MLB Player News

Helsley (2-2) earned the win Monday versus the Diamondbacks, allowing one hit and striking out one without walking a batter in a scoreless inning.

Helsley has allowed just one unearned run over his last six appearances, though that led to a loss. He was able to back into the win Monday, keeping the game tied in the top of the ninth inning before Nolan Gorman hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the frame. Through 12 appearances, Helsley has a 2.25 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 13:1 K:BB while converting seven of his eight save chances.

Simpson will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair the ulnar nerve in his left elbow, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It's expected to be around three months before Simpson will be ready to pitch in games again, so this will put him out at least until after the All-Star break. The southpaw initially suffered the injury during spring training and made an unsuccessful attempt at resting and rehabbing the injury before eventually opting for surgery.

The Cubs will recall Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa prior to Tuesday's game versus the Astros, Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register reports.

He'll join Matt Mervis in being added to the big-league roster. There's no word at this point what the corresponding moves will be, but Wesneski can't be recalled unless he's replacing an injured player. The right-hander tossed four scoreless innings in an extended relief outing last week in Arizona, picking up a win in the process.

Beck (arm) isn't expected to be cleared to resume throwing until May, MLB.com reports.

Beck has been on the injured list all season after he underwent surgery March 4 to address an aneurysm in his upper right arm. Though he's been cleared to increase the extent of his conditioning work nearly two months since having the procedure, Beck still isn't able to play catch. He's due for a follow-up appointment with a vascular specialist May 1, after which he may be cleared to start a throwing progression. The Giants aren't anticipating Beck making his return from the 60-day IL until after the All-Star break.

Middleton (forearm) played catch from 110 feet Saturday and Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The Cardinals haven't followed up about how Middleton responded to his latest long-toss session, but assuming he didn't experience any complications with his strained right forearm, he could soon be cleared to start throwing off a mound again. Middleton hasn't pitched since suffering the injury in a March 7 Grapefruit League game, but once healthy, he's expected to be a key part of the late-inning bridge to closer Ryan Helsley.

Nelson allowed one run on one hit without retiring a batter in Monday's 5-3 loss to St. Louis.

Nelson's outing lasted one pitch, a hanging slider that Nolan Gorman sent over the right-center field fence for a walk-off, two-run home run. This was the third consecutive appearance in which Nelson allowed at least one run after he opened the season with 9.1 scoreless innings.

Thompson (0-1) was tagged with Monday's loss to the Cardinals, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one over one-plus innings.

Thompson executed a perfect 1-2-3 eighth inning before giving up a leadoff infield single to open the bottom of the ninth. He was replaced by Kyle Nelson for a lefty-on-lefty matchup, but the at-bat lasted one pitch -- Nolan Gorman tattooed a hanging slider for a walk-off, two-run home run. Thompson has pitched well thus far, posting a 1.86 ERA with four holds through 10 outings (eight scoreless). He'll continue to serve in a setup role for Kevin Ginkel for now, and eventually for Paul Sewald (oblique) when he's ready to return.

Mears (0-2) allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one to take the loss Monday against the Padres.

Mears was on the mound for the second consecutive day, this time in the eighth inning with the task of keeping the score knotted at 1-1. He got two outs across the first three batters he faced but then allowed a double and a pair of singles to account for the damage and take his second loss of the season. Mears has looked to be in the mix for saves and has been used in high-leverage spots early on this season, though this outing won't help his case.

Suarez earned a save against the Rockies on Monday, giving up two hits in a scoreless inning of work.

Suarez entered in the ninth inning with San Diego up by two runs and found himself in some trouble when two of the first three batters he faced notched a hit. However, the right-hander got Ryan McMahon to ground into a game-ending double play to escape the jam without a run charged to his ledger. Suarez has now competed eight straight scoreless appearances, and he's given up just one run over 10.2 frames on the season. With eight saves, he is tied with Clay Holmes for first in the majors in that category.

Iglesias picked up the save Monday against Miami. He pitched a clean inning with one strikeout.

Iglesias continued his sterling start to the campaign Monday night with an uneventful save against the Marlins. He needed only 11 pitches to set down Josh Bell, Jesus Sanchez and Tim Anderson in order for his seventh save, tying him for the NL lead. Iglesias has pitched to a 2.16 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 6:1 K:BB over 8.1 innings.