MLB Player News

Thompson (lat) said Friday that he's hoping to resume a throwing program within the next "week or two," Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Thompson resumed throwing in June following a setback with his left lat in May, but evidently he suffered another setback that has limited him to a strengthening program. The left-hander admitted Friday that he's still feeling discomfort, so a resumption of his throwing program by early August doesn't seem to be a given. Thompson has been sidelined all season with a high-grade left lat strain.

Doval allowed two earned runs on three hits while hitting one batter and striking out three across one inning in Friday's 8-1 defeat to the Mets.

Doval entered the game in the ninth inning, hitting the first batter he faced before striking out the next two. However, the right-hander then surrendered a ground-rule double and threw a wild pitch, allowing a run to score before giving up an RBI single. The 28-year-old has made seven appearances this month, posting a 5.63 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB with two saves and one blown save across eight innings during that span.

The Phillies designated Cusick for assignment Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Cusick will surrender his spot on the Phillies' 40-man roster to make room for Brewer Hicklen, who was acquired from Detroit on Saturday. Cusick, 25, owns an 8.34 ERA and 1.94 WHIP through 22.2 innings in Triple-A this season, making it likely he clears waivers.

Simpson (2-0) picked up the win Friday over the Brewers, striking out one in a perfect sixth inning.

The 27-year-old southpaw has emerged as a strong option in the Marlins' bullpen since his rough big-league debut June 21 against Atlanta. Over his last 10 appearances and 11 innings, Simpson has posted a 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB while recording two wins and a hold.

Flexen allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits across two innings of relief in Friday's 12-5 loss to the White Sox. He struck out two.

Shota Imanaga allowed seven runs in his three innings of work to take the loss, so Flexen was off the hook there, but the latter still continued a disappointing stretch of games. Over his last three appearances, Flexen has allowed 11 earned runs across nine innings. This included his first start of the season, when he allowed three runs over four innings against the Yankees on July 11. The rough patch has raised Flexen's ERA from 0.83 to 3.02. The veteran righty will look to get back on track soon, but his fantasy value is already limited by his long-relief role.

Casparius gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his first career save in a 5-2 win over the Red Sox. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

The right-hander got checked out for a calf injury after a shaky appearance Tuesday, but Casparius was thrust right into a high-leverage spot after an MRI came back clean and got the job done on 19 pitches (12 strikes). With Tanner Scott (elbow) and Blake Treinen (forearm) currently on the shelf, late-inning roles in the Dodgers' bullpen are wide open, and Casparius appears to be in the mix for closing opportunities along with Alex Vesia and Kirby Yates. It wouldn't be a surprise if additional competition arrived at the trade deadline, however.

DeSclafani (1-1) allowed two walks and struck out three over four scoreless and hitless innings to earn the win over Pittsburgh on Friday.

Three Diamondback pitchers combined to limit the Pirates to one hit over 11 innings in a 1-0 victory. DeSclafani was the middleman, throwing scoreless frames from the seventh through 10th innings before Kevin Ginkel closed it out. DeSclafani has worked as a multi-inning reliever and pitched at least two innings in his seven relief appearances.

Wentz (2-2) took the loss Friday against the Rangers, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

Wentz set a season high in strikeouts, and he also managed to throw a season-high 81 pitches. The 27-year-old left-hander appears close to being fully stretched out to take on a starter's workload, which should enhance his streaming appeal in deeper leagues when he's set for a favorable matchup. Wentz owns a 5.56 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 42:23 K:BB across 45.1 frames, and he's next tentatively lined up to face a Royals team with an .888 OPS versus left-handed pitching since the start of July.

Helsley was awarded the save Friday against the Padres, allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Called upon to protect a three-run lead, Helsley worked around a single to notch his 21st save of the season and second in as many nights. While the 31-year-old has had some hiccups this year, converting 21 of 26 save opportunities, he's been sharp recently, giving up just one earned run across his last 10 appearances, as the Cardinals continue to lean on him in high-leverage spots.

Halvorsen threw a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-5 win over the Orioles. He did not record a strikeout.

Halvorsen was asked to preserve a one-run lead in the ninth and did so on only 11 pitches. While a five-run blowup against the Red Sox on July 9 still lingers, the 25-year-old has converted five straight save chances and posted seven scoreless outings in nine appearances since last blowing a save June 19. For the year, he's 10-for-13 in save opportunities with a 4.89 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 35:18 K:BB across 38.2 innings.