MLB Player News

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.

The Mets placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right elbow sprain, retroactive to Monday.

Smith received an MRI after reporting tightness while playing catch earlier Wednesday. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but the Mets have already deemed the sprain worthy of a trip to the IL. Ty Adcock will come up from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the open spot in New York's bullpen.

Ortiz (4-2) picked up the win in Wednesday's 6-1 victory over the Reds, allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The seven Ks tied the right-hander's career high, set back in September 2022 in his third career MLB start. Ortiz was making his first start of 2024 after spending the first part of the season in a long relief role, and he generated an impressive 19 swinging strikes among his season-high 85 pitches. Martin Perez (groin) is expected to come off the IL this weekend, but Ortiz made a solid case to return to the rotation later in the campaign should a spot open up. Through 53 innings this year, he sports a 3.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 43:18 K:BB.

Hendriks (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday consisting of about 15 fastballs, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Hendriks was back on the mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last August and was upbeat following the workout. The veteran reliever believes he can make it back from the 60-day injured list by the end of August, but he's not far along enough in the rehab process yet for the Red Sox to put a definitive target date on his return. The Red Sox signed Hendriks to a two-year deal in February with the understanding that anything the right-hander gave the club in 2024 would be a bonus, so the team likely doesn't have any visions of the three-time All-Star supplanting Kenley Jansen as the team's closer when he eventually returns.

The Giants designated Burgos for assignment Wednesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

In the span of just two days, Burgos has been selected from Triple-A, optioned back to the minors and now will lose his spot on the 40-man roster. The 25-year-old lefty gave up a run during his only MLB appearance Monday but sports a 1.64 ERA in Triple-A, which could spark some interest from other organizations in need of bullpen help. Hayden Birdsong was selected from Sacramento in a corresponding move.

Turnbull said after Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Tigers that he felt "a little grab" in his right shoulder during his penultimate pitch of the third inning but noted that he isn't especially concerned about the injury, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Making his first start for the Phillies since April 30 as a replacement in the rotation for Taijuan Walker (finger), Turnbull struck out two and allowed one run on one hit and two walks before leaving the game following the bottom of the third inning. The Phillies labeled his injury as a sore shoulder, but he'll undergo further testing Thursday as the team looks to get a more precise diagnosis. The upcoming tests should also help clarify whether Turnbull will be ready to go for his next turn through the rotation, which would fall next week in Chicago at Wrigley Field. Michael Mercado would likely be the next man up to enter the rotation if Turnbull needs to join Walker on the 15-day injured list.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Winckowski will start Sunday's game against the Padres in Boston, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Due to off days Thursday and next Monday, the Red Sox didn't need to add a fifth starter to the rotation until July 6, but Cora is electing to bring Winckowski into the rotation early. Brayan Bello had been lined up to start Sunday's game, but he'll instead get pushed back to next Wednesday in Miami and have extra time to regroup after he was lit up for seven earned runs over 2.1 innings in a loss to Toronto on Wednesday. While coming on in relief of Bello on Tuesday, Winckowski struck out eight and allowed two earned runs in six innings, so he looks to be fully stretched out enough to head into Sunday's start without any restrictions with his pitch count. Winckowski has previously made three starts with the big club this season, posting a 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 10.2 innings.