MLB Player News

Kimbrel allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief Wednesday against the Reds.

Kimbrel worked the ninth inning, though it wasn't a save situation with the Cubs down 3-0. While the veteran reliever still has an unsightly 7.36 ERA, he's now posted three straight scoreless innings with six strikeouts since giving up two runs and blowing a save on Aug. 29. Jeremy Jeffress and Rowan Wick have taken over closing duties in Chicago, but if Kimbrel can continue to pitch well, he could still see some high-leverage duty as the Cubs move toward the postseason.

Iglesias pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Cubs.

Iglesias got groundouts from Willson Contreras and Anthony Rizzo before a popout by Javier Baez ended the contest. The 30-year-old Iglesias had blown a save his last time out, so it's encouraging to see him put together a clean inning. He has a 4.11 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and six saves in eight tries this year.

Shafer was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Wednesday.

The right-hander was optioned to the alternate training site in mid-August and has now been removed from the 40-man roster. Shafer surrendered eight runs on eight hits with a 5:4 K:BB over 5.2 innings for the Marlins this season.

Kelly (shoulder) demonstrated "really good command" during his pitching session Tuesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kelly's command was an issue the last time he pitched to live hitters, so Tuesday's success is an encouraging sign that the right-hander is rounding back into form. He is scheduled to throw again Thursday and could be activated soon thereafter, though he'll need to serve his five-game suspension before he is eligible to return to game action.

Mantiply was optioned to the Diamondbacks' alternate training site Wednesday.

Mantiply will return to alternate camp after a rough outing Tuesday in which he gave up three runs on one hit and two walks while striking out zero over one-third of an inning. Right-hander Joel Payamps was recalled by the Diamondbacks to take his place in the major-league bullpen.

Payamps was recalled by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Payamps was sent to the alternate training site Thursday, but he'll return to the major-league bullpen just under a week later. Southpaw Joe Mantiply was sent down in a corresponding move. Payamps will likely pitch in low-leverage situations for the Diamondbacks.

Helsley, who surrendered two earned runs on two hits over an inning while recording a strikeout in the first game of a doubleheader against the Twins on Tuesday, now has a 10.80 ERA across 3.1 innings in his first three appearances since returning from the COVID-19 injured list.

Helsley had opened the season with a pair of perfect appearances before his and the Cardinals' seasons were both sidelined due to the team's coronavirus outbreak. The hard-throwing right-hander's struggles since his return underscore the notion the month-plus layoff particularly affected him; Helsley came into the season riding high off an impressive rookie campaign during which he posted a 2.95 ERA and didn't give up an earned run in more than two consecutive appearances over 36.2 innings.

Gsellman was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib Wednesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Gsellman was initially believed to have sustained a left oblique injury, but he'll likely be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a fractured rib. The right-hander struggled this season with a 9.64 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 9:8 K:BB over 14 innings during six appearances (four starts). Drew Smith was recalled by the Mets to take Gsellman's place in the bullpen.

The Mets recalled Smith from their alternate training site ahead of Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

He'll join the New York bullpen as a replacement for Robert Gsellman, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib. Smith has made eight relief appearances for the Mets this season, giving up five earned runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings.

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

Ponce de Leon was called up from the alternate site Tuesday and designated as the 29th man for the Cardinals' doubleheader with Minnesota. He started the second game of the twin bill, working three innings and giving up two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four in a no-decision. Though he'll move back to the alternate site to give St. Louis some short-term roster flexibility, Ponce de Leon will likely re-enter the rotation for next week's series in Milwaukee, which features doubleheaders Sept. 14 and 16.