MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Bellatti to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Dylan Covey, claimed off waivers from the Dodgers this weekend, will fill the vacant 26-man roster spot. Bellatti, 31, has struggled to a 5.68 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB in 12.2 innings of relief this season at the major-league level.

Helsley (2-3) allowed an unearned run on a walk and a wild pitch while striking out three over 1.1 innings, taking the extra-inning loss Monday versus the Reds.

Helsley did his part to keep the game tied in the ninth inning, but a walk and a wild pitch put runners on the corners in the 10th. Nick Senzel then delivered a sacrifice fly for the walk-off win. This was the fourth time in 17 appearances that Helsley has given up a run, though the other three instances saw him yield multiple runs. He has a 3.15 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB while adding five saves, two holds and three blown saves through 20 innings.

Cronin (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list Tuesday at Triple-A Rochester, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

There is no official diagnosis yet, but Cronin had been struggling badly with Rochester this season after looking like one of the more promising young relievers in the Nationals' system last year. He posted a 2.42 ERA with 56 strikeouts over 52 innings between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022. Conversely, he's pitched to a 5.02 ERA and 13:14 K:BB through 14.1 frames this season.

Bednar allowed two earned runs on two hits while striking out two in the ninth inning of Monday's win over the Rangers.

Bednar entered the game to begin the ninth inning with a 6-2 lead. He allowed a leadoff single and a subsequent two-run homer, though he managed to hold the lead for the Pirates. Bednar hasn't had a save opportunity since April 29 due to the team's struggles, though he is still the locked-in closer and has a 1.50 ERA with a 0.93 WHIP and 24:1 K:BB across 18 frames this season.

Kauffmann is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Marlins at Coors Field.

Kauffmann was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque over the weekend and picked up his first MLB start in Friday's loss to the Rangers in Arlington, where he covered 4.1 innings and surrendered five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks. Despite the poor results in his MLB debut along with the fact that he had mustered a lowly 7.78 ERA over his eight starts at Triple-A prior to his call-up, Kauffmann will receive another turn through the big-league rotation. Even in NL-only leagues, the 25-year-old right-hander doesn't look to be a useful streaming option this week.

Castillo was activated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A El Paso by the Padres on Monday.

Castillo is over his shoulder issue but will remain with El Paso, where he had been on a rehab assignment. The left-hander has been terrific in the majors when healthy but has posted a 12.46 ERA in six rehab appearances.

Melancon (shoulder) began a throwing program Monday.

Melancon was diagnosed with a subscapularis strain back in March. The pitcher said there were a couple of tears, but surgery would not be required.

Mantiply (hamstring) will throw bullpen sessions Tuesday and Thursday.

Mantiply, who opened the season on the injured list with a shoulder injury, felt discomfort in his right hamstring while warming up May 11. The left-hander was effective during his brief spell off the IL, posting a 2.35 ERA with eight strikeouts over 7.2 innings.

Alexander earned a save against the Twins on Monday with a scoreless inning of work.

Giants closer Camilo Doval pitched both Saturday and Sunday, so Alexander was called upon in the ninth inning with his team up 4-1. The lefty hit the first batter he faced before inducing a double play and a lineout to wrap things up. Alexander isn't likely to see many more (if any) save chances this season, but he's been getting more high-leverage work of late, picking up three holds and two wins while allowing just one run over 7.1 frames over his past eight appearances.

Manaea (2-2) earned the win over Minnesota on Monday, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over 3.2 scoreless innings.

Manaea was recently moved to the bullpen after struggling for much of the campaign, but he took on what amounted to nearly a full starting workload Monday, tossing 83 pitches over 3.2 frames. The southpaw somewhat struggled with his control and issued three walks, but he countered that by fanning eight batters, tying his season-high mark. Manaea will likely be down multiple days given his hefty pitch count, and he could move back into the rotation or continue to pitch bulk innings behind an opener with Ross Stripling (back) recently placed on the 15-day IL.