MLB Player News

Smyly tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Cardinals. He allowed two hits and struck out two.

After a solid effort from starter Jameson Taillon across six innings, Smyly did his best to keep the Cubs in the game despite their lack of offense. The lefty has now logged five straight scoreless outings covering seven innings, and he's struck out seven during the hot steak. Smyly seems more suited for a relief role than a starting gig at this point in his career, as his fastball is up to 93.1 mph this season after sitting at 92 mph last year, when he made 23 starts, and he's been more effective with the added velocity.

Gilbreath (shoulder/elbow) completed two bullpen sessions during the Rockies' recent road trip in St. Louis and Minnesota that ran from June 6 to 12, MLB.com reports.

Gilbreath was expected to throw another bullpen session during the Rockies' current homestand before the club decides whether he's ready to take the next step in his rehab program: facing hitters. The southpaw reliever is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and had previously made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Albuquerque on April 23 before being pulled off the assignment after experiencing shoulder discomfort. He could be ready to resume the rehab assignment by the end of June if he avoids any further snags in his recovery while he continues the ramp-up process.

Phillips picked up the save Sunday against Kansas City, allowing one walk with no strikeouts across a scoreless ninth inning.

Phillips corralled his second save since being reinstated from the 15-day IL on May 31, increasing his season total to 10 saves. The 29-year-old hasn't allowed a hit in three of his four appearances in June but was tagged for three runs in a June 6 outing against the Pirates. On the year, Phillips owns a 1.93 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 18.2 innings.

Megill allowed a hit and a walk over a scoreless inning Sunday, striking out one and earning a save over the Reds.

Megill ran into trouble and nearly blew the save, but Blake Perkins saved the day with a game-ending outfield assist. He's converted seven straight saves since blowing a chance against the Marlins on May 20 and is now 13 for 14 this season. Megill owns a 26:7 K:BB and a 2.14 ERA through 21 innings.

Grove was diagnosed Sunday with a right intercostal strain but isn't expected to miss more than a few weeks, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Prior reports had suggested that Grove's placement on the 15-day injured list earlier Sunday was the result of a right lat injury, but his health concern is now being classified differently. While Grove could still miss more than the minimum 15 days, he'll have a chance to make it back before the Dodgers wrap up their first-half schedule July 14. Grove made 12 starts for Los Angeles in 2023 but has worked exclusively in relief for the big club this season, aside from two occasions in which he served as an opener. He's been deployed mostly in the middle innings and has accrued a 5.06 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over his 28 appearances while notching four wins and six holds.

Bivens (1-0) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Angels, covering three innings out of the bullpen while striking out four and allowing one run on one hit.

After receiving his first MLB call-up earlier Sunday, Bivens ended up serving as the Giants' bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Erik Miller. Bivens entered the game in the second inning, and the only blemish on his final line was Nolan Schanuel's solo shot. The 29-year-old righty worked efficiently through his three innings, tossing 27 of 36 pitches for strikes. He had produced a 2.81 ERA through 41.2 frames with Triple-A Sacramento prior to his promotion.

Helsley allowed two walks during a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the save Sunday against the Cubs. He struck out one.

Helsley tossed just 11 of 23 pitches for strikes and started behind in the count to four of five batters he faced but still managed to finish off the game for the Cardinals when a drive to the gap by pinch-hitter Patrick Wisdom with two on was snagged by Brendan Donovan to preserve the win. It was another shaky outing for Helsley, who has struggled recently with his command, walking four over his last two appearances. Despite the recent trouble, he maintains an ERA of 2.53 and has converted each of his last 24 save opportunities, last blowing a save March 30 during his first appearance of the season.

The Cubs designated Cuas for assignment Sunday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Cuas will now be placed on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, he'll likely remain in the organization as a reliever at Triple-A Iowa. The right-hander has struggled to a 6.35 ERA over 11.1 innings in 10 appearances in the minors and will have to right the ship before earning another shot on the 40-man roster.

Finnegan picked up his 20th save of the season Sunday against Miami, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Finnegan preserved a 3-1 Nationals lead to notch his 20th save of the season, third in the league behind only Ryan Helsley and Emmanuel Clase. The 32-year-old Finnegan has been outstanding, compiling a 1.78 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP across 30.1 innings, converting 20 of 22 save chances.

The Dodgers transferred Kelly (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

As a result of the transaction, Kelly won't be eligible to return to the Dodgers bullpen until the first week of July. The right-hander threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday, so he already seems to be making good progress in his recovery from the right shoulder strain that has kept him out of action since May 6. He could be cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment later this week or next.