goes according to plan.

Wilson figures to move up in the bullpen pecking order and could get some save opportunities with Pedro Strop (hamstring) expected to miss a few weeks.

Wilson has had a nice season to date, compiling a 2.92 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 67 strikeouts across 52.1 innings. As the top lefty in Chicago's bullpen, Wilson is likely to be used whenever the matchups are most advantageous rather than in a strict ninth-inning role, but he could still get a few saves here and there down the stretch. Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards Jr. and Brandon Kintzler also profile as potential replacements for Strop.

Pivetta has been hurt by his defense more than any other pitcher in baseball this season, Mark Simon of The Athletic reports.

Pivetta's defense has cost him 24 runs this year, seven more than the second-unluckiest pitcher (Noah Syndergaard). That's no surprise, as the Phillies' defense has been quite poor throughout the season, but Pivetta has been saddled with 10 runs more than any other pitcher in the Philadelphia rotation due to that subpar glovework. The poor defense shows up when looking at his FIP, which, at a solid 3.78, is far better than his 4.64 ERA. The difference between those two figures is the third highest in baseball, behind only Jon Gray and Zack Godley. While there's no reason to believe that the defense behind Pivetta will change over his final few starts, there's perhaps reason to believe he has more dynasty value than his surface stats reveal. He could be a sleeper in drafts next season, especially if the Phillies improve their defense over the offseason.

Vizcaino (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day disabled list Friday.

Vizcaino has been out since mid-July with right shoulder inflammation. Prior to the injury, he had posted a stellar 1.65 ERA with 15 saves in 33 appearances. It remains to be seen whether or not he'll immediately retake his closer position or if he'll have to fight A.J. Minter for it. Minter has been a capable deputy, posting a 3.36 ERA while saving 14 games, though he has a 7.71 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP over his last seven appearances. Luiz Gohara (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day disabled list in a corresponding move.

Edwards allowed one run on one hit and a walk in two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Nationals.

After retiring the first two batters he faced in the seventh inning, Edwards walked Victor Robles and then gave up a double to Trea Turner to squander the lead. Pedro Strop suffered a hamstring injury later in the game and is expected to miss multiple weeks, leaving the ninth inning open in Chicago. While Edwards had posted a minuscule 0.75 ERA in his last 16 appearances entering play Thursday, he had more walks (11) than strikeouts (10) in that span and that wildness and volatility may prevent him from getting the first look in Strop's absence.

Gsellman (6-2) picked up his 11th save of the season in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Marlins. He allowed one walk and collected one strikeout.

Gsellman allowed a two-out walk to Derek Dietrich, but it was an otherwise perfect inning of work. He's now picked up three saves in the month of September, but he's also allowed at least one earned run in four of his last six appearances. His ERA sits at 4.03 with 66 strikeouts over 76 innings this season.

Brigham (0-2) took the loss in Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Mets on Thursday. He allowed three earned runs, five hits and one walk over 4.1 innings while striking out two.

Brigham was making the second start of his major-league career, and he wasn't able to get out of the fifth inning after allowing all three runs in that frame. The sample size is small, but he's now allowed five earned runs with five walks and four strikeouts over 7.1 innings in his two starts this season. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Nationals, if he sticks in the rotation.

Strop (hamstring) is expected to miss a few weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in Thursday's game against the Nationals, Eddie Matz of ESPN.com reports.

Strop is scheduled for an MRI on Friday, and although the severity of the injury is yet to be confirmed, the 33-year-old believes he'll need the next few weeks to rest and rehab before taking the hill again. The Cubs will likely turn to a closer-by-committee approach down the stretch of the season. Carl Edwards Jr., Steve Cishek, Justin Wilson and Brandon Kintzler are all candidates for save opportunities in that scenario.

Strop exited Thursday's game against the Nationals with left hamstring soreness, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Strop suffered the injury while running to first base, and the issue is expected to keep him out for a while according to manager Joe Maddon. The timetable for Strop's return is unclear, but his availability moving forward should be determined after undergoing further tests.

Strop appeared to injure his left hamstring while running to first base during Thursday's game against Washington, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Strop batted for himself in the top of the 10th inning, and he injured himself while trying to beat the throw at first base after hitting a groundball. The severity of the injury has yet to be uncovered, but more news should emerge following the game.