MLB Player News

The Marlins optioned Castano to their alternate training site Saturday.

Castano's demotion came one day after he served as the 29th man for the Marlins' doubleheader with the Nationals. He picked up his sixth start of the season in the second game of the twin bill, giving up three runs on five hits and no walks over 4.1 innings. Since Miami has no more doubleheaders on its schedule, Castano won't be eligible to pitch for the big club in the final week of the season unless the Marlins place a player on the injured list.

The Cardinals optioned Ponce de Leon to their alternate training site Saturday.

St. Louis designated Ponce de Leon as its 29th man for Friday's doubleheader with the Pirates. The right-hander started the second game of the twin bill and struck out nine for his second appearance in a row while working five innings and giving up two runs in a no-decision. Though he was sent down immediately after the outing, Ponce de Leon will likely rejoin the big club to make another start in the team's final doubleheader of the season this upcoming Friday against the Brewers.

Gallegos, activated from the injured list earlier in the day, allowed an earned run on two hits, a walk and a wild pitch over two-thirds of inning in a loss to the Royals on Monday. He struck out two.

The right-hander had a rough landing in his return to action, allowing an RBI double to Jorge Soler that plated Adalberto Mondesi to extend the Royals' lead to 4-1 in the home half of the eighth. Gallegos ended up throwing 21 pitches overall in the extended outing, his first since Sept. 10 against the Tigers. Gallegos has now allowed at least one run in three straight appearances dating back to Sept. 8, but he'd put together a near-flawless season prior to those stumbles and is still presumably a candidate for higher-leverage work than he saw Monday over the final days of the campaign.

Crowe will serve as the 29th man for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Crowe has spent three separate stints on the Nationals' roster this season. The latest lasted just one day, as he joined the team to start the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader against the Marlins before being optioned the following day. He threw just 2.1 innings in that game, so he should be available for multiple innings if needed out of the bullpen Tuesday.

Howard (shoulder) felt good after throwing a bullpen session Monday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard has already spent the required 10 days on the injured list with a sore right shoulder. He has a chance to return for the final weekend of the season, though he'd likely be limited to a bullpen role.

Melancon gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his 11th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Marlins.

The veteran closer has been scored upon just once in his last 10 appearances, although his 5:1 K:BB through 10 innings during that stretch isn't exactly dominant. On the year, Melancon now sports a 2.18 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, and he's blown only one of his 12 save chances.

Matzek (4-3) picked up the win in Monday's 5-4 victory over the Marlins, walking two and striking out three over two scoreless innings of relief.

Huascar Ynoa got the start but left after three innings due to a cracked fingernail on his pitching hand, opening the door for Matzek to enter the game with Atlanta ahead and earn credit for the win. The southpaw has made a successful return to the majors this season, posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 38:9 K:BB through 26.2 innings, primarily in middle relief.

Hudson (forearm) is set to meet with Dr. George Paletta in St. Louis on Tuesday regarding the next steps in his recovery, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander's regular season is deemed to be over, but Hudson will naturally hope to have his recovery completed as soon as possible so as to be able to enter spring training in 2021 without restrictions. The 26-year-old put together a third consecutive solid showing during the abbreviated 2020 campaign that included a 2.77 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and career-best 20.5 percent strikeout rate, and he's poised to be a pivotal part of the rotation again next season, if healthy.

Wilson will start Tuesday's game against the Marlins, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Wilson was recalled Monday afternoon, and he won't need to wait long before seeing big-league action. He's appeared in four games so far this season, posting a 7.04 ERA and 2.09 WHIP with six punchouts across 7.2 frames.

Alzolay was recalled by the Cubs on Monday.

Alzolay spent a week and a half at the Cubs' alternate training site, but he'll rejoin the major-league bullpen after Ildemaro Vargas (hamstring) was placed on the injured list Monday. The right-hander should be available out of the bullpen Monday and could provide a relief option Tuesday as starter Jose Quintana (lat) could be on a pitch count.