MLB Player News

Miller earned the save in Thursday's 11-10 win over Atlanta, allowing one walk with no strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Justin Martinez unavailable after throwing 37 pitches Wednesday, Miller was called upon to protect an 11-10 lead in the ninth inning and did so on just 10 pitches. On the season, the 34-year-old owns a stellar 1.75 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 27:3 K:BB across 25.2 innings. He's converted six of nine save opportunities and should remain in the ninth-inning mix, though Martinez figures to be the favorite for saves when healthy.

Iglesias (3-5) blew the save and took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk in two-thirds of an inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Iglesias entered with a 10-7 lead and a runner on first with one out but was unable to close things out, departing with an 11-10 deficit. He's now allowed runs in seven of his past 10 appearances and holds a disappointing 6.75 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and 25:6 K:BB across 24 innings overall. While there's been no indication from the team that the 35-year-old is in danger of losing the closer role, he's just 8-for-12 in save chances as Atlanta continues to slide in the National League East standings.

Naylor was removed from Thursday's game against Atlanta due to hand and shoulder soreness, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo noted Wednesday that Naylor has been playing through shoulder and hand issues for the past few days, but the 27-year-old wasn't quite able to make it through Thursday's game. The team is currently labeling him as day-to-day, though Pavin Smith may be in line for reps at first base if Naylor's injuries persist.

Holmes did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 11-10 loss to the Diamondbacks, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 3.1 innings.

Holmes faced the minimum through three innings but fell apart in the fourth, allowing three runs before being pulled at just 64 pitches. He generated nine whiffs but also surrendered five hard-hit balls in his shortest outing since making his season debut in a one-inning relief appearance March 27. The 29-year-old had completed at least five frames in nine straight starts, so this may have simply been a quick hook during a tough frame. He'll carry a 3.99 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 68:29 K:BB across 67.2 innings into a road matchup with the Brewers next week.

Pfaadt did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 11-10 win over Atlanta, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts over three innings.

Pfaadt endured a five-run third inning highlighted by three consecutive Atlanta doubles. The 26-year-old has allowed at least four earned runs in four of his seven starts since the calendar flipped to May, including 13 over his past two outings. Those back-to-back rough starts have inflated the righty's ERA from 3.90 to 5.51, and he now owns a 1.36 WHIP and 51:17 K:BB across 65.1 innings. He'll try to get back on track in a home matchup with the Mariners next week.

Atlanta plans to select Kimbrel's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Kimbrel signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta shortly before the regular season began and has made 15 appearances at Gwinnett, logging a 2.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP alongside a 17:8 K:BB across 14.2 innings. With Atlanta in need of bullpen help after giving up seven runs in the ninth inning of Thursday's 11-10 loss to Arizona, they'll now turn to the 37-year-old veteran for assistance. Kimbrel has accumulated 440 saves across his 15 years in the majors -- good enough for fifth most in MLB history -- though it's unclear what role he'll have in Atlanta's bullpen.

McGuire is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Thursday's game against the Nationals.

McGuire will pick up his first start since Sunday as Carson Kelly gets a breather. McGuire launched two home runs in his first game of the year back on May 25, but he's gone 0-for-9 with three strikeouts across three games since then. The veteran catcher doesn't have a ton of fantasy value as long as Kelly is healthy, and McGuire will likely be moved off the MLB roster entirely whenever Miguel Amaya (oblique) is able to return from the injured list.

Hodge (oblique/hip) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Hodge went on the 15-day injured list nearly three weeks ago with a strained oblique, but it's a hip impingement that's a bigger concern now for the reliever. He is expected to require a brief rehab assignment before returning from the injured list.

Imanaga (hamstring) threw a 39-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Imanaga faced hitters for the first time since going on the 15-day injured list in early May due to a strained left hamstring. Whether Imanaga will require a rehab assignment is not yet clear, but he still has some stamina to rebuild before being considered for a return to the Cubs rotation.

Bericoto (undisclosed) has gone 1-for-9 with four strikeouts in two games since he was assigned to Double-A Richmond after being reinstated from Triple-A Sacramento's 7-day injured list.

Bericoto missed about a month of action for Sacramento due to the injury before he was sent to Richmond after playing in six rehab games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The 23-year-old had slashed just .196/.196/.283 at Sacramento prior to missing time with the injury, so Bericoto could need an extended run of quality performances with Richmond before he rejoins the Triple-A club.