MLB Player News

Helsley (forearm) is on track to be activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Helsley had initially hoped to return Wednesday, but the Cardinals will hold off until rosters expand to make the move. The reliever has had multiple starts and stops as he works his way back from a right forearm strain, but his return is now imminent. It's possible Helsley works his way back into closing situations, although it probably wouldn't happen right away considering he's been sidelined since early June. JoJo Romero has been the primary closer for the Cards of late, with Giovanny Gallegos also in the mix.

The Padres placed Wilson on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left hip inflammation.

The transaction is retroactive to Monday, so Wilson will be eligible for activation Sept. 12. Wilson has functioned as one of the Padres' setup men in front of closer Josh Hader this season, gathering 22 holds and one win while pitching to a 3.91 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 53 innings. The Padres called up lefty Ray Kerr from Triple-A El Paso to replace Wilson in the bullpen.

The Padres recalled Kerr from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

Kerr will join the big-league bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Steven Wilson, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left hip inflammation. The 28-year-old southpaw has previously made 13 relief appearances for the Padres this season, compiling a 6.28 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 14.1 innings.

Boxberger (forearm) is scheduled to make another rehab appearance Wednesday with Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The appearance will be the seventh overall of Boxberger's rehab assignment and his fourth in a row for Iowa, with whom he's given up two earned runs on three hits and two walks across two innings through his first three outings. If Boxberger checks out fine following Wednesday's appearance, the Cubs could look to bring him back from the 60-day injured list when the active roster expands to 28 players Friday. Once activated, Boxberger will likely handle a middle-innings role out of the Cubs' bullpen.

Rainey (elbow) has been transferred to Triple-A Rochester to continue his rehab assignment, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Rainey has allowed two runs with a 5:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings in his first five rehab appearances, including three scoreless outings in his last stop with Double-A Harrisburg. He has not yet pitched on back-to-back days, something he'll need to show he can do before making his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery.

Finnegan gave up one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning Tuesday to record his 25th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out one.

The right-hander loaded the bases with nobody out to begin the ninth, but Finnegan kept his focus and the only run he gave up came on a Vladimir Guerrero grounder. He's converted 14 straight save chances since July 17, and while Hunter Harvey is healthy again and on hand to share the high-leverage load, Finnegan remains manager Dave Martinez's top choice to close out games.

Iglesias picked up the save in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over the Rockies. He struck out one over a perfect inning.

Iglesias hasn't allowed a run since July 18, a streak that spans 15 appearances and includes 10 saves. He managed to retire the side for a perfect inning Tuesday and advanced to 13th in MLB in saves with 26. Through 45 appearances (42.2 innings), Iglesias owns a 2.74 ERA to pair with a 56:11 K:BB.

Lambert (3-5) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs on nine hits over five innings against Atlanta. He struck out two.

Though Lambert fell to his fifth loss of the campaign, he surrendered just three runs, notching his fourth straight start with three runs or fewer allowed. However, he was tagged by Marcell Ozuna for a solo home run in the second inning to mark Lambert's fifth consecutive outing giving up a long ball. Over his last four appearances (23 innings), Lambert owns a 3.52 ERA to go along with a 17:3 K:BB. He's tentatively lined up to take on the Diamondbacks in Arizona for his next start.

Romero (4-1) earned the extra-inning win Tuesday over the Padres, allowing two hits while striking out three and walking none over two scoreless innings.

Romero kept the game tied at 5-5 in the ninth and 10th innings before Tommy Edman's walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th. In August, Romero has gone more than one inning in six of his 10 appearances, allowing four runs over 14.1 frames with a 20:1 K:BB. He's earned a high-leverage role as the Cardinals' top left-handed reliever. Romero has a 3.34 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 40:9 K:BB, three saves and three holds over 35 innings this season.

Thompson did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks over four innings against San Diego. He struck out three.

Thompson's final line certainly could've been worse, as he was charged with just two earned runs despite allowing nine Padres to reach base over four innings. The 25-year-old southpaw hasn't allowed more than two earned runs through five starts since rejoining St. Louis' rotation, though he's yet to pitch more than five innings. Overall, he's 3-5 with a 3.92 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 47:18 K:BB across 39 innings this season. Thompson's currently in line for a tough road matchup with Atlanta in his next start.