MLB Player News

Chapman struck out two without allowing a baserunner across a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds on Wednesday.

Chapman entered the game in the ninth inning with a five-run lead, marking his first appearance since Saturday. He struggled to begin the season but has pitched well for significant stretches, most recently allowing two earned runs across 8.2 innings in June while posting a 13:4 K:BB. Chapman should see most of Pittsburgh's save chances while David Bednar (oblique) is sidelined.

Wesneski did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Giants on Wednesday, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk over four innings while striking out seven.

Wesneski got off to a solid start, striking out four of the first six batters he faced before surrendering back-to-back home runs to Michael Conforto and David Villar in the second. The right-hander would go 1-2-3 through the next two innings before being relieved by Drew Smyly to open the fifth, though the former would still finish with his second-highest strikeout total of the season. It also marked Wesneski's longest outing since May 8 against the Padres when he went six innings.

Contreras didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Oakland, allowing one run on four hits with two walks across three innings. He struck out two.

After coming out of the bullpen in his first nine outings as a Halo, Contreras was expected to get up to four or five innings in Wednesday's start. However, he threw 61 pitches across three innings before getting yanked. Three of the four hits Contreras allowed went for extra bases. On the year, Contreras owns a 3.82 ERA with 31 strikeouts over 33.0 innings. It's unclear if he'll make another start, but there's not many alternate options on the active roster at the moment. If he does stick in the rotation, he'd likely pitch Tuesday in a rematch with the A's.

Houser picked up a save in the Mets' 12-2 win over the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out three batters over three scoreless innings.

Houser entered with the Mets holding an eight-run lead and cruised the remainder of the way to notch the first save of his career. The right-hander threw 44 pitches in the outing, and he's tossed at least two frames in all but one of his eight appearances since returning to the bullpen May 26. Houser has thrived since making that transition, allowing just three earned runs across 20.2 innings.

Kimbrel earned a save against the Guardians on Wednesday, walking one batter and striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

Kimbrel issued a two-out walk but otherwise overpowered Cleveland with three punchouts. The veteran closer rebounded well after blowing a save against the Yankees during his previous trip to the mound. Kimbrel is 17-for-21 in save chances on the season and has registered an elite 13.3 K/9 while posting a 2.54 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 28.1 innings.

Zerpa (1-0) struck out one without allowing a baserunner over two-thirds of an inning to earn the win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

Zerpa's had a strong season, but his overall numbers are skewed by a five-run meltdown versus the Rangers last Saturday. It was just the third time all year he had allowed multiple runs, and he bounced back with a sharp outing Wednesday to grab his first win. Zerpa is at a 3.41 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB over 29 innings while adding eight holds and a blown save. The southpaw saw increased high-leverage work in May, but the Royals have gone 9-14 in June, creating fewer opportunities for him to pitch in key situations. Zerpa should continue to factor in the late innings, but he's not yet a threat to James McArthur's closer job.

Helsley allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in a 4-1 win over Atlanta in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Helsley allowed two runs in Monday's game versus Atlanta, but he was able to keep his save streak going. The right-hander has converted his last 28 save attempts after blowing his first chance of the year. He's now at a 2.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB through 36 innings. Helsley has allowed six hits and issued 10 walks over 11 innings in June, but he's been scored on in just two of his 11 appearances this month, so his place as the Cardinals' closer is not in doubt.

Liberatore (2-2) earned the win over Atlanta in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out eight over six scoreless innings.

Liberatore threw 85 pitches (54 strikes) in his longest outing of the season, which also earned him his first quality start. It was an impressive showing for the southpaw, as it was initially believed the Cardinals would be putting together a bullpen game for the nightcap. Liberatore had allowed three runs over his previous 4.1 innings entering Wednesday. He's now at a 3.86 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB through 44.1 innings over 27 appearances (five starts). Liberatore will likely return to a relief role soon unless the Cardinals opt to include him in a six-man rotation.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wesneski will start Wednesday's game in San Francisco, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Wesneski has previously made three starts for the Cubs this season, though none have come since May 8. While he'll be available on four days' rest after having made his last relief appearance Friday, Wesneski probably isn't built up enough to handle a traditional starter's workload. The Cubs are likely to move Wesneski back to the bullpen following Wednesday's game, as he was merely added to the rotation this week to give left-hander Shota Imanaga an extra day of rest between starts.

The Mets recalled Adcock from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Tigers in late May and will now receive his first look in the majors for the Mets. Adcock posted a 3.45 ERA over 15.2 frames in his first taste of the big leagues last year with Seattle, but he's struggled to a 5.82 ERA across 17 outings at the Triple-A level this season.