MLB Player News

Bard (7-6) gave up a two-run homer and recorded one strikeout in Monday's loss to the Cubs.

Bard entered a 4-4 game in the ninth inning and gave up a walkoff shot to Rafael Ortega, giving him his sixth loss of the year. He's allowed five runs over his last 3.1 innings, raising his season ERA to 4.68. It was Bard's first loss since July 6 and he's still 20-for-27 in save chances on the year.

Rodriguez (2-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning and picked up the win Monday against the Rockies. He struck out one.

Rodriguez pitched a 1-2-3 top of the ninth inning in a 4-4 game, then earned the win when the Cubs scored twice in the bottom part of the frame. The 25-year-old has emerged as a candidate for saves in Chicago with Craig Kimbrel getting traded. Codi Heuer is also in the mix. Rodriguez has pitched well with a 2.70 ERA and looks like a decent fantasy option if he keeps seeing late-inning work.

Brentz was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left shoulder impingement, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Brentz delivered a scoreless inning and picked up a hold Friday against the Cubs, and he'll now be sidelined by the shoulder issue. It's unclear how long he's expected to be out, though he'll be eligible to be activated Aug. 31 versus Cleveland.

Alzolay (hamstring) could make a rehab appearance for Triple-A Iowa this week, though the Cubs have yet to fully decide on their plans for him, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Alzolay is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list, but it looks as though he's not quite ready to do so. He resumed playing catch two days after landing on the injured list and advanced to agility work the following day and a bullpen session the day after that, so it doesn't seem as though his hamstring strain is a serious one, but the rebuilding Cubs have little reason not to be cautious given their place in the standings.

Snead was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

Snead has spent the past couple weeks in the majors and appeared in five games, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks over six innings. He has a 1.95 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 43:12 K:BB across 32.1 innings at Triple-A this season, and he's a likely candidate to rejoin the Blue Jays when bullpen help is required down the stretch.

Sewald (8-3) recorded the victory in an extra-innings win over the Astros on Sunday, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out the side in a scoreless 10th inning.

The right-hander got himself into immediate trouble by allowing a leadoff single to Jose Altuve that pushed inning-opening pinch-runner Lance McCullers to third. However, after an intentional walk to Michael Brantley loaded the bases, Sewald impressively bore down to strike out Carlos Correa, Jason Castro and Yuli Gurriel, with the last two punchouts featuring swinging third strikes. Sewald has developed into an excellent fantasy reliever, complementing his eight victories with six saves and 10 holds while filling a variety of later-inning roles.

Barnes gave up two runs on four hits while recording only one out to blow his sixth save of the season in Monday's 8-4 extra-innings win over the Rangers.

Entering the game in the ninth inning and entrusted with a 3-1 lead, Barnes didn't allow much hard contact but still found himself facing Andy Ibanez with the bases loaded, only for the young Ranger to smoke a ground-rule double into the right-field bullpen to tie things up. Barnes has seen only two saves chances since Aug. 4 and blown them both, and his 15.20 ERA through eight appearances and 5.1 innings so far this month is a far cry from the 2.30 ERA he carried into August. His job as closer doesn't yet seem to be in jeopardy, but Boston may not be able to afford him too much patience as they fight to hang onto a playoff spot.

Armstrong (1-0) was credited with the victory in a win over the White Sox on Sunday, firing two scoreless innings during which he issued a walk and recorded four strikeouts.

Following a rocky early-season tenure with the Rays, Armstrong has looked like a different pitcher since returning to the big-league club Tuesday. The right-hander has allowed just a single hit -- a solo home run -- across five innings over three appearances while generating an impressive 8:1 K:BB.

Mantiply (undisclosed) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Mantiply spent just over a week on the COVID-19 IL due to contact tracing after starting pitcher Merrill Kelly tested positive for the virus. The 30-year-old southpaw has made eight relief appearances for the Diamondbacks, and he's recorded a 3.38 ERA and 2.25 WHIP with four holds in 5.1 innings during that time.

Holmes (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

Holmes tested positive for COVID-19 nearly two weeks ago but rejoined the Yankees on Thursday. He threw side sessions to test his health but wasn't activated during the team's series against the Twins. However, the right-hander will be available out of the bullpen for Monday's series opener in Atlanta. Holmes has made 12 relief appearances since the All-Star break, and he's posted a 4.97 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 12.2 innings during that time.