MLB Player News

Helsley (forearm) faced hitters in live batting practice Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The Cardinals will likely reassess Helsley heading into the weekend, but if he reports no setbacks with his strained right forearm, he could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The right-hander is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list next week, and he may not need much longer than the minimum amount of time to get himself ready for game action. Once activated, Helsley should have a clearer path to the ninth-inning gig, as the Cardinals moved Jordan Hicks to Toronto ahead of the trade deadline. Giovanny Gallegos currently looks like Helsley's top challenger for save chances.

Cronin announced Wednesday via his personal Instagram account that he underwent season-ending surgery to address a herniated disc.

Cronin hadn't pitched for Triple-A Rochester since mid-May due to what was a previously undisclosed injury, but the 25-year-old left-hander took to social media to shed more light on his situation. In his post, Cronin noted that he had been dealing with left shoulder and arm pain for two years, but it wasn't until he had his spine examined last month that doctors were able to determine the source of his discomfort. Cronin, who occupies a spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster, is without a clear timeline to resume full baseball activities and may face an uphill battle to gain clearance for the start of spring training.

Honeywell was designated for assignment by the Padres on Wednesday.

Honeywell made the Opening Day roster out of Padres camp this spring and has managed to stay healthy, but the 28-year-old former Rays prospect had surrendered seven earned runs over his last 7.1 innings (seven appearances) dating back to June 30. He heads into DFA limbo showing an overall 4.05 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 42:20 K:BB across 46.2 innings of relief this year.

The Padres placed Hill on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a sprained left ring finger.

Hill presumably picked up the injury during his relief appearance in Tuesday, when he retired one batter while giving up one run on one hit and one walk in a win over the Rockies. The Padres called up Ray Kerr from Triple-A El Paso to give the team another left-handed option in the bullpen while Hill is on the mend.

The Padres recalled Kerr from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Kerr will give the Padres another left-handed option out of the bullpen after the Padres moved southpaw reliever Tim Hill (finger) to the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. The 28-year-old Kerr has previously made eight appearances for San Diego this season, giving up five earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out seven over eight innings.

Santillan has given up four earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven in six innings across six relief appearances for Triple-A Louisville since the Reds optioned him to the minors July 19.

Santillan was summoned from Louisville to serve as the 27th man in the Reds' July 18 doubleheader with the Giants, but he was sent back to the minors a day later. He retains a spot on the 40-man roster and could be in the mix for a call-up later on this season.

The Nationals optioned Harris to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

He'll turn over his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the Washington bullpen to left-hander Robert Garcia, whom the Nationals claimed off waivers from the Marlins on Tuesday. Harris was called up from Rochester on Monday and tossed a scoreless inning in relief during his two-day stay with the big club.

The Nationals activated Garcia ahead of Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Garcia, whom the Nationals claimed off waivers from the Marlins on Tuesday, had been pitching at Triple-A Jacksonville, but Washington will immediately take a look at him at the big-league level. He previously made his MLB debut with Miami earlier in the season but has otherwise made 31 of his 32 appearances at Jacksonville, where he's accrued a 2.85 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 62:22 K:BB across 41 innings.

Martinez will start Wednesday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field after Joe Musgrove was scratched due to "minor" right shoulder soreness, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Martinez was part of the Padres' Opening Day rotation and has made four starts this season, but he's worked out of the bullpen exclusively since late April and made one-inning appearances Sunday and Monday. As such, Martinez won't be especially well rested ahead of the spot start, and the Padres may end up treating the series finale in Colorado as more of a bullpen day. San Diego could call up another pitcher from the minors to provide length behind Martinez, but no such transaction has been announced yet.

Hudson will start Wednesday's game against the Twins at Busch Stadium.

Hudson and Matthew Liberatore will slot into the rotation this week after St. Louis sent out starters Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty to the Rangers and Orioles, respectively, prior to Tuesday's trade deadline. Though all but one of his seven appearances with the Cardinals this season have come in a bullpen role, Hudson should be able to provide a decent amount of length in his return to the rotation Wednesday after he covered 4.1 innings and tossed 93 pitches in relief in his most recent appearance last Thursday against the Cubs. Hudson holds a 4.19 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 19.1 innings in the big leagues on the season.