MLB Player News

Patrick is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Rob Zastryzny in Saturday's game against the Phillies in Philadelphia, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Patrick has started in 11 of his 12 appearances on the season and owns an excellent 2.97 ERA, but he has a 2-4 record to show for it. The Brewers have typically been reluctant to let Patrick work deep into games -- he's covered five-plus innings just five times -- but working as a bulk reliever should boost his chances of coming away with a win if he ends up exiting Saturday's contest with a lead. With the Phillies typically deploying two left-handed bats (Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper or Bryson Stott) in the top three spots in the lineup, the Brewers will likely have the lefty Zastryzny pitch just one inning before he turns the game over to Patrick.

Brown is slated to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Drew Pomeranz in Saturday's game against the Reds in Chicago, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

The left-handed-hitting TJ Friedl typically leads off for the Reds, so Cubs manager Craig Counsell will have the left-handed Pomeranz begin the game on the mound with the hope that he can keep Cincinnati off the board early. Based on comments from manager Craig Counsell, Pomeranz is likely to work just one inning before turning the ball over to Brown, who had started in each of his last 10 appearances while posting a 6.38 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 48 innings. Another rough showing as a bulk reliever could loosen Brown's grip on a rotation spot a bit more, though the Cubs don't appear to have an obvious candidate to replace him.

The Cardinals selected Vilade's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Vilade has spent the entire season at Triple-A, where he owns a .280/.375/.476 slash line with five homers, 31 RBI, 33 runs scored and five stolen bases through 48 games. He'll now join the big club to help make up for the loss of Jordan Walker (wrist), though he isn't likely to crack the starting lineup often.

The Cardinals placed Walker on the 10-day injured list Saturday with left wrist inflammation, retroactive to Thursday.

Walker's wrist injury helps to explain why he was left out of the lineup Friday against Arizona. The severity of his injury is still unclear, so there's no telling if he might be able to return when eligible June 8. In the meantime, Ryan Vilade will come up from Triple-A Memphis to replenish St. Louis' outfield depth.

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Graceffo has struggled mightily in the big leagues this season, accumulating a 7.47 ERA and 1.40 WHIP through 15.2 innings with St. Louis. He'll now attempt to get back on track in Triple-A, and Roddery Munoz will come up to fill the vacancy in the Cardinals' bullpen.

The Cardinals recalled Munoz from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Munoz has given up four earned runs in 4.2 innings with the Cardinals this season, and he also owns a 5.06 ERA through 21.1 frames in the minors. Despite his performance, he'll rejoin the big club to give St. Louis' bullpen another fresh arm, replacing Gordon Graceffo.

Zastryzny will serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Phillies, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Zastryzny struck out two batters in a scoreless inning when the Brewers used him as an opener May 19 against Baltimore, and he'll now aim for similar success while facing off against the top of Philadelphia's order. Chad Patrick is expected to follow Zastryzny as a bulk reliever.

Lowe went 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's win over Arizona.

The first baseman produced his second straight multi-hit game while drawing multiple free passes for the first time since May 7. Lowe has endured a tough May overall, slashing .212/.278/.298 through 115 plate appearances even with the recent mini-surge, but he's still come through with 13 RBI and 14 runs in 26 contests, and he appears to be building some momentum heading into June.

Wood went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's win over the Diamondbacks.

The 22-year-old outfielder led off the third inning by crushing a Merrill Kelly cutter over the fence in left-center field, Wood's fourth homer in the last six games and his 16th of the season. He's hit safely in 11 of the last 12 contests, a stretch in which Wood is slashing .364/.463/.795 with 13 runs and 18 RBI as the engine of a suddenly potent Nats offense that is averaging 5.8 runs during that 12-game stretch.

Hassell went 2-for-5 with three RBI in Friday's win over the Diamondbacks.

The rookie outfielder opened the scoring with a two-RBI single in the top of the first inning, kicking off a wild 9-7 victory. Hassell has begun to find his rhythm against big-league pitching, racking up six hits -- including his first career homer -- and five RBI in the last three games, but an 0:9 BB:K over his first 32 plate appearances with the Nats remains a red flag for his fantasy appeal.