MLB Player News

Thompson (back) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Thompson threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, and manager David Ross hopes that the right-hander will return to game action at some point in 2022. It's possible that Thompson will throw a simulated game or embark on a rehab assignment shortly after Friday's throwing session.

Duarte (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Duarte has been sidelined with an elbow issue since mid-April, but he now appears to be trending toward a return. The right-hander will presumably require multiple rehab appearances, but it's possible that he'll be available out of the Reds' bullpen late in the regular season.

Wilson didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, working six innings as a bulk reliever and giving up four runs on seven hits, including two home runs. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The right-hander entered the game in the second inning after Duane Underwood had spotted New York a 1-0 lead, and Wilson made the hole deeper by coughing up four more runs in the fourth. He's been charged with at least three earned runs in seven of eight appearances since the All-Star break, posting a 5.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 38.2 innings over that stretch.

Underwood (1-6) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up one run on two hits in one inning. He struck out one.

Working as the opener ahead of Bryse Wilson, Underwood wound up with the decision as the Pirates never tied things up and eventually lost 5-1. The right-hander has been tagged for runs in four straight appearances, and since the beginning of August he carries a 5.82 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and poor 11:8 K:BB through 17 innings.

Thompson (back) completed a live batting practice session Tuesday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Following the throwing session, Cubs manager David Ross reiterated that he wants to see the 27-year-old right-hander back on the mound this season, even though Thompson's 104.1 innings in 2022 have nearly doubled up his total from 2021. With that in mind, the Cubs are likely to keep a six-man rotation intact whenever Thompson and Justin Steele (back) are cleared to return from the 15-day injured list, and it's possible that both pitchers could have a turn or two skipped over the final month of the season. Before Thompson is activated, however, he'll likely first have to throw a simulated game or make a minor-league rehab start, which could happen as soon as this weekend.

Mantiply allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Padres.

At a time when manager Torey Lovullo indicated the team's closer situation is "fluid," per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, Mantiply is experiencing his worst stretch of the season. The left-hander has allowed runs in five of his last eight outings, posting a 12.71 ERA while allowing two home runs over 5.2 innings.

Brogdon earned a save against the Marlins on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.

Brogdon entered in the ninth inning with Philadelphia up by two runs and immediately allowed the lead to be halved on a Jacob Stallings solo homer. He surrendered a single to the next batter but rebounded to retire the next three Marlins and secure the save. Seranthony Dominguez (triceps) is on the injured list and David Robertson threw 65 pitches over the past three days, which explains why Brogdon -- who had only one save coming into Wednesday -- was called upon to close. He isn't likely to see many more save opportunities moving forward.

Hader pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Hader was solid, retiring the side on nine pitches against the Diamondbacks' two most productive hitters of the night -- Daulton Varsho and Corbin Carroll -- as well as pinch hitter Carson Kelly. The save was Hader's second in his last three appearances, though he's allowed one run in three innings in that span in the non-save opportunity. Notably, Nick Martinez pitched the eighth inning Wednesday, earning a hold. Hader's at a 6.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 68:20 K:BB through 41.2 innings this year between the Brewers and the Padres. For now, the Padres' bullpen looks like a committee, though it's clear Hader's in the mix for save chances.

Finnegan (5-3) allowed five runs on four hits and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Cardinals.

With a four-run lead, manager Davey Martinez elected to bring Finnegan in for a non-save situation. The move backfired spectacularly, as the Cardinals rallied for five runs and a walkoff win. This ended Finnegan's 9.1-inning scoreless streak, which dated back to Aug. 13, though he hadn't pitched since Sept. 1 entering this appearance. The meltdown raised his ERA to 3.79 with a 1.23 WHIP and 57:21 K:BB through 54.2 innings. He's added eight saves and 13 holds this year, and it's unlikely one blunder will see Finnegan removed from a high-leverage role.

Abbott allowed a run on five hits and no walks while striking out five over 4.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Abbott was solid, but Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run to account for the lone run on the right-hander's line. Abbott pitched two scoreless innings of relief over two appearances since the start of the month, most recently Sept. 4; therefore, he was likely to face at least some restrictions. He still threw 88 pitches (56 strikes) and fared well against a division-leading club. Abbott carries a 4.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB through 31 innings into his next outing, which tentatively projects as a home start versus the Orioles next week if he remains in the rotation.