MLB Player News

Poncedeleon picked up the save against the Royals on Friday, working around three walks and two hits to fire three scoreless innings and close out the Cardinals' 7-0 victory. He struck out one.

The right-hander's three-inning save was his first save of any kind this season. He's sporting a 1.23 ERA and 0.89 WHIP through 14.2 innings, so if he continues to put up ratios like that in a long-relief role, he could make a case for a rotation spot during the stretch run. That case could be bolstered by the fact that he threw seven scoreless innings in his only start of the season so far back on July 23. It should be noted, however, that he's currently sporting a 8:9 K:BB, so it's doubtful his ratios will stay that pristine if he doesn't start to limit the free passes.

Strop earned his ninth save of the year after tossing a scoreless ninth inning Friday against the Nationals, striking out one.

Strop was called on to hold a one-run lead and did just that, working around his own error to shut the door. He's done a very good job filling in for Brandon Morrow, whose return timetable from his biceps injury remains unclear. Strop and his 2.74 ERA and 9.0 K/9 should remain a capable closing option for the foreseeable future.

Blach is an option to start Saturday against the Pirates, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Blach hasn't started a game for the Giants since May. He has a 4.90 ERA in 60.2 innings as a starter this season but a 3.18 ERA in 34 innings of relief.

Holmes was called up by the Pirates on Friday to make his scheduled start against the Giants.

As expected, the 25-year-old will take the hill opposite Derek Holland. Holmes has a 3.65 ERA and 10:8 K:BB in 12.1 innings for the Pirates this season.

Law was sent down to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Law will head back to Sacramento after allowing three earned runs on three hits and one walk across a four-out relief appearance against Pittsburgh on Thursday. On the year, he's posted a rough 8.74 ERA across 11.1 innings of work. The Giants will make a corresponding move prior to Friday's contest.

Jansen (chest) was placed on the 10-day DL on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Jansen was moved to the disabled list as he begins treatment for an irregular heartbeat. The right-hander is expected to remain sidelined for about a month while dealing with this issue. Scott Alexander and Kenta Maeda will likely share the ninth-inning duties during his absence.

Alexander is expected to split time with Kenta Maeda as the Dodgers' closer while Kenley Jansen (chest) is sidelined, Andy McCullough of The Los Angeles Times reports.

Jansen will likely be sidelined for a month as he receives treatment for an irregular heartbeat, which will thrust Alexander into an expanded role. Though Maeda is set to receive a chance to close as well, he is starting Friday's game in Colorado and will need a few days to rest before joining the bullpen, so look for Alexander to serve as the club's top ninth-inning option this weekend. Through 52 appearances, Alexander has accumulated a 3.27 ERA and two saves this year.

Venditte was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers have yet to officially announce the move, but it's expected that Venditte will take the place of Kenley Jansen (chest) on the active roster. Venditte has appeared in five games for the Dodgers this year, logging an 8.31 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in just 4.1 innings of relief. Look for him to be utilized in low-leverage spots.

Brebbia was placed on the 10-day DL retroactive to Monday due to right forearm tightness, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Though the Cardinals announced that Brebbia was sent down to Triple-A Memphis earlier in the week, the club changed the transaction to put him on the shelf instead. St. Louis has yet to offer up a timetable for his return, but he will be eligible to come off the DL on Thursday.

Barraclough was placed on the 10-day DL on Friday due to lower-back stiffness, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Barraclough will be eligible to return from the shelf Aug. 19 prior to the series finale in Washington. It's unclear as to when he suffered this injury, though the right-hander has been in the midst of a rough patch as of late, logging a horrendous 22.24 ERA and 3.53 WHIP across his past seven outings dating back to the All-Star break.