MLB Player News

Poncedeleon tossed a complete-game shutout Sunday in Triple-A Memphis' 8-0 win over Omaha. He gave up one hit and two walks and struck out five.

The 26-year-old has earned wins in each of his last four starts for Memphis, accruing a 1.38 ERA and 0.77 WHIP in 26 innings over that span. After delivering his first career shutout -- the first of the nine-inning variety by a Cardinals minor-league pitcher since 2016 -- Poncedeleon's next stop could be with the big club. St. Louis will open its second-half schedule Thursday with a five-game series with the Cubs featuring a doubleheader Saturday. Poncedeleon would be a logical option to serve as the Cardinals' 26th man for the twin bill and make a spot start in one of the contests.

Garcia (wrist) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley over the weekend, making two appearances and giving up two runs on three hits over 1.2 innings.

The 31-year-old, who owns a 4.74 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 24.2 innings for the big club this season, has been on the shelf since June 12 with the strained right wrist. Garcia may make another appearance or two in the minors before likely rejoining the Phillies shortly after the All-Star break.

Strahm tossed three innings in relief Sunday in the Padres' 7-4 loss to the Cubs. He gave up one unearned run on one hit and a walk and didn't strike out a batter.

Strahm helped keep the Padres competitive after manager Andy Green pulled the plug on starter Eric Lauer, who lasted just two innings and gave up five runs. The 26-year-old lefty has been stellar this season while working as an occasional spot starter and long reliever for the Padres, accruing a 2.34 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 34.2 innings.

The Nationals optioned Gott to Triple-A Syracuse following Sunday's 6-1 win over the Mets, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Gott was only up with the Nationals for one day and went unused out of the bullpen in the victory. His demotion opens up a spot on the active roster that will likely be filled by Stephen Strasburg (shoulder), who is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list to start the Nationals' first game out of the All-Star break Friday against the Braves.

Suarez (3-6) took the loss against the Athletics on Sunday, giving up four earned runs on four hits over five innings, striking out five and walking two in a 6-2 loss for the Giants.

Suarez had been on a roll coming into this start, as he was in the midst of a streak of four straight outings in which he had given up just one earned run and thrown at least 5.2 innings. However, Oakland was able to get to him for four earned and tag him with his sixth defeat of the season. It's still been a solid first half of the season for Suarez, who sports a 3.94 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP and 82 strikeouts through 89 innings.

Minter is expected to pick up increased save opportunities after the Braves' primary closer, Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder), was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Vizcaino experienced renewed inflammation in his right shoulder and was placed on the DL for the second time in less than a month on an account of the injury. Given the recurring nature of Vizcaino's setback, it seems likely that he'll miss more than the minimum 10 days, likely affording Minter and Dan Winkler more ninth-inning looks. Minter's left-handedness might be viewed as a mark against him in his bid to close games, but he has held right-handed hitters to a palatable .266/.349/.344 batting line this season while whiffing nearly a batter per inning. The rookie has also aced the prior save chances he has had this season, converting all four of his opportunities.

De Los Santos allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over 4.1 innings Sunday as he didn't factor into the decision against the Marlins.

De Los Santos cruised through four scoreless innings before falling apart in the fifth, as he managed to record just one out while giving up five before exiting with a one-run lead. The 22-year-old right-hander has made two starts in 2018, and he figures to head back to the minors in the near future as Zach Eflin (finger) should be close to full health coming out of the All-Star break. De Los Santos sits with a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with eight strikeouts over 10.2 innings as the first half of the season comes to a close.

Jansen did not allow a baserunner and struck out one to earn his 27th save of the season Sunday against the Angels.

Jansen bounced back after taking the loss Saturday, needing just 12 pitches to close out the Angels. While his ratios have rebounded, Jansen has allowed three earned runs while also taking a loss and blowing a save across his last 10 appearances. It's hard to be overly concerned, however, as he enters the All-Star break tied for the National League lead in saves with Wade Davis.

Hicks earned a save Sunday, working around one run on two hits in the 6-4 win over the Reds.

Hicks has allowed seven runs over the last 3.1 innings, bringing his ERA up from 2.42 to 3.56. He's just 2-for-6 in save chances this season, but none of those four botches came in a ninth-inning situation. There was a speculative report from Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that normal closer Bud Norris might've been having arm trouble before Sunday's game and might not have been available for this opportunity. Hicks, 21, has been erratic for much of the year but has found form recently, and with the Cardinals' managerial change, perhaps Hicks has a renewed opportunity for closures -- or perhaps this was a brief substitution for Norris. The 21-year-old flamethrower has greatly improved his command, walking just one batter in 7.1 innings this month, so maybe he'll play a bigger role with save chances under the new skipper. He's worth a speculative pickup in many fantasy leagues.

The Rockies activated Estevez (elbow) from the 60-day disabled list Sunday and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Colorado cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for Estevez by outrighting reliever Brooks Pounders to Triple-A. After being sidelined all season with an oblique injury followed by the left elbow strain, Estevez will have to prove his worth a little while longer at Albuquerque before rejoining the big-league bullpen.