MLB Player News

Pomeranz opened Saturday's 2-0 win over the Reds and tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout.

Pomeranz only needed nine pitches to work through the opening frame, and the lefty set up bulk pitcher Ben Brown, who followed with six scoreless innings of his own. Pomeranz has now made 15 appearances for the Cubs this season covering 13.2 innings and has yet to allow any earned runs. That's made the veteran a valuable reliever working in front of Daniel Palencia, who has emerged as Chicago's top closing option in recent weeks.

Palencia tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to secure the save in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Reds.

Palencia now has five saves on the season, and all of them have come in the past 10 days. The righty is pitching well with a sparkling 1.74 ERA and 0.77 WHIP, and he's emerged as Chicago's top closer for the time being due to Ryan Pressly struggling earlier in the year and Porter Hodge (oblique) being on the injured list. Hodge's return could complicate things at the back end of Chicago's bullpen, though it seems like Palencia has done enough to hold onto the job, at least if he continues to perform at a high level.

Hall took a no-decision as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Friday's 6-2 win over the Phillies, tossing three scoreless, no-hit innings and giving up one walk while striking out four.

Since being reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday, Hall has made two appearances, giving up one earned run over 5.1 innings. Though he was being built up a starter during his minor-league rehab assignment, Hall looks like he could fill a hybrid role that includes occasional opener assignments as well as more traditional relief appearances. Hall ended up working in tandem Friday with Quinn Priester, who covered the final six innings en route to notching his second win of the season.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Hodge's (oblique) recovery has been slowed down by a hip impingement, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

The Cubs skipper noted that the oblique strain that put Hodge on the IL in the first place has been fully resolved, though the reliever's newest injury makes it unclear when he might be ready to return. The team will try to have him throw off a mound again during the week, and he'll require a few rehab outings before being activated.

Zastryzny will be available out of the bullpen Saturday versus Philadelphia, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers initially planned to use Zastryzny as an opener Saturday, but they'll now run with Chad Patrick as their starter. Zastryzny has yet to allow a run in five innings since returning to Milwaukee.

The Marlins reinstated Cronin (hip) from the injured list Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville.

A hip strain has kept Cronin on the injured list all season, and although he's given up just two earned runs in eight innings during his rehab assignment, the Marlins are going to keep him in the minors now that he's fully healthy. Miami doesn't have a particularly deep bullpen, however, so Cronin could definitely work his way back into the majors if he continues to perform well in Jacksonville.

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Graceffo has struggled mightily in the big leagues this season, accumulating a 7.47 ERA and 1.40 WHIP through 15.2 innings with St. Louis. He'll now attempt to get back on track in Triple-A, and Roddery Munoz will come up to fill the vacancy in the Cardinals' bullpen.

The Cardinals recalled Munoz from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Munoz has given up four earned runs in 4.2 innings with the Cardinals this season, and he also owns a 5.06 ERA through 21.1 frames in the minors. Despite his performance, he'll rejoin the big club to give St. Louis' bullpen another fresh arm, replacing Gordon Graceffo.

Zastryzny will serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Phillies, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Zastryzny struck out two batters in a scoreless inning when the Brewers used him as an opener May 19 against Baltimore, and he'll now aim for similar success while facing off against the top of Philadelphia's order. Chad Patrick is expected to follow Zastryzny as a bulk reliever.

Lord recorded his first hold of the season in Friday's win over the Diamondbacks, giving up a hit and two walks while striking out three over two scoreless innings.

Entering the game in the seventh inning with the Nationals ahead 8-6, Lord threw 32 pitches (19 strikes) while providing a bridge to closer Kyle Finnegan. Lord's bounced between the rotation and a long-relief role this season, but Washington manager Dave Martinez appears to be willing to experiment with Lord as a high-leverage option in a Nats bullpen that needs all the late-inning help it can get. The rookie right-hander has earned the audition with a 1.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB over his last six appearances and nine innings, an impressive turnaround after he got tagged for multiple earned runs in seven straight trips to the mound.