MLB Player News

The Cubs transferred Almonte (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Almonte suffered a setback in his recovery from a right shoulder strain this past week. He remains without an updated return timeline, but his move to the 60-day IL suggests the 30-year-old righty isn't expected back relatively soon. The Cubs signed Vinny Nittoli to an MLB deal Thursday to fill the open spot on the 40-man roster.

The Cardinals optioned Roycroft to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Roycroft will return to Memphis after he was called up ahead of the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with Atlanta to serve as the Cardinals' 27th man for the twin bill. He struck out two and collected his first career hold in a perfect inning out of the bullpen in the Cardinals' 4-1 win in Game 2.

Nittoli agreed to a one-year contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The Cubs will hope that Nittoli can bolster a bullpen that ranks 24th in the majors this season with a collective 4.52 ERA. The 33-year-old previously made seven appearances in the big leagues with the Athletics this season, logging a 2.25 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in eight innings prior to being moved off the 40-man roster and electing free agency last week.

Ferrer (shoulder) was sent to the Nationals' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Thursday to begin a rehab assignment.

Ferrer has been out all season with a strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder but has finally been cleared for game action. The lefty's rehab assignment should be fairly lengthy given how much time he's missed, and he's not a given to be added to the major-league roster once his time on the 60-day injured list is over.

Doval picked up the save over the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing one hit over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out one.

Doval entered the contest with a one-run lead in the ninth and surrendered a leadoff single to Dansby Swanson before retiring the next three batters in succession to secure his 14th save of the campaign. The right-hander has now converted each of his last five save attempts and has allowed only one baserunner over his last three appearances. Doval has also posted at least one strikeout in three consecutive outings.

Chapman struck out two without allowing a baserunner across a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds on Wednesday.

Chapman entered the game in the ninth inning with a five-run lead, marking his first appearance since Saturday. He struggled to begin the season but has pitched well for significant stretches, most recently allowing two earned runs across 8.2 innings in June while posting a 13:4 K:BB. Chapman should see most of Pittsburgh's save chances while David Bednar (oblique) is sidelined.

Wesneski did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Giants on Wednesday, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk over four innings while striking out seven.

Wesneski got off to a solid start, striking out four of the first six batters he faced before surrendering back-to-back home runs to Michael Conforto and David Villar in the second. The right-hander would go 1-2-3 through the next two innings before being relieved by Drew Smyly to open the fifth, though the former would still finish with his second-highest strikeout total of the season. It also marked Wesneski's longest outing since May 8 against the Padres when he went six innings.

Houser picked up a save in the Mets' 12-2 win over the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out three batters over three scoreless innings.

Houser entered with the Mets holding an eight-run lead and cruised the remainder of the way to notch the first save of his career. The right-hander threw 44 pitches in the outing, and he's tossed at least two frames in all but one of his eight appearances since returning to the bullpen May 26. Houser has thrived since making that transition, allowing just three earned runs across 20.2 innings.

Helsley allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in a 4-1 win over Atlanta in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader.

Helsley allowed two runs in Monday's game versus Atlanta, but he was able to keep his save streak going. The right-hander has converted his last 28 save attempts after blowing his first chance of the year. He's now at a 2.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB through 36 innings. Helsley has allowed six hits and issued 10 walks over 11 innings in June, but he's been scored on in just two of his 11 appearances this month, so his place as the Cardinals' closer is not in doubt.

Liberatore (2-2) earned the win over Atlanta in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out eight over six scoreless innings.

Liberatore threw 85 pitches (54 strikes) in his longest outing of the season, which also earned him his first quality start. It was an impressive showing for the southpaw, as it was initially believed the Cardinals would be putting together a bullpen game for the nightcap. Liberatore had allowed three runs over his previous 4.1 innings entering Wednesday. He's now at a 3.86 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 36:16 K:BB through 44.1 innings over 27 appearances (five starts). Liberatore will likely return to a relief role soon unless the Cardinals opt to include him in a six-man rotation.