MLB Player News

The Giants activated Hjelle from the bereavement list Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hjelle had been away from the club since Sunday. He will return to a middle relief role.

Turnbull (lat) tossed a 10-pitch bullpen session Monday at Citizens Bank Park, MLB.com reports.

Assuming Turnbull escaped the side session free of setbacks, he'll shift his rehab program to the Phillies' spring training facility in Clearwater, Fla. and continue building back up. At the time Turnbull was placed on the 15-day injured list June 27 with a right lat strain, manager Rob Thomson estimated that the right-hander would be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks. Since Turnbull doesn't look as though he'll be a realistic option to return from the IL until mid-to-late August, the Phillies have already indicated that the 31-year-old probably won't have sufficient time to get stretched out for a starting role and will likely be ticketed for the bullpen.

Kinley picked up the save in an extra-inning win over the Angels on Thursday, striking out one over a perfect 10th inning.

Kinley's number was called in the bottom of the 10th as Colorado looked to hang onto its 3-2 lead. The right-hander did not disappoint, retiring all three batters he faced on 15 pitches to secure his sixth save of the campaign and first since June 11 against the Twins. Victor Vodnik has been serving as the primary closer for the Rockies in the absence of Daniel Bard, though Kinley got the late-inning call after the former was needed in the ninth. The 33-year-old has not allowed any hits or runs in three straight appearances.

Helsley (4-4) blew the save and was charged with the loss against the Cubs on Thursday, allowing three runs on four hits over two-thirds of an inning.

Helsley entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and retired the first batter on a groundout before surrendering a solo homer to Cody Bellinger. He would then allow three of the next four batters to reach as the Cubs took the game in dramatic fashion. It marked Helsley's third blown save on the season while the loss was his fourth. He had not allowed an earned run in 10 straight appearances coming into Thursday's loss, though he's now failed to convert two of his last four save opportunities.

Iglesias notched a save against the Marlins on Thursday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Prior to Thursday, Iglesias' most recent save came on July 14. He had pitched five scoreless innings since then but hadn't gotten a save opportunity. The veteran closer didn't falter with a save in his sights Thursday, needing just 10 pitches to retire the side in order in the ninth frame. Iglesias has now converted each of his past 15 save chances and is tied for fourth in the majors with 23 saves overall on the season.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Thursday that Alzolay will undergo surgery on his right forearm, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The date of Alzolay's surgery and the type of procedure he will receive are yet to be determined, though more details will come once he receives a second opinion. The 29-year-old righty has been sidelined since May due to a flexor strain, and a return timeline likely won't be available until after the surgery.

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

It was a one-day stint in the big leagues for Loutos, who turned in a scoreless inning during Wednesday's win over the Rangers. He's clearing out to make room on the roster and in the bullpen for Shawn Armstrong, who has officially been activated after being acquired via trade from the Rays on Tuesday.

Faucher struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday during a 6-2 win over the Rays.

It wasn't a save situation, but Faucher was still the pitcher manager Skip Schumaker called upon to protect Miami's first ninth-inning lead since Tanner Scott was traded to the Padres. Andrew Nardi, who was viewed as the most likely candidate to take over closing duties, pitched the sixth inning with a two-run lead, while Anthony Bender worked the eighth after the lead was extended to four runs. Faucher has pitched well enough to be in the high-leverage mix -- over his last 15 appearances, the right-hander has posted a 1.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 14 innings.

Nardi collected his 12th hold of the season in Wednesday's win over the Rays, walking one and striking out three in a scoreless sixth inning.

The southpaw was considered the favorite to take over closing duties for the Marlins after Tanner Scott was traded to the Padres, but instead manager Skip Schumaker called on Nardi in the sixth inning Wednesday to protect a 4-2 lead. Miami wound up adding to its lead in the seventh, eliminating a potential save chance, but it still wasn't encouraging usage for any fantasy GMs hoping Nardi will pick up saves down the stretch. Anthony Bender, another potential closing option, was called on in the eighth inning after the lead was extended to 6-2 while Calvin Faucher worked the ninth, leaving the bullpen picture for the Marlins very murky.

Johnson (4-2) picked up the win Wednesday over the Brewers, allowing one hit and one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings. He struck out two.

The right-hander recorded the final out of the sixth inning in relief of Chris Sale, just in time to watch Atlanta's offense break open a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh. Johnson has given up only one earned run over his last 13 appearances dating back to June 15, posting a 0.67 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 18:4 K:BB through 13.1 innings over that stretch while pocketing two wins and two holds.