MLB Player News

Strop was charged with a blown save after giving up a run in the eighth inning during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

After recording the save Thursday, Strop entered in the seventh inning, walking one but getting a strikeout to get out of a jam. He faltered in the eighth, though, despite retiring the first two batters, as he allowed a single and a walk before a Yairo Munoz double tied the game up. It's notable that he was used before the ninth inning in a tight spot, which signals that for however long Brandon Morrow (biceps) is sidelined -- which isn't expected to be longer than another week or so -- the Cubs will use a closer committee that probably involves Strop, Steve Cishek and Carl Edwards.

Helsley (shoulder) is progressing through his throwing program and is expected back in a minor-league starting rotation soon, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Helsley has been sidelined since June 9 with what was termed "shoulder fatigue." He's 5-3 with a 4.12 ERA over 12 minor-league starts this year, including a 2-1 mark during his brief time with Triple-A Memphis. It remains to be seen whether Helsley will immediately return to the Redbirds, or whether he'll be eased back into action with Double-A Springfield, where he began the season.

Barraclough threw one inning Saturday in his return from an illness-related absence, and he worked around a solo home run to record his 10th save of the season. He struck out two.

The right-hander was too sick to pitch Friday but despite yielding a one-out big fly to Ji-Man Choi that made it interesting, Barraclough whiffed two and got Mallex Smith to fly out to end things. Barraclough has a 1.45 ERA and 10.2 K/9, but if Miami winds up trading him to a team that'll use him more often as a setup man, his fantasy value will take a significant hit.

Castillo (hamstring) will begin his rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A El Paso, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The right-hander was sent to the 10-day disabled list July 7 with a right hamstring strain and will initiate his rehab assignment in the Pacific Coast League. Castillo sports a 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 18 strikeouts and four walks in 12.2 innings during his ascension into a reliable relief role with the big club, and if all goes well, he should start building on those numbers as a Padre sometime in the coming week.

Sewald was called up to the majors Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Sewald has a 5.05 ERA in 41 innings for the Mets this season. His 24.1 percent strikeout rate and 7.5 percent walk rate are each solid, but he barely gets any grounders (27.1 percent). He'll fill the bullpen spot vacated by Jeurys Familia, who was traded to the Athletics on Saturday.

Bowman was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Bowman was shipped back to Memphis after pitching 1.2 innings of relief during Friday's victory. The right-hander also tossed an inning of work Thursday, and wound up allowing three earned runs off six hits over both of those outings. Look for him to return to the fold once the Cardinals need a replenishment in the bullpen.

Brebbia was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Brebbia will be available out of the bullpen for both games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs. Across 27 appearances with the Cardinals this year, he's logged a 4.13 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 32.2 innings of relief.

Chavez is with the Cubs for the team's Saturday doubleheader against the Cardinals, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Chavez was acquired by the Cubs on Thursday and figures to make his team debut soon in a long-relief role. Prior to arriving in Chicago, the 34-year-old righty had been having a nice season in Texas, tossing 56.1 innings in relief with a 3.51 ERA. With Brandon Morrow, Justin Hancock and Anthony Bass all currently on the disabled list, the Cubs' bullpen could certainly use a boost from Chavez.

Bass was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a back strain prior to Saturday's doubleheader against St. Louis, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Bass will be eligible to return July 31. The Cubs are officially calling his injury a "right mid-thoracic strain." In his place, Dillon Maples was called up from Triple-A Iowa.

Ottavino yielded an unearned run on two hits and a walk and notched a strikeout en route to recording his third save of the season Friday in the Rockies' 11-10 win over the Diamondbacks.

According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, regular closer Wade Davis was unavailable for the series opener due to a stomach ailment, paving the way for Ottavino to pick up the save chance. Though he has been one of baseball's top setup men this season, Ottavino was shaky upon being summoned with two outs in the eighth inning. He threw a wild pitch that allowed a run to score and then put back-to-back hitters on base before inducing an inning-ending popout. Then, with the Rockies holding a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and two men in scoring position, Ottavino needed a diving catch from center fielder Charlie Blackmon to rob Alex Avila of what would have been a game-tying base hit. Despite his less-than-sharp showing Friday, Ottavino should be the top choice to close if Davis requires a trip to the disabled list, though that isn't expected to be the case.