MLB Player News

Ortiz is in line to serve as a bulk reliever in Friday's game versus the Rays, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Carmen Mlodzinski will open for the Pirates before handing things off to Ortiz. Each of Ortiz's last two appearances have come in bulk relief and he's fared well, yielding just one run with a 6:1 K:BB over 9.1 innings of work.

Mlodzinski will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher in Friday's game versus the Rays, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

It's the third opener assignment this season for Mlodzinski, who didn't allow a run in his first two tries. Luis Ortiz is a good bet to follow in a bulk-relief role.

Wilson did not factor into the decision in Thursday's loss to the Padres, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings while striking out five.

Wilson failed to retire five of the first seven batters he faced to open the contest, surrendering back-to-back homers to Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill in the first to put the Brewers in an early 4-1 hole. The right-hander would settle in over the next three frames before coughing up another long ball in the fifth. It was Wilson's first time this season in which he allowed multiple home runs in a start and he's given up at least five runs in two of his last three outings. He's also walked multiple batters in three consecutive starts.

Helsley picked up the save over the Giants on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk over one inning while striking out two.

Helsley took over in the ninth to protect a one-run lead and proceeded to walk the leadoff man while also coughing up a single three batters later. However, the right-hander rebounded nicely, striking out Matt Chapman to stop the late rally and earn his league-leading 25th save of the season. Helsley has converted each of his last four save opportunities, though he's also issued at least one walk in three consecutive outings.

Pallante (3-3) picked up the win over the Giants on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings while striking out five.

Pallante cruised through the first two innings before failing to retire four of the first five batters he faced in the third, leading to three runs coming home for San Francisco. The right-hander would get tagged for another two runs in the sixth, marking the second time in his last four that he's coughed up at least five runs. Pallante also matched his season high with three walks and failed to make it through six innings for the fourth consecutive outing. Despite those struggles, he's now won three of his last five starts.

Phillips earned a save against the Rockies on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Phillips cruised to the save on 11 pitches, punching out two of the three batters he faced. It was the fifth straight scoreless and hitless outing for the closer, who has allowed an earned run in only two of his 21 appearances this season. Phillips is 12-for-12 in save chances this season -- he's the only MLB closer with that many saves who remains perfect in save opportunities.

Sewald allowed one hit and struck out one during a scoreless ninth to collect the save Thursday against the Nationals.

Sewald collected his first save in two weeks, having tossed just 1.1 innings over two appearances during that span prior to Thursday. Despite the inactivity, Sewald needed only eight pitches, tossing six for strikes to thwart the Nationals. Sewald did surrender just his fourth hit allowed over 12.2 innings this season and still has not allowed a run since his initial appearance of the campaign.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Roycroft has done a decent job in the majors since being called back up to St. Louis on June 4, allowing just one run in 8.2 innings. However, he'll be sent back down to Triple-A in favor of Adam Kloffenstein, as the Cardinals look to keep their bullpen stocked with fresh arms.

Beeks (3-3) threw a scoreless ninth inning while allowing one hit and striking out one to earn the win Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Beeks entered the game with the score knotted at 6-6. He delivered his sixth consecutive scoreless appearance, and in that span he has three holds and a win. Given the Rockies' struggles to find a reliable closer this season, Beeks may get a second look in the role.

Hudson threw two scoreless innings of relief and picked up his 11th hold of the season in Wednesday's victory over the Angels. He allowed a hit, struck out a batter and walked none.

Hudson allowed two earned runs in his final appearance of May, but he gave up only two all season prior to that, and he has not allowed any runs through eight frames in June. Add it all up and Hudson now owns a minuscule 0.90 ERA along with a 0.65 WHIP and 46:8 K:BB over 40 innings out of Milwaukee's bullpen.