MLB Player News

Zerpa is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Pirates at Kauffman Stadium, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Zerpa made his latest appearance out of the bullpen this past Saturday in Seattle while Zack Greinke moved back into a traditional starting role earlier this week, but the Royals will turn to Zerpa for a spot start Wednesday since Brady Singer (arm) is having his turn in the rotation skipped. Assuming the brief respite is all Singer needs to overcome his bout with arm fatigue, Zerpa will likely head back to the bullpen following Wednesday's start. Between his previous two starts with Kansas City this season, Zerpa has given up five earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out 10 over seven innings.

Hernandez (1-9) allowed a run on a two hits over one-third of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save Tuesday versus the Pirates.

Austin Cox left a man on base in the eighth inning and Hernandez surrendered a two-run home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes. Hernandez's uneven August -- 8.68 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, 2-for-4 in save chances -- has prevented him from outright claiming the closer role that opened up when Scott Barlow was traded to San Diego. Hernandez has a 4.33 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 73:22 K:BB through 62.1 innings overall while adding three saves, 12 holds and four blown saves this season.

Coulombe (4-1) pitched 1.2 perfect innings to earn the win Tuesday over the White Sox.

Dean Kremer left runners on base in the seventh inning, but Coulombe was able to pitch out of trouble just before the Orioles rallied ahead. Coulombe's scoreless streak is up to seven innings over eight appearances, and he has a 10:2 K:BB in that span. For the season, he's at a 2.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 51:10 K:BB with two saves and 20 holds over 41.2 innings. With Felix Bautista (elbow) sidelined, Coulombe and Yennier Cano figure to handle most of the high-leverage assignments.

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.

Chapman gave up a solo home run and struck out one in the ninth inning Tuesday to record his fourth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Mets.

Will Smith's recent struggles -- he's blown his last two save chances and hasn't successfully converted one since Aug. 11 -- have forced manager Bruce Bochy to look elsewhere at the end of games, with Jose Leclerc getting the save Monday before Chapman got his turn Tuesday. The veteran lefty watched rookie Mark Vientos get just enough of a 100.8-mph fastball to send it out to the opposite field, but otherwise Chapman got the job done on an efficient nine pitches (eight strikes). Smith tossed a scoreless eighth to pick up a hold and hasn't been removed completely from the high-leverage mix, but the Rangers could be headed toward a closing committee unless someone seizes the job.

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.