MLB Player News

Neris struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Sunday's 5-0 win over the Angels.

Neris was credited with the save after Luke Little loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth inning. Neris struck out Zach Neto on four pitches to end the threat. This is the second stretch of the season in which Neris has avoided giving up a run over five consecutive appearances, with this scoreless streak at 4.1 innings. He has a 9:2 K:BB in that span, and for the season, the closer is up to 12 saves with a 4.06 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 33:22 K:BB across 31 innings.

Wesneski (3-5) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over 6.1 innings, earning the win Sunday over the Angels.

Wesneski had allowed eight runs over nine innings across his previous two starts, but he took advantage of a favorable matchup Sunday to earn his first win since April 25. The right-hander is now at a 3.67 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 53:20 K:BB through 56.1 innings over 23 appearances (six starts). Wesneski is likely to remain in the rotation as the Cubs continue to navigate a rough stretch of injuries, and he's tentatively projected for a road start in St. Louis his next time out.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Kelly (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list until after the All-Star break, the Associated Press reports.

Kelly tossed a pair of scoreless innings in his first two rehab appearances for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday and Friday before rejoining the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He tossed a simulated inning Sunday, but Roberts noted that the right-hander wasn't sharp, as he hit two batters during the outing. Roberts hasn't indicated that Kelly will be shut down, so the 36-year-old will presumably link back up with a minor-league affiliate during the upcoming week to make another rehab appearance or two before the Dodgers entertain his return to the bullpen after the break.

Chapman (1-4) blew a save and was tagged with Sunday's loss to the Mets. He allowed two runs on two hits, three walks and two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning.

Chapman entered with a one-run lead in the ninth but loaded the bases and gave up a go-ahead two-run single to Francisco Lindor. Chapman was erratic with his control as he matched his season high with three walks and threw 40 pitches, his third-most in an outing in his career. The veteran has been the Pirates' closer since David Bednar went down with an oblique injury, but this is now three straight outings in which he has given up at least one run.

Ortiz did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Mets. He threw six shutout innings, giving up four hits and striking out five.

Ortiz is making a strong case to keep a spot in the Pirates rotation, especially with Bailey Falter recently hitting the IL with arm discomfort. Ortiz was given his second start of the season Sunday, and for the second time he hurled six impressive frames as the opener. The 25-year-old is pitching to a 2.95 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 61 innings in his third big-league season.

The Mets acquired Gage from the Dodgers on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations. He was subsequently optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

The Dodgers added Gage to their 40-man roster last week, and he was quickly shipped off to another organization. The left-hander has a 4.29 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 27:12 K:BB over 21 innings at the Triple-A level this season.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that he anticipates Bednar (oblique) reporting to Triple-A Indianapolis this week to begin a rehab assignment, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Bednar has been on the 15-day injured list since June 23 with a left oblique strain, but he's on the cusp of a return after he threw a 21-pitch live batting practice session Saturday without incident. Cherington didn't say whether Bednar would require more than one rehab appearance with Indianapolis, but with the All-Star break looming, it wouldn't be surprising if the Pirates waited until the start of their second-half schedule July 19 before activating their closer.

Double-A Harrisburg reinstated Brzykcy (elbow) from its 60-day injured list Monday.

Brzykcy has struck out two while allowing two hits and one walk over two scoreless innings across two appearances since making his 2024 debut for Harrisburg. The 24-year-old rejoined Harrisburg after recently finishing up a six-week rehab assignment at the Nationals' lower-level affiliates while he completed his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last summer. The relief prospect has a spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster, but the organization likely isn't counting on Brzykcy making any major contributions to the big-league bullpen in 2024.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

The right-hander was called up by Los Angeles on Friday and will return to Oklahoma City without appearing in a game. Varland has six appearances for the Dodgers this season and has allowed two earned runs with a 3:4 K:BB over six innings.

The Cubs selected Bigge's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 26-year-old will join the Cubs for his first look in the big leagues as Colten Brewer (hand) heads to the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Bigge has six saves with a 0.77 ERA and 19:6 K:BB across 11.2 innings for Iowa this season.