MLB Player News

Chapman picked up the save Thursday against Milwaukee, striking out one batter during a perfect ninth inning.

Chapman inherited a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and required only nine pitches to retire Christian Yelich, Willy Adames and Sal Frelick in order. Chapman has consistently seen ninth-inning work since David Bednar (oblique) got injured June 22, but Chapman's allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and six walks across 7.2 innings with three saves in four opportunities during that stretch.

Civale (2-7) took the loss Thursday against Pittsburgh, allowing one run on six hits and two walks across 6.1 innings. He struck out six.

Civale blanked the Pirates until the seventh inning when he allowed a single, an RBI double and a walk before being pulled with one out. His one run allowed proved to be the difference, as the Brewers only managed two hits on the day, both of which came in the eighth inning. Though it goes down as a loss, Thursday's outing marked Civale's first time pitching into the seventh inning and was his first quality start since April 16. In two starts with the Brewers, Civale has surrendered five runs over 11.1 innings and owns a 14:5 K:BB.

Skenes (6-0) picked up the win Thursday against Milwaukee, allowing no hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch with 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.

Skenes' excellent rookie season got even better Tuesday, as he tied his career high in strikeouts and logged his second hitless start. He finished the outing by retiring 16 consecutive batters and allowed a baserunner in only the second inning. The 22-year-old is undefeated through 11 appearances and has generated a quality start in nine of his last 10 outings. Skenes will enter the All-Star break with a 1.91 ERA and 89 strikeouts across 66.1 innings.

The Nationals will recall Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester to start Friday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutledge has appeared in just one game for the Nationals this season, allowing a run to score in one inning May 14 against the White Sox. He hasn't done a much better job preventing runs in the minor leagues, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through 71.2 frames. He'll be facing one of the National League's more dynamic offenses Friday, as the Brewers rank fourth in the NL in both OPS (.732) and runs scored (450).

Wheeler (back) won't make his scheduled start Sunday against the Athletics, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 34-year-old had an MRI on his back come back negative after he experienced lower-back tightness during Tuesday's start, but Philadelphia will play it safe and skip the right-hander's final outing before the All-Star break. Wheeler is expected to be ready to go to begin the second half, though it's unclear whether he'll be tabbed to start during the opening series in Pittsburgh next weekend.

The Cubs placed Bellinger on the 10-day injured list Thursday due to a fracture in his left middle finger, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Bellinger had to be taken out of Wednesday's game after he was hit in the hand by a pitch during the seventh inning, and imaging confirmed Thursday that the incident resulted in a fractured finger. He'll be sidelined through at least July 21, though the Cubs haven't yet provided a timeline for his return. Alexander Canario will come up from Triple-A Iowa in order to replenish Chicago's outfield depth.

The Cubs recalled Canario from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 24-year-old was up with the Cubs early in the season and posted an .815 OPS in 25 plate appearances, and he'll receive another look as Cody Bellinger heads to the injured list with a fractured finger. Canario could have at least a semi-regular role with Bellinger and Mike Tauchman (groin) both sidelined.

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

As expected, Graceffo's latest stint with the Cardinals lasted just one day, as St. Louis called him from Triple-A Memphis to serve as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the Royals. He made his first MLB start in the second game of the twin bill and was the pitcher of record in the Cardinals' 8-5 loss, working 3.1 innings and striking out two batters while allowing three earned runs on four hits and no walks.

Knack isn't starting Thursday against the Phillies but could be utilized behind opener Anthony Banda, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers haven't announced their pitching plans beyond Banda, but Knack would be on turn to pitch after starting last Thursday against the Diamondbacks. The right-hander has a 2.86 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 31:9 K:BB across 34.2 innings this season.

Banda will start Thursday's game against the Phillies, SportsNet LA reports.

Banda has a 2.05 ERA and 20:12 K:BB over 22 innings this season and will make his first start since 2022 on Thursday. The lefty will likely cover only an inning or two before turning things over to the bullpen, with Landon Knack a candidate to work as the bulk reliever.