MLB Player News

Poncedeleon struck out seven and allowed an unearned run on two hits and three walks over six innings in Triple-A Memphis' win over Omaha on Friday. He now sports a 2.70 ERA and .212 BAA across 83 innings with the Redbirds.

Despite getting passed up for a big-league spot start in late June, Poncedeleon remains one of the organization's brightest pitching prospects. The right-hander has bounced back from a life-threatening injury stemming from a line drive that careened off his skull last May to already receive one major-league callup this season. John Gant and Jack Flaherty continue to fill in effectively in the big-league starting rotation in the wake of injuries to Michael Wacha (oblique ) and Adam Wainwright (elbow), but Poncedeleon could certainly get another chance with the Cardinals at some point before the conclusion of the regular season.

Castillo was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Friday with a right hamstring strain.

Castillo last pitched Wednesday and allowed one run with a walk and no hits allowed over two-thirds of an inning. The 22-year-old has been stellar out of the Padres bullpen since he was promoted in early June, recording a 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 18 strikeouts and four walks across 12.2 innings.

Lopez was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday.

Lopez will add a little extra depth to the Brewers' bullpen after taking the place of Nate Orf on the active roster. Over seven appearances in the big leagues this season, he's posted a 3.65 ERA and 1.78 WHIP.

Edwards (shoulder), who was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list before Friday's game, struck out the only hitter he faced in a loss to the Reds.

Edwards got the call in the seventh inning against Adam Duvall and he made quick work of the outfielder on four pitches. He threw four fastballs clocked around 95 mph, which is right about where he's sat the last three seasons, so it appears he's fully recovered from the shoulder inflammation that had kept him out since late May. Expect the Cubs to increase his workload gradually moving forward.

Boxberger worked a perfect ninth inning to claim his 21st save of the season Friday in the Diamondbacks' 3-1 victory over the Padres.

After blowing saves in back-to-back appearances in late June, Boxberger has burnished his job security as the team's closer by converting his last five chances while allowing only one run on two hits and two walks over five innings. The 30-year-old's 4.6 BB/9 is still somewhat of an eyesore and may continue to inflate his WHIP, but it would likely take a prolonged string of hiccups in the ninth inning before Boxberger cedes closing duties to Archie Bradley or Yoshihisa Hirano.

Smith got the save against the Cardinals on Friday, striking out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to close out San Francisco's 3-2 victory.

The closer situation in San Francisco has been uncertain since Hunter Strickland (finger) went down, but Smith is certainly making a case that he deserves to be the current primary option. This clean effort marked his third straight save conversion, and he's boasting dominant ratios through his 25.1 innings with a 1.07 ERA and 0.67 WHIP to go along with a sterling 35:7 K:BB. The presence of Sam Dyson, Mark Melancon and Tony Watson complicates matters, but if Smith keeps making the most of his opportunities, he could eventually separate himself from the competition.

Rodriguez didn't factor into the decision against the Cardinals on Friday, giving up two earned runs on five hits over 6.2 innings with one strikeout and two walks in San Francisco's 3-2 victory.

Rodriguez only tallied the one strikeout, but other than that, it was another impressive line from the 26-year-old right-hander. He gave up five earned runs in a loss against the Nationals on June 9, but since then he hasn't given up more than three earned in any of his five outings, and his 3.09 ERA and 1.28 WHIP through 43.2 innings are both solid numbers. He'll look to keep it going in his next start, when he heads to the mound to take on the Cubs next Wednesday.

Pivetta lasted just 2.2 innings Friday, surrendering three runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out two, but he didn't factor into the decision in a win over the Pirates.

Pivetta was tagged for a run in the first inning, and two unearned runs came around to score during the third before he was lifted. Due to a high pitch count (74 pitches), Pivetta was unable to work deep into the game for the second straight start after being shelled for seven runs in just 1.2 innings June 29 against Washington. He's accrued a 4.62 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with a 106:29 K:BB over 89.2 innings this season.

Iglesias recorded the final five outs of Friday's game against the Cubs to earn his 17th save of the season. He gave up one hit and issued an intentional walk.

Iglesias has had a couple stumbles in recent days -- he blew a save chance Tuesday and allowed two runs in a non-save situation last Sunday -- but his overall body of work this season is stellar. He's posted a 2.52 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 42:14 K:BB in 39.1 innings. While there's a chance the Reds trade him to a team with an established endgamer, Iglesias is firmly entrenched as the closer with his current club.

Holmes was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

He was tagged by the Dodgers for four runs in 2.1 innings in his spot start Wednesday, so it's no surprise to see him demoted. Joe Musgrove (finger) is expected to slot back into the Pirates' rotation next week.