MLB Player News

Cubs manager David Ross said Monday that Thompson (back) will be activated from the 15-day injured list within the next couple of days and will be used out of the bullpen, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Since Thompson landed on the injured list Aug. 20 with lower-back tightness and didn't start his rehab assignment until this past weekend, he didn't have enough time to get stretched back out for a traditional starter's role. He's at least healthy now and will be able to finish the season on the field, with the Cubs likely to deploy him as a multi-inning arm out of the bullpen. In his lone rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa, Thompson struck out four while allowing an earned run on one hit and one walk over 2.1 innings.

The Brewers optioned Kelley to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Kelley loses his 26-man roster spot after yielding two runs in 2.1 innings Sunday against the Yankees. Having posted a 6.08 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 23.2 big-league frames this year, the 28-year-old appears unlikely to see much more action with the Brewers in 2022.

The Brewers recalled Cousins from Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Cousins posted a 2.84 ERA and 17:6 K:BB in 11 appearances for Triple-A Nashville after being sent down Aug. 24. Having also pitched to a 4.50 ERA in eight big-league games this season, the righty should see some action out of the bullpen and, maybe in a pinch, some high-leverage work.

Hildenberger (undisclosed) was reinstated from Double-A Richmond's 60-day injured list Friday and was assigned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Hildenberger, who had been sidelined all season before making one rehab appearance in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Aug. 5 and another at Single-A San Jose on Sept. 11, finally looks to be healthy again. He'll look to end the injury-plagued campaign on a high note at Triple-A with the hope of earning another minor-league deal with the Giants or another organization heading into 2023.

Farmer didn't strike out a batter but pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save during Sunday's win over the Cardinals.

Farmer hasn't had many high-leverage looks out of Cincinnati's bullpen this season, and Sunday's save was just his second of the season and his first since July 31. Although he's worked mainly as a middle reliever, he's been a strong contributor for the Reds over the last month and a half, posting a 0.44 ERA in 20.2 innings over his last 20 appearances. Alexis Diaz has been the favorite for save chances in Cincinnati, but it's possible that Farmer earns a few more high-leverage opportunities down the stretch as long as he continues to limit run production.

Brebbia (6-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on a hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Sunday versus the Dodgers.

Brebbia couldn't keep the game tied in the 10th inning, and the Giants weren't able to pull even again in their half of the frame. The loss is Brebbia's first since June 15, an impressive stretch of relative effectiveness, especially since he's made six appearances as an opener this year. The right-hander has made a National League-leading 69 appearances this season, covering 62 innings with a 2.90 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 49:18 K:BB. He's added 18 holds and three blown saves, essentially serving as a setup option when he's not opening games.

Bruihl retired the only batter he faced to earn the save in Sunday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Giants.

Andre Jackson was initially given the save chance with a two-run lead, but he allowed three of the five batters he faced to reach base. He left the game with the bases loaded, and Bruihl was able to get LaMonte Wade on a groundout to end the contest. The save was Bruihl's first in his major-league career, and his first at any level since 2019 when he logged two saves in Single-A. The Dodgers used seven relievers in this contest, with regular closer Craig Kimbrel pitching the ninth inning, so Bruihl shouldn't be expected to see many additional closing chances. He's given up two runs across four innings in four appearances since he was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier this month.

Kimbrel (5-6) earned the extra-inning win over the Giants on Sunday, pitching a perfect inning with one strikeout.

Kimbrel worked the ninth inning to keep the game tied, and the Dodgers took the lead in the 10th. The right-hander hadn't pitched since blowing a save Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks, but it appears that outing was a speed bump and the not the start of another slump. Kimbrel has a 3.96 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 64:22 K:BB through 52.1 innings while adding 22 saves in 27 chances.

Uelmen tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Rockies. He allowed two hits and struck out four.

Uelmen, who made his MLB debut back in July, set a new career high with the four strikeouts. The righty has exclusively pitched in relief for the Cubs, and he now has a 4.98 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 21.2 innings. The 26-year-old could be in the mix for an Opening Day bullpen role in 2023 if he impresses in the last few weeks of this season, though his fantasy value seems limited at this point.

Assad (1-2) allowed four runs on two hits and four walks while striking out three in two innings, taking the loss Sunday versus the Rockies.

Assad yielded three runs in the first inning and a solo home run to Connor Joe in the second. This was the second time in his last three starts he's yielded four runs, which account for both of his losses through six appearances this year. The rookie right-hander has posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 21:14 K:BB through 23.1 innings. He's still likely to feature in a starting role if the Cubs stick with a six-man rotation. Assad is tentatively lined up for a favorable road start in Pittsburgh next weekend.