MLB Player News

Wacha (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Monday.

The move shouldn't affect Wacha's return timeline, as he's already been out for over 60 days. It remains unclear whether or not he'll be able to make it back before the end of the season, as he suffered a setback Friday and was scratched from a rehab start. If he does return, it will be in a bullpen role. The move opens up space on the 40-man roster for Adam Wainwright (elbow) to return from the 60-day disabled list.

Wainwright (elbow) was activated as expected ahead of his scheduled start Monday against Pittsburgh.

Wainwright made just four starts for the Cardinals before being shut down in early May with an elbow issue. The 37-year-old is back for the playoff push, though it's unclear how much he has left in the tank. His respectable 4.00 ERA in those four starts hid an ugly 15:14 K:BB, and he posted ERAs of 4.62 and 5.11 over the last two seasons. Assuming he gets through his first start back unscathed, he lines up for a two-start week, throwing again against the Dodgers on Saturday. Michael Wacha (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list in a corresponding move.

Burnes notched his fourth victory of the season in Sunday's victory over the Giants.

Burnes was the first reliever into the game Sunday, and after tossing a perfect sixth inning he was the pitcher of record when Jonathan Schoop hit a go-ahead grand slam the next inning to give the Brewers a lead they would never relinquish. Burnes has been particularly sharp of late, posting a 0.77 in both the ERA and WHIP categories to go along with a 10:3 K:BB in 11.2 innings over his last seven outings.

Martinez, who secured his second save Sunday against the Tigers, has officially been designated as the team's closer by manager Mike Shildt, Tyler Fenwick of MLB.com reports.

The news from Shildt came postgame Sunday, as the manager confirmed he'd actually informed Martinez of the news prior to the contest. The right-hander essentially won a near week-long audition for the closer's job that also included hard-throwing rookie Jordan Hicks. Martinez was able to impress by firing four scoreless innings over a seven-day period, leading Shildt to state that "we feel good about what Carlos can bring" to the ninth-inning role. Meanwhile, former closer Bud Norris is expected to see his bullpen slotting "reshuffled" so that he can be placed in less high-leverage scenarios for the time being, according to Shildt.

Anderson (6-8) allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks across 2.2 innings Sunday to take the loss against the Dodgers. He struck out two.

Anderson struggled through a first inning in which he allowed a pair of runs on two hits and a run-scoring fielder's choice. He allowed a solo home run to lead off the second inning and later allowed an unearned run on a three-base error. Anderson was removed with two outs in the third and 72 pitches under his belt, giving him 25 earned runs allowed over 19.1 innings in his last five outings. His ERA has risen to 4.89 ahead of Friday's scheduled matchup with the Giants.

Davies allowed two runs on six hits and one walk across five innings Sunday in a no-decision against the Giants. He struck out two.

Davies allowed a leadoff home run in the first inning before settling down and cruising through the next few frames. He ran into trouble in the fifth, when he allowed a run on two hits and a walk, but he was able to escape with minimal damage done. Davies induced nine groundball outs, which helped offset his lack of swing-and-miss stuff during the outing. He's compiled a 9:2 K:BB across 10 innings since returning from the disabled list and will look to pitch deeper into the game this weekend against the Pirates.

Hill (8-5) gave up four runs on four hits while striking out seven over five innings and picking up the win over the Rockies on Sunday.

Hill fared well in a tough pitching environment, limiting the Rockies to just two runs through five frames at Coors Field. The veteran southpaw tried going out for the sixth inning, but was lifted after allowing a pair of baserunners, both of which scored and were charged to his ledger after he departed. The 38-year-old has posted a 4.50 ERA over his last four starts, but he has been a FIP enthusiast's dream with 30 strikeouts to just two walks over that span. Hill's next start figures to come Saturday against the Cardinals.

Martinez tossed a perfect ninth inning Sunday against the Tigers, nailing down his second save of the season.

Martinez has thrived out of his new role in the bullpen, tossing a scoreless outing in seven of his first eight relief appearances. He was initially expected to be used as a multi-inning reliever, although he's been called upon in some high-leverage spots of late with Bud Norris still unavailable (coach's decision). Expect Martinez and Jordan Hicks to be deployed in save opportunities until Norris regains the confidence of his manager -- though the two of them might wrestle closing duties away if they keep rolling.

Lugo gave up a run on one hit while striking five over two innings as he picked up the save Sunday against the Phillies.

Lugo gave up a solo home run in the ninth inning, but he managed to slam the door for his second save of the 2018 season. New York's closer situation is currently a bit messy, but Robert Gsellman and Anthony Swarzak figure to get the first crack in save situations during the final month of the season. Lugo owns a 2.75 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 94 strikeouts through 95 innings this year.

Velasquez (9-11) surrendered five runs on seven hits and one walk, striking out four over four innings while taking the loss Sunday against New York.

Velasquez was spotted a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but he'd go on to give up a run in the first and four more in the fifth before exiting with a three-run deficit. The 26-year-old has gotten off to a rough start in September, going 0-2 while allowing eight runs over nine innings (two starts). Velasquez will carry a 4.30 ERA with 152 punchouts in 138 frames into his next outing Saturday against Miami.