MLB Player News

Alzolay pitched 3.2 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three.

Keegan Thompson got the start but was limited to just three innings of work in his second game back from the injured list. That opened the middle innings up for Alzolay, and the righty looked good against a red-hot St. Louis lineup, notching his second straight scoreless appearance. Alzolay should continue to work in relief for the Cubs to close out the season, though he's an option for the rotation next year depending on what moves the organization makes in the offseason.

Thompson allowed one run across three innings and did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Cardinals. He gave up three hits and a walk while striking out seven.

A Paul Goldschmidt solo home run was the only damage against Thompson, but the Cubs still limited the righty to just 56 pitches even as he set a season high with the seven strikeouts in three innings. He threw only 40 pitches in his previous outing, which was his first start after missing a few weeks due to shoulder inflammation, so the organization is clearly just being cautious with nothing to play for. Thompson is currently slated to start the final game of the season next Sunday against the Cardinals and may see his pitch count inch upward, though he still likely won't work too deep into the contest.

Santillan allowed a solo homer in Saturday's win over the Nationals. The Reds haven't decided what his role will be in 2022 after they moved him to the bullpen this summer, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Santillan has been on a roll, allowing two runs over the last two months, a span of 21.1 innings. Walks have remained an issue still, as he's walked 10 over that span and 20 over 41 major-league innings this season.

Bazardo was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

The reliever has thrown three innings in the majors this season, tossing three scoreless frames while striking out three. He'll take the spot of Josh Taylor (bacK), who was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Thursday.

Taylor was placed on the 10-day injured list with a back injury Sunday.

The move was made retroactive to Sept. 23, so the earliest the reliever can return is Oct. 3, the final game of the season. Since returning from the COVID-19 list on Sept. 6, he's given up two runs while striking out six in five innings. Right-hander Eduard Bazardo was recalled from Triple-A Worcester.

Vasquez was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Vasquez made his Dodgers debut in early September, allowing one unearned run on one hit while striking out three and walking none across a pair of relief appearances. He'll give the team an extra left-handed option in the bullpen, with outfielder Luke Raley optioned to clear space on the roster.

Barria was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder impingement.

The injury was initially described as arm fatigue after Barria exited Saturday's start early, but the shoulder impingement and IL designation will end his 2021 season. Barria posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 56.2 innings this season, and 11 of his 13 appearances were starts. Sam Selman was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill Barria's roster spot.

The Astros optioned Martinez to their taxi squad Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Martinez allowed five runs in an inning of work Friday after holding opponents scoreless in his first two big-league appearances. He's unlikely to rejoin Houston this season, barring other injuries on the big-league roster.

The Athletics activated Moll from the paternity list Sunday.

The lefty rejoins Oakland's bullpen after being on paternity leave since Thursday. He figures to pitch in low-leverage situations during the last week of the regular season.

Hicks (elbow) will continue his rehab work in the Arizona Fall League at the end of the regular season and won't join the Cardinals for any potential postseason action, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Hicks began a rehab stint with Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, but the Cardinals don't plan to rush him back from the four-plus month absence for a potential playoff run. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since the start of May with right elbow inflammation and should be ready for spring training, assuming he avoids any setbacks while pitching in the fall league.