MLB Player News

Ponce de Leon (0-2) took the loss against the Cubs on Tuesday, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven.

The right-hander flashed his impressive strikeout ability in the outing, but he struggled with his control and departed with one out in the fourth inning. He threw only 44 of 79 pitches for strikes and yielded a triple and a home run among his three hits. While Ponce de Leon has struck out 15 batters in 7.1 innings this season, he has also walked six batters and served up a pair of long balls. Still, he figures to stick in the rotation given the numerous doubleheaders the Cardinals will play in the weeks to come. His next start is scheduled for Sunday at home against Cincinnati.

Pomeranz earned the hold Tuesday against the Rangers after retiring all four batters he faced with two strikeouts.

The left-hander has been the Friars' de facto closer with Kirby Yates (elbow) potentially done for the season, but he entered for the start of the seventh inning during Tuesday's contest to face the top of the order. Emilio Pagan replaced him after 18 pitches, and Cal Quantrill was called upon for the final out of the game. Pomeranz remains the top option for saves and is perfect in four save chances this season, but manager Jayce Tingler has shown he won't stick to traditional bullpen roles and is willing to use his best arms in the highest-leverage spots, even if it's not the final inning.

Venditte was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mets with a right oblique strain.

Venditte fired 1.1 scoreless frames before showing some discomfort on his right side during a pitch, and he was unable to continue after taking a few warmup tosses. The switch pitcher should be considered day-to-day until the severity of the injury is known.

Morejon allowed zero hits and one walk over three shutout innings during Tuesday's win over the Rangers. He had four strikeouts but did not qualify for the decison.

The 21-year-old's first outing of 2020 was a successful one, as he delivered 26 of his 39 pitches for strikes while holding down the Rangers in the opener role. Morejon would presumably receive more opportunities based on Tuesday's performance, but it's unclear how the Friars plan to utilize him moving forward with the rest of the rotation currently healthy.

Mears was recalled from the alternate training site Tuesday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old will join the major-league roster for the second time this season with Yacksel Rios (shoulder) landing on the injured list. Mears allowed one run on one hit with two strikeouts and three walks over one inning during his lone big-league appearance Aug. 8.

Shafer was optioned to the Marlins' alternate training site Tuesday.

Shafer was effective over his first three relief appearances this season, but he struggled mightily over the past two games. During that time, he gave up six runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one over 1.2 innings. As a result, he'll return to the alternate squad as part of a string of moves made by the Marlins on Tuesday.

Smith was recalled from the Mets' alternate training site Tuesday.

Smith had a brief stay at the Mets' secondary site after being optioned Friday. Right-hander Franklyn Kilome was optioned to the alternate camp in a corresponding move. Smith should pitch in low-leverage situations for the Mets.

Garcia was one of 18 Marlins that tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this season who received clearance Saturday to resume baseball activities at the team's alternate training site in Jupiter, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Garcia appeared out of the bullpen in two of the Marlins' first three games before the club had its season postponed for eight days due to a team-wide coronavirus outbreak. The reliever was among those who contracted the virus, but he's since made a full recovery and has cleared all COVID-19-related protocols. He'll now turn his focus to getting his arm reconditioned for game action following a three-plus-week layoff, and once reinstated, Garcia should fill a key setup role in front of closer Brandon Kintzler.

Morejon was recalled from the Padres' alternate training site Tuesday.

Morejon was on San Diego's taxi squad and will serve as the opener for Tuesday's contest against the Rangers. The southpaw has likely been throwing with the alternate club over the start of the season, but he presumably won't be asked to take on a heavy workload in Arlington. Morejon hasn't appeared in the majors in 2020 but posted a 10.13 ERA and 2.25 WHIP over eight major-league innings last year.

The Padres are expected to deploy Patino in Tuesday's game against the Rangers as a piggyback option behind starter Adrian Morejon, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

As a 21-year-old with limited big-league experience, Morejon likely won't be asked to work more than 4-to-5 innings in what will be his 2020 debut. As a result, a piggyback arrangement between Morejon and another prized young arm in Patino may make some sense as the Padres look to keep both pitchers' workloads in check while simultaneously amplifying their performances. Patino was tagged for five runs over his first two relief appearances, but he was sharper his last time out against a tough Dodgers lineup Aug. 13, striking out two over two scoreless frames.