MLB Player News

Bass will start Friday's game versus Atlanta, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

The right-hander will start Friday's contest as manager Don Mattingly employs a bullpen game after starter Zach Thompson (illness) was scratched. Bass won't provide much length given he hasn't pitched more than one inning during any appearance this season. He has a 4.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 29:15 K:BB across 32.2 frames.

Garcia signed a major-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday.

The veteran righty has had some effective seasons in the past, and his career 4.26 ERA in 315 innings at the highest level is respectable enough, but it's unclear how much he has left in the tank at age 34. He threw just 8.1 innings for the Rangers last season, struggling to a 7.56 ERA, and he's yet to make his season debut this year. He's pitched well enough in 17.1 innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees' system, posting a 3.63 ERA and 27.5 percent strikeout rate, so he could still be useful in lower-leverage situations for his new team.

Abbott was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Abbott was only with the big-league club for two days and got knocked around in his lone appearance, allowing four runs in three innings of relief against the Phillies on Thursday. He now owns a 6.35 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 11.1 innings thus far in his rookie season.

Melancon (2-1) won Thursday's 9-8 game against the Nationals, pitching one inning and permitting a walk.

Melancon entered an 8-8 tie in the top of the ninth and did his job by keeping Washington off the board, then became the winner when San Diego walked it off in the bottom of the inning. The MLB saves leader has proven to be an extremely reliable option as the Padres have lost only three of the 37 games Melancon has pitched. He should remain a go-to option for manager Jayce Tingler for the foreseeable future.

Williams (6-1) struck out two in a perfect inning, earning the win in Thursday's victory over Cincinnati.

Williams did his job to keep the game tied through the top of the eighth, and Avisail Garcia put Milwaukee ahead in the bottom half of the frame. In his last seven outings, Williams has produced some solid value with four wins and three holds. The setup man has a 3.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 51:20 K:BB across 32.1 innings this season. He's added 15 holds and three blown saves in 36 appearances.

Hader struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-3 win over Cincinnati.

The lefty took his first blown save of the year in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Mets. Manager Craig Counsell showed no hesitation to turn back to Hader on Thursday, and the 27-year-old was back to his usual dominant self. He's now 21-for-22 in save chances with a 0.78 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 59:12 K:BB across 34.2 innings.

Alzolay (4-9) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five in five innings as he took the loss versus Philadelphia on Thursday.

The right-hander didn't get a ton of help from the Cubs, who were limited to five singles and three walks in the contest. Alzolay gave up two of the three home runs Brad Miller hit in the game -- which is the fourth straight time he's allowed multiple homers in a start. Alzolay has a 4.66 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 81:22 K:BB through 77.1 innings overall.

Kranick is likely to start the second game of the team's doubleheader Saturday against the Mets, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Kranick was originally slated to start Friday in the same matchup. He has yet to officially be named the starter Saturday, though it is expected he will only have his appearance pushed back one day after Thursday's contest was postponed. Kranick delivered five perfect innings in his major-league debut June 27 against the Cardinals.

Ramirez was placed on the 10-day injured list with left rotator cuff inflammation Thursday.

Ramirez was roughed up as a reliever in Wednesday's loss to the Nationals, as he gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits and no walks while striking out one in two innings. His shoulder issue may have contributed to his struggles, and he'll now be sidelined through the All-Star break. It's not yet clear whether the southpaw will need to spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the shelf, but he'll be eligible to return shortly after the break.

Lamet (forearm) won't return prior to the All-Star break, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Lamet has been feeling better recently and resumed playing catch last week, but he won't start during the team's weekend series against the Rockies. If the right-hander remains on track in his recovery, he could return to the Padres shortly after the All-Star break.