MLB Player News

The Cardinals reinstated Helsley (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Helsley landed on the injured list in mid-June with a right forearm strain. Given that he has been sidelined for nearly three months and performed poorly (4 ER over 4.1 IP) during his rehab assignment, the Cardinals will likely limit him to a lower-leverage role out of the gate. Brendan Donovan (elbow) was moved to the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Brewers recalled Andrews from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Andrews has been solid out of the bullpen with a 2.57 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 49 innings with Nashville, but he got hit around badly for five runs in just two-thirds of an inning during his big-league debut July 1. He'll offer depth to Milwaukee's bullpen as the Brewers push for a division title, but Andrews will likely be limited to low-leverage outings.

The Pirates reinstated Kranick (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Kranick has spent all season on the IL while working his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent last June. The right-hander most recently made the fourth appearance of his rehab assignment Wednesday with Indianapolis and will stick around with the affiliate now that he's been activated. Kranick has covered between one and three innings in each of his rehab appearances thus far, so he could be deployed as a multi-inning reliever at Indianapolis rather than as a traditional starter.

The Pirates reinstated Mlodzinski (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Mlodzinski landed on the injured list Aug. 12 with a sore right elbow, and he'll rejoin Pittsburgh's bullpen after just one rehab appearance. The 24-year-old righty threw one inning during that assignment, allowing one unearned run on two hits and a walk while striking out a batter. He's been fairly reliable out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh when healthy and could be a source of holds during the final month of the season.

Anderson (shoulder) has begun throwing off a mound, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Anderson has been on the shelf since mid-July with a right shoulder strain but appears to be making progress. The expectation is that he should be ready for a rehab assignment the week of Sept. 11, setting him up for a late-season return. Anderson has pitched well when healthy, holding a 3.06 ERA and 36:9 K:BB over 35.1 relief innings.

The Nationals recalled Willingham from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Willingham hasn't fared well in the majors this season, surrendering 14 runs in 14 innings out of the bullpen. Nonetheless, he'll come up from Triple-A to give Washington extra bullpen depth to close out the season.

Fulmer (forearm) will play catch Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Fulmer is less than a week removed from landing on the injured list with a right forearm strain, but he's made a swift recovery and is ready to do some throwing. The reliever has a chance to return when first eligible Sept. 10.

The Cubs selected Greene's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The team has not yet announced a starter for the second game of Friday's doubleheader versus the Reds but it could be Greene, whose five appearances with Iowa were starts. He reached five innings in just one of those outings however, so Greene likely wouldn't pitch deep into the game.

Lee (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game reports.

Lee had been out since May with left shoulder inflammation but is finally ready to go following a long rehab. He will provide Atlanta manager Brian Snitker with another southpaw in the bullpen.

Iglesias notched a save against the Dodgers on Thursday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Iglesias entered in the bottom of the ninth with the daunting task of facing the top of Los Angeles' order while trying to protect a one-run lead. He was able to get Mookie Betts -- who homered twice in the game -- to fly out to deep right field before walking Freddie Freeman and giving up a hit to Will Smith. With the winning runs on base, Iglesias bounced back to retire Max Muncy and Enrique Hernandez to finish off the victory. The veteran closer hasn't blow a save since June 12 against Detroit, and since that time he's gone 17-for-17 in save opportunities while posting a 1.86 ERA and 40:7 K:BB over 29 frames.