MLB Player News

Thompson (shoulder) threw a simulated game Friday, MLB.com reports.

Thompson has been throwing regularly the last two weeks and has graduated to sessions that mimic a game environment, meaning he's getting up and down multiple times. The next step is expected to be a minor-league or a camp game before the right-hander is activated.

Palencia earned the save in Friday's victory over the Angels, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

The right-hander entered with a one-run lead and slammed the door on Los Angeles to secure his 19th save of the season. Palencia had allowed at least one run in four of his previous six outings, but Friday's performance was a clean rebound effort. On the year, the 25-year-old has been a steady force at the back end of Chicago's bullpen, posting a 1.93 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 51:14 K:BB across 46.2 innings.

Moreno (finger) went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Reds.

Moreno had been out since mid-June with a fractured finger. He delivered Arizona's only multi-hit effort in his contest as well as the team's biggest hit when he took Zack Littell deep in the third inning. Moreno will likely regain his spot as the Diamondbacks' top catcher, though it wouldn't be surprising to see him eased back into action after a long layoff. He's posted a .275/.328/.433 slash line with six homers, 23 RBI, 30 runs scored and a stolen base over 54 contests this season.

Nelson allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings in a no-decision versus the Reds on Friday.

Nelson gave up two runs in the second inning and one more in the sixth. This was his first quality start since July 25 versus the Pirates. Over his last five starts, Nelson has surrendered 18 runs (15 earned) across 28.2 innings while posting a 32:4 K:BB. As long as he can keep his walk rate low, he should continue to be an effective mid-rotation starter. Overall, he's maintained a 3.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 105:32 K:BB across 119 innings through 27 appearances (17 starts) this season. Nelson's next start is projected to be at Milwaukee.

Assad didn't factor into the decision against the Angels on Friday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings.

The right-hander's lone blemish came on a solo homer by Yoan Moncada in the fifth, but Assad otherwise kept Los Angeles in check across his six efficient innings. It was just Assad's third start of the season, as he stepped into the rotation following the injury to Ryan Brasier. Through those three outings, the 28-year-old Assad has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB across 14 innings.

Littell allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three over three innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Littell has two good starts and two shaky ones since he was traded from the Rays to the Reds. This fell in the latter category, as he gave up a three-run home run to Gabriel Moreno in a difficult third inning that ultimately made this a short start. Littell has given up 10 runs (nine earned) over 20.2 innings with Cincinnati, and he's at a 3.62 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 106:27 K:BB through 154 innings over 26 starts this season.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, two RBI and a walk in Friday's 5-4 win over the Giants.

The 27-year-old delivered the decisive blow in the ninth inning, launching his 14th homer of the season and first career walk-off, with two outs off Randy Rodriguez. Contreras also came through earlier in the game with an RBI double in the seventh. The catcher continues to be one of Milwaukee's most consistent offensive performers, as he is slashing .258/.357/.398 with 63 RBI, 71 runs scored and six stolen bases in 123 games this season.

Adames went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Friday's 5-4 loss against the Brewers.

The shortstop opened the scoring with a blast off Jose Quintana in the first inning and added another solo shot against Aaron Ashby in the eighth, giving the 29-year-old his 21st and 22nd homers on the year. Adames has now gone deep in back-to-back games and recorded his third multi-homer performance of the season. Across 127 contests, he's slashing .224/.312/.410 with 65 RBI, 76 runs scored and six stolen bases.

Quintana didn't factor into the decision against the Giants on Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two over 5.1 innings.

The veteran southpaw was tagged for a pair of solo homers, one by Willy Adames in the first inning and another by Luis Matos in the second, but settled in and retired 10 of his final 11 batters. Quintana was pulled after 82 pitches, just two outs shy of what would've been his fourth straight quality start. Over that four-game stretch, he's posted a 2.66 ERA and a 16:4 K:BB, giving Milwaukee steady innings in the middle of the rotation.

Freeland went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Padres.

Freeland has four extra-base hits over his last five games. His homer Friday was the first of his big-league career, coming in his 20th game. Freeland is up to a .228/.353/.351 slash line with five RBI, nine runs scored and a stolen base through 69 plate appearances. He should continue to see time primarily against right-handed pitchers while the Dodgers wait to get some infielders back from injuries.