MLB Player News

Alzolay picked up the save Friday against St. Louis, tossing a scoreless ninth inning. He didn't record a walk or strikeout.

Alzolay entered with a one-run lead and proceeded to retire Lars Nootbaar and Paul Goldschmidt in order before Nolan Arenado reached on a fielding error. Alzolay then plunked Willson Contreras to put the go-ahead run on base but secured the save by retiring Tyler O'Neill. The right-hander has run away with the Cubs' closing job since May 6, going 7-for-8 in save chances while posting a 28:4 K:BB across 26.1 innings during that stretch.

Scott will remain in a high-leverage role for the Marlins after manager Skip Schumaker gave a vote of confidence to A.J. Puk as the team's closer Friday, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

The southpaw relievers have been trending in opposite directions lately, as Puk has given up seven runs with two losses and two blown saves over his last five appearances, while Scott has a 0.00 ERA and 13:2 K:BB through seven innings in July. Nonetheless, Schumaker will stick with Puk in the ninth inning for now, but if his struggles continue, Scott appears to be the next man up for save chances.

Fulmer will serve as the Cubs' opener Saturday versus the Cardinals, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Fulmer threw 15 pitches in relief for the Cubs during Friday's 4-3 win over St. Louis, so he'll probably only cover the first inning of Saturday's tilt. The 30-year-old right-hander holds a 4.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 46:21 K:BB through 42.2 frames on the season.

Brebbia (lat) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this weekend, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It will be the first mound work for Brebbia since he landed on the injured list June 17 due to a Grade 2 lat strain. If all goes well with his throwing program, the 33-year-old right-hander should be an option again for the Giants in the early part of August, or maybe even before the end of July.

Jackson (back) is likely to be activated from the injured list this weekend, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Jackson has joined up with the Giants in Washington following a two-appearance rehab stint in the Arizona Complex League, where he tallied five strikeouts across a pair of scoreless innings. He's been on the shelf since June 25 with a lower-back strain after also missing much of the first half of the season while completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Puk will remain the team's closer for the time being, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Puk served up a walk-off home run in extra innings in his last appearance and has an 11.12 ERA so far in July. Meanwhile, Tanner Scott has been one of the best relievers in baseball for a while now, posting a 0.79 ERA and 19:3 K:BB in 11.1 innings over his last 10 appearances. While Schumaker is sticking with Puk in the ninth inning, Scott will be used in high-leverage spots earlier in games.

Antone (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment July 25, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It's not clear what affiliate he'll be assigned to or how many appearances he might need, but his rehab assignment could last a full 30 days considering how much time he's missed. Antone hasn't pitched anywhere since August 2021 following Tommy John surgery and then a flexor strain.

Doyle was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

His demotion is the corresponding move for the promotion of Friday's starter, Peter Lambert. Doyle tossed four scoreless relief innings this month during his brief time with the big club.

Lambert was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

He will start for the Rockies on Friday in Miami, taking the rotation spot vacated by Connor Seabold, who has been demoted to the bullpen. Lambert is no safe bet to be an upgrade, having collected a 6.29 ERA in 34.1 innings this season at the major-league level.

VerHagen (hip) could be activated from the 15-day injured list as soon as Saturday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

VerHagen allowed one run over one inning in his first rehab appearance with Double-A Springfield on Thursday, and it sounds like it might be the only rehab outing he needs before returning to the big-league bullpen. The righty holds a 4.78 ERA and 38:18 K:BB over 37.2 relief innings for the Cardinals this season.