MLB Player News

Nance was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right groin strain, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Nance presumably sustained the injury during Saturday's appearance against the Pirates when he allowed two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning. The 31-year-old will now be unavailable for at least the next couple weeks.

Helsley struck out three in 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Reds.

Helsley got the final out of the eighth inning and then struck out the side in the ninth. He's allowed only one unearned run in 9.2 innings in July while posting an impressive 15:2 K:BB this month. The 28-year-old continues to dominate as the Cardinals' top closer. He's up to nine saves in 12 chances with six holds, a 0.67 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and 60:12 K:BB across 40.1 innings.

Hoffman was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with right forearm stiffness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Hoffman presumably suffered the injury Saturday against the Cardinals when he delivered a scoreless inning. The severity of the injury remains unclear, though the 29-year-old will be eligible to be reinstated Aug. 8.

Pomeranz (elbow) threw 19 pitches in a simulated game Saturday, the Associated Press reports.

Pomeranz has recently been throwing from a mound with batters in the box, but this was the first time hitters have taken swings against him. The left-hander is recovering from flexor tendon surgery and has yet to pitch this season, so he figures to need plenty of ramp-up time before returning to game action for the Padres.

Garcia earned a hold against the Mets on Saturday by retiring both batters he faced in the eighth inning.

Garcia came on with a runner on first base and one out, and he induced a pair of groundouts to preserve a 2-0 lead. He's been a bit shaky with five earned runs allowed over his past eight outings, but the right-hander has still managed four holds over that span. Garcia is tied for seventh in the majors with 16 holds on the campaign.

Ferguson earned a hold against San Francisco on Saturday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.

Ferguson has yet to allow a run over 11.1 innings this season, but he found himself in danger Saturday as a result of allowing a walk and a single with two outs. However, the lefty reliever got Joey Bart to line out to center field, keeping the scoreless streak intact. The hold was his fifth of the campaign and his second since returning from the injured list July 6.

Alvarado (3-2) took the loss in Saturday's game against the Cubs, allowing five runs (three earned) on two hits while striking out one and walking none over one-third of an inning.

Alvarado was called in to pitch in the 10th inning of a tied game, and he took the loss after allowing four runs to cross the plate on a fielder's choice, a single and a fielding error. His ERA ballooned from 4.39 to 5.33 in the contest, though he has a 3.86 ERA in July.

Robertson (3-0) earned the win Saturday against the Phillies, allowing no runs on no hits while striking out one and walking none across one inning.

Robertson, Chicago's primary closer, was called in for the ninth inning during a tied game. He sent down Philadelphia's 4-5-6 hitters and was granted the win after the Cubs took the lead in the 10th. It was Robertson's third win of the year. He has 13 saves and five blown saves, but he continues to be the clear closer with Rowan Wick having four saves and no other Cubs reliever having more than one.

Rogers earned a save against the Mets on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

It was hardly a clean outing for Rogers -- he was the only Padres pitcher to surrender a run in the game, and he allowed New York to put the tying run on third base -- but the left-hander nonetheless emerged with his second save in as many days. He's successfully converted each of his past five save opportunities despite giving up three runs over five innings during that span. Rogers leads the majors with 28 saves on the season.

Bednar earned a save against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing one walk and striking out two batters in one scoreless inning.

A sixth-inning run gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead heading into the ninth frame, and Bednar was summoned to preserve the shutout. He issued a one-out walk but managed to keep Miami off the scoreboard. Bednar yielded five runs (four earned) and blew a save in his final 3.2 innings prior to the All-Star break, but his grip on the closer role in Pittsburgh appears to be secure. He's racked up 17 saves on the campaign, sixth-most in the National League.