MLB Player News

Vizcaino (oblique) was activated from the DL on Thursday.

The oblique strain cost Vizcaino more than a month but he has been cleared to return following a pair of rehab appearances. Although manager Brian Snitker has not said so explicitly, it seems likely Vizcaino will return to the closer role immediately despite not throwing on back-to-back days while on his rehab assignment. The 25-year-old Vizcaino has had some issues with walks but has struck batters out at a 28.8 percent clip and is 10-for-13 in save chances this season.

The Brewers will be recalling a pitcher from the minors to start Friday's game in Seattle and Hader appears to be the top candidate to get the call.

Hader can start Friday's game for the Brewers on normal rest and none of the Brewers' minor league starters who are on the 40-man roster line up to make the start, other than Jorge Lopez, who carries a 5.85 ERA at Double-A. Hader is the only candidate for Friday's start worth adding in most formats, as he has high-end bat-missing stuff. Realistically, he wouldn't log more than five or six innings in his big league debut, but he could qualify for the win while notching more than a strikeout per inning. Hader dominated Double-A earlier this season and has a 4.32 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 25 innings on the road since being promoted to Triple-A -- his home numbers at Colorado Springs are relatively worthless, given the pitching conditions.

Nelson (6-13) gave up six runs on six hits and two walks over five innings in Wednesday's loss to the Cubs.

Remember the good old days -- like, say, last month -- when Nelson's numbers still looked solid? Well, he's been doing a good job of putting the lie to his early-season success lately, as Nelson has been tagged for six runs in three of his last four starts and hasn't finished six innings in more than a month. His ERA's up to 4.31, his WHIP's up to an atrocious 1.49, and he's taken the loss in six consecutive starts. The worst part is that his peripherals (like a FIP over 5.00) suggest things could get even worse.

Underwood is rehabbing an undisclosed injury with the Arizona Rookie League Cubs.

He took the mound for one scoreless inning in Arizona on Monday, giving up one hit while striking out two. That marked the first time he has pitched in a game since July 5. It's encouraging to see that Underwood is on the rehab trail, as that means he was not dealing with a serious arm injury, but this has still been close to a lost year for a guy who started the season as the top pitching prospect in the Cubs' system. Prior to the injury he had posted a 4.83 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 48:31 K:BB in 59.2 innings with Double-A Tennessee. He could be a nice bounce-back candidate in 2017 if he can get healthy, but it is obvious that his stock is much lower than it was at the start of this season.

Torres has given up four runs over 7.1 innings pitched in August.

The six-year veteran has given up three of those runs over his last two appearances. However, Torres is still one of the more consistent relievers for the Brewers as he ranks third among Milwaukee relievers in ERA (3.05).

Adleman is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Adleman was recently recalled to take the spot of Michael Lorenzen, who is on the bereavement list. The Reds could choose to option Adleman back to Triple-A following Friday's start, but he also could be given the chance to stick in the rotation going forward. Adleman posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB in four big league starts (19.1 innings) earlier this season. His 2.38 ERA and 1.09 WHIP at Triple-A are notably more impressive, but his K-rate was also a subpar 16.7 percent in the minors, so it's hard to expect him to carry that same success over against big league hitters this time around. Keyvius Sampson recently received a spot start, but it looks like he will head back to the bullpen for now.

Chapman gave up a hit and a walk but still managed to lock down the one-out save in game two of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

Chapman was unexpectedly needed to close the door after Hernan Perez hit a solo home run in the ninth inning to create the save situation. He was perhaps shaky because he recorded the final two outs of the first game in the doubleheader as well, but either way, he managed to find the strikeout he needed to close the door. The save was his sixth in seven chances as a Cub.

Chapman retired the only two hitters he faced while striking out one to earn his fifth save for the Cubs on Tuesday against the Brewers.

Chapman was protecting a four-run lead, but came in with a pair of runners on base, putting him a save situation, which he easily converted. The 28-year-old flamethrower has kept his ERA at 2.00 or lower in each of the last three seasons while carrying a WHIP of 0.89 or lower in each of the last two campaigns.

The Dodgers optioned Stewart to Triple-A Oklahoma City Tuesday.

Stewart allowed just one earned run in a three-inning appearance out of the bullpen Sunday, but he will head back to Oklahoma City to open up a roster spot for fellow reliever Casey Fien. Stewart has had a couple big-league stints this season, so he stands a good chance to rejoin the Dodgers when rosters expand in September.

Alderman has been recalled by the Reds, temporarily replacing Michael Lorenzen on the active roster while the latter is on bereavement leave.

Barring an injury in the interim, Adleman could be sent right back down to the minors when Lorenzen returns. However, there is a chance he fills the open spot in the Reds' rotation as well.