MLB Player News

Helsley (3-3) was tagged with the loss Monday against the Dodgers after allowing two runs on two hits in one-third of an inning.

Helsley began the sixth inning following the departure of Jack Flaherty (side) but looked woeful, tossing just seven of 14 pitches for strikes and recording only one out before being lifted. He's on a poor run at the moment, having given up two or more runs in three of his last four relief appearances while allowing at least one run in five of his last seven. Helsley owns an 18.00 ERA and a 3.00 WHIP during that seven-game stretch (five innings).

Manager Dave Roberts said after Monday's 9-4 win over the Cardinals that Treinen wasn't available out of the bullpen due to an unspecified injury, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. "There was a little something in his pregame, his body didn't feel right, and we wanted to give him an extra day," Roberts said.

Roberts' comments wouldn't seem to suggest Treinen is dealing with a major concern, so the expectation is that he'll be good to go for the final two games of the series with St. Louis. Treinen was lit up for three runs while recording only two outs in his last appearance Friday against the Giants, ending a streak of 10 straight outings in which he hadn't allowed an earned run.

Thompson allowed an earned run across 2.1 innings of relief in Monday's win over the Padres. He gave up three hits and struck out three.

Thompson came into the contest having not allowed a run through his first 15 innings pitched this season, so he was probably due to let someone cross the plate. But the righty still pitched well and owns a spectacular 0.52 ERA. Thompson has given the Cubs valuable length out of the bullpen, as he's retired four or more batters in six of his 10 appearances. Expect the 26-year-old to stick around as long as he's pitching this well.

Graterol (forearm) pitched a scoreless, 11-pitch inning with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

The righty induced two groundouts and a flyout en route to a 1-2-3 inning. This marks a positive step toward the return of Graterol, who has pitched just 1.1 total innings with the Dodgers in 2021. Upon activation, Graterol figures to have a substantial, high-leverage role out of an injury-riddled bullpen.

Martin pitched a perfect inning with one strikeout to earn a hold in Monday's 5-3 win over Washington.

Martin made his first appearance since May 23, as he held been held out of action while managing vaccine side effects. The right-hander has been excellent when healthy with a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB across 7.2 innings this season. He missed over a month with a shoulder injury, but his performance suggests he'll be in the mix for high-leverage work.

Smith pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save in Monday's 5-3 win over Washington.

After a so-so start from Charlie Morton, Atlanta's bullpen allowed just one hit over the last four innings of the game. Smith was able to close it out, and he remains a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities. He's had some shaky moments this year with a 1-4 record, 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB through 22 appearances.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said after Monday's 3-2 win over Detroit in 10 innings that Williams wasn't available out of the bullpen due to an unspecified issue, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. "Devin was a 'no,'" Counsell said. "He just didn't feel good [Monday], so we stayed away from him."

After claiming National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2020, Williams has taken a big step back in 2021, logging a 4.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB in 19.1 innings. The right shoulder injury Williams developed shortly before the playoffs last season may be having some effect on his downturn in velocity, command and control, but for now, the Brewers aren't indicating that he's being held out due to any concerning physical issue. Milwaukee could stay away from Williams again in Tuesday's series finale with Detroit, which would allow him to pick up another day of rest during Wednesday's off day.

Menez was recalled by the Giants on Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Menez joined the major-league roster for a doubleheader in early May but failed to make an appearance. He'll now rejoin the Giants after Scott Kazmir (personal) was placed on the restricted list Monday. Menez has made four appearances (three starts) for Triple-A Sacramento this year and has posted a 6.48 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in 8.1 innings.

Beede (elbow) has a 5.40 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 16:14 K:BB through 13.1 innings during his rehab stint with Triple-A Sacramento.

The right-hander has yet to pitch more than three innings in any of his six appearances. He's eligible to come off the 60-day injured list Monday, but based on the results so far, he'll likely continue rehabbing. Beede last pitched in the majors in 2019, when he had a 5-10 record with a 5.08 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 117 innings. An official timeline for his return to the Giants' roster has yet to be announced.

Mears was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Mears was recalled from Indianapolis on May 26, but ultimately never made an appearance for Pittsburgh. Chad Kuhl (shoulder), who is slated to start Monday's game against the Royals, will be activated to take his roster spot.