MLB Player News

Helsley (shoulder) has responded well to treatment and has now been cleared to resume playing catch, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Helsley is scheduled to come off the injured list next Sunday, and if he can avoid a cortisone shot, he may just meet that timeline. The right-hander received an anti-inflammatory upon being sidelined June 13, and it appears that's led to considerable improvement to this point.

Yates picked up the save against the Brewers on Monday, tossing a scoreless ninth inning without allowing a baserunner to close out the Padres' 2-0 victory. He struck out one.

Yates continued his lights-out campaign by recording his 25th save of the season, retiring the side on just 13 pitches to successfully protect San Diego's two-run advantage. He still has yet to blow a save this season, and has yielded just four earned runs in 31 innings, giving him a sparkling 1.16 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP to go along with his elite 52:8 K:BB.

Hicks worked a perfect ninth inning in a non-save situation during Monday's win over Miami.

Hicks needed just seven pitches to make quick work of Miami's 4-6 hitters by forcing three straight groundouts. The flame-throwing closer lowered his ERA to 3.33 with 27 strikeouts in 24.1 innings. He's also 14-for-15 in save chances with a tight grip on St. Louis' closing job.

Hernandez (0-2) yielded two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings Monday, striking out six and taking the loss against St. Louis.

Hernandez had a pretty solid night in St. Louis, with the lone earned run allowed coming from a Matt Carpenter solo blast. He needed 101 pitches to get through six frames, but 78 of those were for strikes. The 24-year-old righty owns a strong 13:2 K:BB in 13.2 innings this season. Hernandez will carry a 3.95 ERA into Saturday's start in Philadelphia.

Ponce de Leon will start Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

Ponce de Leon allowed just one run over four innings in his last outing Friday against the Mets, so even though he failed to work deep into the ballgame, the Cardinals have handed him at least one more start. Alex Reyes has been the other candidate to take the fifth spot in St. Louis' rotation, but he continues to struggle with his command at Triple-A Memphis.

Jansen won't be available to pitch Monday against the Giants, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Jansen has pitched each of the last three days, so the Dodgers have elected to give him Monday off to rest. Pedro Baez or Julio Uras may get an opportunity in a save situation should one arise, per Gurnick.

The Cardinals transferred Mayers (lat) to the 60-day injured list.

The transaction has no bearing on Mayers' timeline to return from a right lat strain, as he's already missed more than two months with the injury. Mayers has resumed mound work, throwing a pain-free bullpen session Monday. He could soon be ready to face hitters, which would put him on track to begin a minor-league rehab assignment before the end of the month.

Lamet (elbow) advanced his rehab to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four batters in five innings.

Lamet hasn't been great through four rehab starts, allowing 12 runs in 14 innings, though he does have 18 strikeouts. His rehab assignment will be up before the end of the month, though there's no guarantee he heads straight to the big leagues at that point.

Jansen worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing a hit and a walk.

One day after blowing his third save of the season, Jansen this time closed out the Cubs to earn his 21st save. It was hardly an easy outing, however, as he opened the inning by allowing a single and a walk before a pair of groundouts and a tough diving catch by Alex Verdugo sealed the win. Jansen now ranks second in the majors in saves despite a 3.34 ERA that would be the highest of his career.

Yates struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless inning of work to earn his 24th save of the season Sunday against the Rockies.

In a high-scoring game, Yates made quick work of the final frame, throwing eight of nine pitches for strikes as he retired the side in order. Yates leads MLB relievers in saves this season and has dominated to the tune of a 1.20 ERA. Combined with his 15.4 K/9, these elements make him one of the top fantasy options at his position.