MLB Player News

VerHagen (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

It was announced Thursday that VerHagen will require season-ending surgery on his hip, so the move to the 60-day IL was no surprise. The 31-year-old inked a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Cardinals after spending the previous two seasons in Japan, and he struggled in his return to the majors with a 6.65 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 18:14 K:BB across 21.2 innings.

Naile was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Naile was called up as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader, so it's no surprise he's headed back to the minors. The 29-year-old didn't allow a baserunner over two-thirds of an inning Thursday and has given up only two hits with a 4:0 K:BB across six major-league frames overall this year.

Lamet was claimed off waivers by the Rockies on Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Lamet was acquired by the Brewers in the trade that sent Josh Hader to San Diego on Monday, but he was designated for assignment just two days later after the Brewers added more relief depth. Lamet has had a poor 2022 campaign, struggling to a 9.49 ERA and a 14.5 percent walk rate in 13 relief appearances at the big-league level, but the Rockies have little reason not to take a flier on a pitcher who has flashed plenty of potential both as a starter and as a reliever.

Hicks (3-5) earned the win in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Cubs. He allowed a run on a hit and two walks in one inning.

The Cubs tied the game at 2-2 against Hicks in the seventh inning, but Tyler O'Neill's three-run home run in the bottom of the frame put the Cardinals ahead again. In his last 5.1 innings, Hicks has surrendered seven runs on five hits, four walks and two hit batters. He had some promising results in early July after moving back to the bullpen, but his recent form is likely to keep him in a middle-relief role. For the season, the right-hander owns a 4.93 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 38:28 K:BB across 42 innings through 20 appearances (eight starts).

Helsley (6-1) earned the win in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Cubs. He allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning.

Helsley kept the game tied at 3-3 in the top of the ninth inning, and Lars Nootbaar delivered a walkoff single in the bottom of the frame. Save chances haven't been that prevalent for the Cardinals lately -- Helsley last recorded one July 23, though he's strung together an 8.1-inning scoreless streak in his last eight outings. The hard-throwing righty owns a 0.62 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 66:12 K:BB with nine saves, six holds and three blown saves through 43.1 innings.

Nance (groin) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and will begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Nance landed on the injured list July 24 but is closing in on a return. It's not yet clear how many rehab appearances the right-hander will make, but it's possible that he rejoins the Marlins' bullpen as early as next week.

Junis (4-3) allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across 3.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Dodgers.

Junis surrendered only one run before being pulled, but he labored throughout the start. He allowed multiple baserunners in each of his last three frames and needed 79 pitches to record 14 outs. Junis has failed to complete more than 4.1 innings in any of his three starts since being activated from the injured list July 16. Overall, he has a 3.05 ERA with a 53:14 K:BB across 62 innings for the season.

Kimbrel allowed one earned run on one hit while striking out one to earn the save Thursday against the Giants.

Kimbrel was handed a three-run lead in the ninth inning and managed to hang on to record his 20th save of the season. He has successfully converted his last six chances and turned in eight scoreless efforts across 10 total appearances since July 9. Kimbrel has a subpar 4.26 ERA with a 54:16 K:BB across 38 innings on the season, though he continues to have a firm grasp on the closer role in Los Angeles.

Sadzeck signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Sadzeck was designated for assignment by the Brewers on July 25 and elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment. He's now found a new opportunity and could make his way to the big-league roster in Washington by season's end.

Diaz allowed a hit and struck out three over two scoreless innings to earn the save in Thursday's 6-4 win over Atlanta.

This was just the third time this year Diaz has been asked to get more than three outs. He was fresh, having not pitched since July 29, and he didn't show any rust in a typical shutdown performance. The Mets closer has not allowed a run in 16.1 innings since June 22, and he's converted 10 of his 24 saves this season in that impressive span. Overall he owns a 1.44 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 87:12 K:BB through 43.2 innings.