MLB Player News

Rodriguez worked around a hit to pitch a clean ninth inning and earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Rockies. He struck out one.

With the Cubs trading Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera before Friday's deadline, there was room in the bullpen for Rodriguez to make his MLB debut, which he did Friday. The 24-year-old now has his first save in the majors, and he could see more save opportunities with the Chicago relief corps fairly unsettled at the moment. Rodriguez did miss the entire 2020 season with a biceps strain, so he may see his workload carefully monitored even if he's able to earn a high-leverage role the rest of the way.

Ponce de Leon (shoulder) was credited with the win in Double-A Springfield's victory over Tulsa on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings. He also recorded a strikeout.

Ponce de Leon gave up a three-run home run but was otherwise reasonably effective while throwing 39 pitches, 25 which found the strike zone. The right-hander has now made four rehab appearances without setbacks, and given that he's likely to return to the big-league club in a long-relief role, Ponce de Leon may be deemed ready for activation without the need for any further outings at the minor-league level.

Nelson was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with right elbow inflammation.

The righty made three scoreless appearances after returning from a back injury July 25, but he now goes back on the shelf for an indefinite amount of time. It will be Nelson's third IL stint of 2021, as also he dealt with a forearm issue earlier in the season. Details about the 32-year-old's condition should become clearer in the next week or so.

The Giants designated Menez for assignment Wednesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The lefty loses his 40-man roster spot to make room for Tommy La Stella. Menez has been with Triple-A Sacramento since June 20.

Hill (5-6) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits without recording an out while taking the loss Wednesday versus Oakland.

San Diego was able to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the 10th inning, but Hill gave it away on a walkoff two-run double by Matt Olson. The 31-year-old southpaw has taken a pair of losses and blown saves each in his last five outings. He's still been fairly reliable with a 2.85 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 47:16 K:BB across 41 innings this season while collecting 13 holds and one save in 53 appearances.

Melancon allowed two runs on three hits and a walk with one strikeout in one inning, taking a blown save versus Oakland on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old failed to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning, and San Diego ultimately lost in the 10th. Melancon has made few mistakes this season -- he's 32-for-37 in save chances after Wednesday's hiccup. The veteran reliever has a 2.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 38:17 K:BB across 46 innings. He's given up six runs (five earned) in 11 innings since the start of July.

Stephenson (back) was activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Stephenson had been sidelined by tightness in his upper back since late June, but he'll rejoin the Rockies after appearing in one rehab game. The 28-year-old has a 4.56 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB across 23.2 innings this season.

Suter (10-5) allowed a hit and a walk with one strikeout in a scoreless inning, earning the win Wednesday over Pittsburgh.

The southpaw kept Milwaukee within a run with a scoreless seventh inning, and Rowdy Tellez provided a three-run homer in the bottom half of the frame. Suter has been a fairly stable option in the middle innings this year with a 2.87 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB across 53.1 innings. He hasn't allowed an earned run since July 7, but he's yielded four unearned runs in his last 12 innings. The 31-year-old reliever has added six holds while being charged with six blown saves in 42 appearances.

Williams struck out two and walked one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Pittsburgh.

The 26-year-old successfully protected a two-run lead to earn his first major-league save. Williams has stepped into the closing role temporarily while Josh Hader is on the COVID-19 injured list. In his last 11 outings, Williams has pitched 10 scoreless innings with just four hits and five walks allowed while striking out 16. He owns a 2.58 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 17 holds through 38.1 innings overall while primarily serving as the setup man for Milwaukee.

Lambert (elbow) threw a simulated game at Coors Field on Wednesday, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Lambert threw a pair of 20-pitch innings while facing hitters Wednesday, and he's slated to throw another simulated game before the Rockies determine whether he's ready to take another step in his recovery. Manager Bud Black said after Wednesday's throwing session that he still expects the right-hander to pitch in a major-league game this season, but he'll presumably require several rehab appearances before he's cleared to return.