MLB Player News

Duvall went 3-for-3 with a solo homer in Thursday's win over the Phillies.

Duvall reached on infield singles in each of his first two at-bats before crushing a 421-foot leadoff homer in the sixth to extend Atlanta's lead to two runs. It marked just the third three-hit performance for the outfielder this season, while the long ball was his first since July 26. Duvall certainly showed out in his return to the starting lineup (his last start was Aug. 12), and he'll look to build off that performance as Atlanta continues to battle through the injury bug down the final stretch of the regular season. However, even after the three-hit effort Duvall is still batting just .181 (4-for-22) in August, with his lone RBI and run for this month coming on Thursday's homer.

Iglesias picked up the save over the Phillies on Thursday, striking out three over a perfect ninth inning.

Iglesias entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth and needed only 12 pitches to strike out the side for his 28th save of the campaign. The right-hander hasn't allowed any hits or walks in 10 straight appearances while posting 13 strikeouts over that stretch -- per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, he's only the third pitcher in modern history to record at least 10 straight perfect appearances. Thursday also marked the first time this season in which he struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning.

Burleson went 2-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Brewers.

Burleson has gone 14-for-46 (.304) over his last 12 contests, adding two home runs, two doubles, six RBI, one stolen base and seven runs scored in that span. He hasn't been known for patience at the plate lately -- he hadn't drawn a walk since Aug. 3 before getting two free passes Thursday. Despite a 4.6 percent walk rate this season, Burleson has been one of the Cardinals' top hitters with a .278/.313/.462 slash line, 21 home runs, 70 RBI, 59 runs scored and eight stolen bases over 461 plate appearances. That said, he's back to being a strong-side platoon player after earning an everyday role in mid-June. He has sat out against the last three southpaws the Cardinals have faced.

Scott went 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and one run scored in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Brewers.

Scott had gone 4-for-27 over his previous nine contests before putting together a strong effort from the bottom of the order in this game. His steal Thursday was his third of the campaign in 35 games, as his prolific speed (29 steals in 74 games with Triple-A Memphis) has been hampered by his trouble getting on base in the majors. Even with the three-hit effort, Scott is batting .144 on the year with a .411 OPS, one home run, six RBI and eight runs scored over 111 plate appearances.

Kittredge (2-4) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win Thursday over the Brewers.

Kittredge kept the game scoreless in the top of the seventh inning, and the Cardinals scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the frame. From July 20 to Aug. 9, Kittredge posted a 7.1-inning scoreless streak, but he had given up three runs over his previous two appearances before Thursday's scoreless outing. He's at a 3.44 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 50:16 K:BB through 52.1 innings while adding a save, 30 holds and six blown saves this year.

Sanchez (9-9) took the loss against Atlanta on Thursday, allowing three runs on nine hits and one walk over six innings while striking out eight.

Sanchez got knocked around early, surrendering seven hits and a walk over the first three frames as Atlanta took a 2-1 lead. The lefty would allow the leadoff man to reach in five of his six innings of work while also allowing nine hits on the night -- the second-most he's allowed in a start this season. On the bright side, Sanchez matched his third-highest strikeout total of the campaign in Thursday's loss and he's now posted quality starts in three of his last four outings.

Schwellenbach (5-6) picked up the win over the Phillies on Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out nine.

Schwellenbach allowed two of the first three batters to reach in the opening frame, ultimately resulting in a run coming home for Philadelphia. However, the right-hander proceeded to go 1-2-3 through each of the next five innings, striking out eight batters over that stretch before surrendering another run in the seventh. Schwellenbach induced 20 whiffs in the contest and has now recorded at least seven strikeouts in six consecutive starts. It also marked the first win this month for the 24-year-old, though he's now given up three or fewer runs in five straight outings.

Farmer will serve as the Reds' opening pitcher for Friday's game against the Pirates, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Farmer is tabbed as the Reds' official starter, but he has completed no more than two innings in any appearance this season. That said, he'll almost certainly be in store for a brief outing, with lefty Andrew Abbott being the leading candidate to work in bulk relief behind him.

Abbott won't start Friday against the Pirates but could be available in bulk relief, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Abbott was originally listed as the probable pitcher for Friday's game, but the Reds have since named Buck Farmer as the official starter. Farmer hasn't completed more than two innings in any appearance this season, so he'll presumably be in store for an abbreviated outing before Abbott likely enters the game and covers several frames.

Manager Pat Murphy said Wednesday that Bukauskas (shoulder) is recovering from an oblique strain, and the Brewers are hopeful that he'll be available for game action "by the end of September," MLB.com reports.

Bukauskas was initially placed on the injured list back on April 14 with a right lat strain, but the Brewers later reclassified the injury as a right tricep strain. He then experienced a setback with his shoulder during a June 13 rehab appearance, resulting in him being shut down again. Bukauskas resumed his rehab assignment in late July, but he made just three appearances in the minors before apparently tweaking his oblique at some point along the way. While the Brewers are optimistic that Bukauskas will make it back from the IL during the final month of the season, it's not clear when he'll be ready to start up his rehab assignment for a third time.