MLB Player News

Diaz (6-3) allowed an unearned run on one walk and one hit while striking out two across 1.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Pirates.

Diaz entered the game in the ninth inning and kept the score knotted at 3-3. He remained on the mound for the 10th inning and allowed a soft bloop hit to Kevin Newman to surrender the winning run. Despite the minor setback, Diaz has maintained a 1.80 ERA with a 12:5 K:BB across 10 innings in September. He should remain locked into the closer role in the final week of the season.

Rodriguez retired the final two batters in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Phillies to record the save.

Rodriguez now has four saves since getting activated from the injured list on Aug. 26. He's seemingly moved ahead of Rowan Wick in the closer pecking order, though Brandon Hughes is also in the mix from the left side. With seven games left in the season, Rodriguez could squeeze out a little more fantasy value if he sees a few more save chances.

Finnegan (6-4) earned the win Wednesday in the extra inning against Atlanta. He allowed no runs on one hit and no walks while striking out one over two innings.

Finnegan entered the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2 and needed just nine pitches to retire the side. He remained in the game to pitch a perfect 10th inning. CJ Abrams then hit a walkoff single to earn Finnegan his sixth win of the season. The 31-year-old has been more involved in high-leverage situations of late, as he now has three saves and a win over his last six appearances.

Hicks (neck/arm) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander played catch from 150 feet Tuesday and Wednesday, clearing the way for him to advance to mound work. Assuming all goes well Friday, Hicks is then expected to throw another bullpen session Sunday in hopes of returning from the injured list next week.

Bickford was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right shoulder fatigue.

Bickford hasn't pitched since Sept. 23 when he surrendered four runs (three earned) across 1.1 innings, including Albert Pujols' 700th home run. The right-hander will miss the rest of the regular season and will be eligible to be activated during the playoffs; however, even if healthy, his 4.72 ERA doesn't make much of a case for him to be included on the postseason roster.

Almonte (elbow) was activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Almonte made three appearances during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City and has been cleared to rejoin the big-league roster. The 28-year-old has been a strong bullpen piece for Los Angeles this year with a 1.15 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

The Giants placed Garcia on the paternity list Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Garcia will spend the next 1-to-3 days away from the Giants while he observes the birth of his child. San Francisco recalled Sean Hjelle from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.

The Giants recalled Hjelle from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

San Francisco placed reliever Jarlin Garcia on the paternity list in a corresponding move to open up a spot on the 28-man active roster for HJelle. Before being optioned to Triple-A on Sept. 21, Hjelle served as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen the previous day in Colorado, covering four innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out three. He could be deployed in bulk relief once again Wednesday behind John Brebbia, who is starting but serving as more of an opener.

Brebbia will start Wednesday against the the Rockies, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Brebbia will serve as an opener Wednesday for the ninth time this season. He's fired eight scoreless frames with five strikeouts and a walk through his first eight starts, and he's likely to cover just an inning or two versus Colorado.

The Brewers recalled Topa from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Just over a week after being optioned to Triple-A, Topa will rejoin the Milwaukee bullpen after starter Adrian Houser (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Topa, who has given up two earned runs over 5.1 innings at the big-league level in 2022, will likely serve as a low-leverage reliever over the final week of the season.