MLB Player News

Helsley (3-3) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk in an inning of relief. He failed to strike out a batter.

Called upon to protect a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning, Helsley issued a one-out walk before serving up back-to-back doubles to Michael Harris and Ozzie Albies. Helsley has had a rough start to his tenure as Edwin Diaz's main setup man, coughing up seven runs (albeit only three earned) over six appearances and five innings while getting charged with two blown saves and two losses. The Mets won't give up on the trade-deadline acquisition, but Helsley could begin to cede eighth-inning duties to other relievers until he gets back on track.

Kelly isn't part of the starting nine for Friday's game against the Pirates.

Kelly is out of the lineup for the second time in three games, yielding to Reese McGuire on Friday. Kelly had started the prior five consecutive contests, and he's slashing .270/.367/.471 in 308 plate appearances this season.

Edwards went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to the Guardians.

The switch hitter extended his hitting streak to nine games and produced his seventh multi-hit performance during the hot streak, and he's batting a blistering .452 (19-for-42) during that span. Edwards has been locked in since the beginning of July, slashing .345/.379/.479 over his last 39 contests with two homers, nine steals, 15 RBI and 29 runs as the Marlins' everyday leadoff hitter.

The Brewers placed Perkins (personal) on the bereavement list Thursday.

Perkins will step away from the team for a few days for personal reasons. Players can remain on the bereavement list for 3-to-7 games, so the outfielder should be back with the Brewers sometime next week. Brandon Lockridge could pick up some extra starts in center field in the meantime.

Albies went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Thursday's win over the Mets.

The second baseman got Atlanta on the board with a solo shot off Kodai Senga in the fourth inning, then won the game in the eighth with an RBI double to bring home Michael Harris. Albies ended a 23-game homer drought with the long ball, his 10th of the season, but he's been looking better at the plate of late -- over his last 16 contests, he's slashing .281/.324/.391 with two steals, seven runs and seven RBI.

Sale (ribcage) will make his second rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Gwinnett, and Atlanta could shift to a six-man rotation once he's activated from the 60-day injured list, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

After designating Carlos Carrasco for assignment Thursday to make room in the rotation for rookie Hurston Waldrep, Atlanta is currently running with a standard five-man rotation. Moving to a six-man setup for the final month-plus of the season would help manage the workloads of Waldrep, Sale and Spencer Strider, especially considering the team has only two off days in September. After his upcoming outing Sunday, Sale is likely to make another start after that to get further stretched out before slotting back into the Atlanta rotation. The veteran southpaw has been on the shelf since June 21 due to a fractured left ribcage.

Acuna (calf) flew to Cleveland on Thursday ahead of Atlanta's weekend series against the Guardians, and he's expected to come off the injured list Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The team likely wouldn't have sent Acuna ahead if it wasn't very confident he is fully recovered from his calf strain, but he likely won't be officially activated until after a final workout Friday. The 27-year-old outfielder has been sidelined since July 29, and on the season he sports a 1.006 OPS, 14 homers, four steals, 26 RBI and 48 runs in only 55 games.

Vargas (foot) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and is 0-for-6 with a walk over two games for the Aces.

Vargas played third base for seven innings Tuesday and followed up with a full game as the designated hitter Wednesday prior to getting Thursday off. With the Diamondbacks playing out the string, Vargas is not expected to have a significant role for the club over the final weeks of the regular season.

Thompson (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Thompson, who is dealing with a strain of his lower right trapezius muscle, threw his second bullpen in three days. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo noted the right-hander has responded well to the work, but his return date remains uncertain. Thompson last pitched for the Diamondbacks on July 4.

Smith (oblique) started at first base in the first two games of his rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno, going 2-for-8 with a double and a run scored.

Smith was on the field Tuesday for seven innings and Wednesday for eight innings before getting a day off Thursday. He could be activated ahead of the Diamondbacks' next homestand, which begins Monday, but it's unclear what role Smith will have for a team that's punted on the 2025 season. Tyler Locklear, who was acquired from Seattle in the Eugenio Suarez deal, has been the primary first baseman since joining Arizona. As for DH, the Diamondbacks are giving prospect Adrian Del Castillo, a lefty batter like Smith, a long look there.