MLB Player News

Nelson (shoulder) is expected to pitch in an instructional league game before being shut down for the year, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It's now been exactly a year since Nelson injured his shoulder, and it looks all but certain that he'll miss the entire 2018 season. The plan is for him to pitch in some simulated games in Arizona and then throw in the instructional league before finishing his season. He'll have the goal of making the Brewers' Opening Day rotation next season, though with an absence of this length, even that can't be fully guaranteed.

Hicks (3-4) allowed a game-winning two-run homer to Jeimer Candelario and one other hit over 1.1 innings in a loss to the Tigers on Friday. He struck out two.

Hicks is one of several candidates for the closer's role following Bud Norris' recent struggles, but he came up short in his own right Friday. The hard-throwing rookie cruised through the first four batters he faced over the eighth and ninth innings before allowing a single to Victor Reyes. Candelario then launched a 102 mph sinker -- the first pitch he saw -- 361 feet to left to send the Tigers home winners. The stumble snapped Hicks' four-appearance scoreless streak, although he was able to notch multiple strikeouts for the third time in his last five outings. Given his electric stuff, Hicks projects to continue seeing ninth-inning opportunities despite his struggles Friday.

Boxberger recorded the final two outs against the Braves on Friday to earn the save.

Andrew Chafin collected the first out of the ninth frame before Boxberger was called upon to take care of the final two outs in the 5-3 victory over the Braves. Despite a handful of shaky outings recently, Boxberger still appears to have a hold on the closer duties in Arizona. He has a 3.88 ERA to go along with 68 strikeouts in 48.2 innings this season.

Kennedy surrendered four runs on one hit and four walks while striking out two across 1.2 innings Friday against the Reds. He didn't factor into the decision.

Kennedy didn't appear to have his command, tossing just 20 of 44 pitches for strikes. He was coming off a stellar outing against the Rockies (six shutout innings), but he failed to build off the success he found last time out. Through six starts this year, Kennedy owns a 6.75 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with 18 strikeouts over 26.2 frames.

Mayers (shoulder) will have his minor-league rehab assignment pushed back to Saturday due to the stomach flu.

Mayers has been on the shelf since Aug. 26 with shoulder inflammation. He was slated to pitch Friday at Triple-A Memphis, but after coming down with a case of the stomach flu, he'll have to wait until Saturday. This is a minor setback for the 26-year-old, and he still could return to the big leagues in the near future if he feels good after pitching for the Redbirds.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo reiterated after Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Braves in 10 innings that Boxberger would remain the team's closer despite turning in another shaky outing, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports. "He is still our closer. He's going to get save opportunities," Lovullo said of Boxberger. "He's going to be the main guy that I'm looking at to get that [saves] column filled up, all right?"

Though Lovullo pledged his commitment to Boxberger, the skipper's usage of the 30-year-old Thursday seemingly didn't support his statement. With the game tied at 6-6, Boxberger was summoned from the bullpen to begin the 10th inning and retired the first two batters, then allowed a base hit, infield single and walk to load the bases. Rather than allowing his closer to work out of the jam, Lovullo pulled Boxberger from the contest and turned to Yoshihisa Hirano, whose wild pitch allowed the Braves to take the lead. Though Boxberger has taken the loss in each of his past two appearances, it's worth noting that he's exited both times with the score unchanged from when he entered the game, as the reliever pitching after him has given up the go-ahead run. Lovullo's reluctance to let Boxberger clean up his messes suggests a lack of faith in the closer, who hasn't performed well enough in the second half to enjoy a long leash. Over his 15 appearances since the All-Star break, Boxberger has converted seven of nine save chances and has turned in a 6.39 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 6.4 BB/9. Hirano and Archie Bradley would be the most likely candidates to pick up saves in the event Lovullo eventually opts to make a change at the back of the bullpen.

Castillo (2-2) was the winning pitcher after firing a scoreless inning with a strikeout against the Reds on Thursday.

Starter Eric Lauer was only deployed for four innings, so the official scorer deemed Castillo's scoreless appearance worthy of the victory. Kirby Yates and Craig Stammen are firmly entrenched as the Padres' top late-inning options, but Castillo is making a strong case for a larger role next year after posting a 2.67 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 11.6 K.9 over 30.1 innings.

Biddle allowed two earned runs on three hits to blow the save Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

With both Dan Winkler and A.J. Minter -- the two pitchers who had previously appeared to be the favorites to record saves for the Braves -- getting roughed up on Wednesday, Biddle was called upon in the ninth inning to close out a two-run lead. However, he allowed a leadoff double that eventually came around to score and a solo home run to Paul Goldschmidt to blow the save chance. It was only Biddle's fourth save opportunity of the season, and now that he has converted only one successfully it appears unlikely that he will see many more chances in the closer role this season.

Chavez allowed two baserunners but pitched a scoreless 10th inning with two strikeouts to record the save in Thursday's win over the Nationals.

With Pedro Strop getting used in the bottom of the ninth inning, Chavez got the call for the 10th with the Cubs up 6-4. The 35-year-old gave up a hit and a walk to get into some trouble, but he also struck out Washington sluggers Bryce Harper and Juan Soto. Chavez now has a strong 2.92 ERA this season, and he's been a welcome addition to the Chicago bullpen since coming over in late July.

Strop (5-1) pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts and grabbed the win when the Cubs prevailed in 10 innings over the Nationals on Thursday.

Strop hasn't allowed a run in his past five appearances, and he's picked up two saves, a hold and a win during the stretch. The 33-year-old has done a great job filling in for Brandon Morrow (biceps) as the Cubs' closer, as he now has a sparkling 2.37 ERA this season.