MLB Player News

The Padres are targeting early August for Lamet's (forearm) return from the 10-day injured list, and he's most likely to work out of the bullpen as a multi-inning reliever upon being activated, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. "At the end of the day, the rotation is some place I want to get back to, but I'm here to help the team. I'm here to help the team win," Lamet said, regarding a potential move to the bullpen. "So, if that's what my role is right now and that's what I need to do to help, of course I'm going to do it."

Though Lamet avoided offseason surgery to address the elbow/forearm injury that cropped up last September, he's incurred multiple setbacks in 2021 and has had his workloads monitored carefully when available, as he's covered more than four innings in only one of his nine starts to date. Lamet looks to be making good progress in his recovery from forearm inflammation, but the Padres don't seem inclined to have him ramp up for starting duty. Since Lamet would most likely be excluded from the three- or four-man rotation the Padres expect to roll out in the postseason, manager Jayce Tingler is incentivized to have the right-hander get acclimated to working out of the bullpen over the final few weeks of the regular season. Even if Lamet takes well to the role and quickly becomes a key part of the bridge to closer Mark Melancon, the 29-year-old's fantasy value would still take a hit if he does in fact transition from starting to relief duty.

Diaz struck out three batters and walked one in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday, securing a save over the Blue Jays.

Diaz issued a one-out walk to Vladimir Guerrero but still locked down his 21st save of the season. He converted two saves in the weekend series against Toronto after blowing his previous three chances. The 27-year-old now owns a 4.08 ERA with a 58:17 K:BB while going 21-for-25 in save opportunities this season.

Atlanta plans to call up Wilson from Triple-A Gwinnett to start the second game of Monday's doubleheader with the Mets, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Wilson will presumably be designated as Atlanta's 27th man for the twin bill, just as he was for last Wednesday's doubleheader with the Padres. He also started the second game of that doubleheader, working four innings in the outing while giving up five runs on eight hits and no walks. The depleted Atlanta pitching staff could surely use another capable arm, but Wilson still looks like he'll be the odd man out of the rotation when the team will be able to scale down to five starters following Monday's twin bill. He's submitted a 6.46 ERA and 1.70 WHIP across his seven starts in the majors in 2021.

Kelly tweaked his hamstring in the ninth inning of Sunday's win over the Rockies, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kenley Jansen had pitched on three of the last four days, so Kelly entered Sunday's game in the ninth inning for the save opportunity. The right-hander allowed one hit and no walks while striking out one in a scoreless inning to earn the fourth save of his career and his first since 2019. However, manager Dave Roberts revealed after the game that Kelly suffered a hamstring injury while fielding a grounder, and he'll be evaluated Monday.

Sims (elbow) will make his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Sims is ready to begin the final phase of his recovery process from the right elbow sprain that has kept him on the shelf for the past month. He'll likely need to make at least two appearances at Louisville before rejoining the Reds, but once activated, Sims should factor into the late-inning mix for the big club. Before the injury cropped up, Sims registered seven saves in nine chances on the season, but he'll likely be behind Heath Hembree in the bullpen pecking order upon returning.

Curtiss struck out two batters in a perfect inning as the opener in Sunday's win over the Padres.

Curtiss needed just 10 pitches to set down the top of San Diego's lineup in order. He lowered his season ERA to 2.56 with a 40:9 K:BB through 38.2 innings. The 28-year-old righty will move back to the bullpen but could be used as an opener again at some point soon with Trevor Rogers (back) on the injured list.

Kimbrel retired a single batter to secure the save in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Chicago started the ninth inning with Dillon Maples, but he allowed a run and put another two runners on base with two outs, so the Cubs turned to Kimbrel to end the threat. The veteran reliever now has 23 saves this season in 25 chances, and he has an elite 0.50 ERA. After down years in 2019 and 2020, Kimbrel has reclaimed his spot as a top fantasy option.

Helsley (5-4) retired both batters he faced, one by strikeout, to earn the win Sunday versus Cincinnati.

After a wild effort from Johan Oviedo, Helsley was called upon to get the last two outs of the fifth inning. He did so on just six pitches, and that was enough for the 27-year-old to collect the win. Helsley has been solid in his last 20 innings, allowing six runs while posting a 14:9 K:BB in that span. For the year, he has a 4.79 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 37:24 K:BB in 41.1 innings, but he's improved throughout the season. The right-hander has added one save, one blown save and seven holds.

Hand (5-4) allowed two runs on one hit and one walk in a third of an inning to take the loss against the Orioles on Sunday.

Hand entered Sunday's game in the bottom of the ninth inning to preserve a one-run lead, but he hit Maikel Franco on a two-strike count to lead off the frame before giving up two runs as he failed to convert on his save chance. The southpaw earned a win and picked up a save in his first two outings after the All-Star break, but he's allowed four runs (three earned) in 2.1 innings across his last two appearances, and he's been charged with back-to-back losses.

Topa (elbow) is progressing well in his rehab but is still several weeks away from a return, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Topa was recently transferred to Double-A Biloxi to continue his rehab assignment, and he's now made four total rehab outings since July 13. Across those appearances, the righty has allowed one hit and no walks while striking out seven in four scoreless innings. Although the Brewers are pleased with Topa's strong results, he'll likely head to Triple-A Nashville at some point before a potential return from the injured list around mid-August.