MLB Player News

Thompson was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Thompson was sent to Memphis in early May to stretch back out to start and the results weren't pretty, with the lefty posting a 9.09 ERA and 38:39 K:BB over 32.2 innings. It's not clear at this point whether the Cardinals plan to give him some starts with the big club or put him back in the bullpen where he's had success.

The Cardinals recalled Hudson from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Hudson was sent back to Memphis a day after serving as the Cardinals' 27th man in last Saturday's doubleheader with the Yankees, but he'll be back with the big club less than a week later after starter Adam Wainwright (shoulder) was moved to the injured list Tuesday. Steven Matz is set to move into the rotation Wednesday against the Marlins, so Hudson looks as though he'll have to settle for a long-relief role while he's up with the Cardinals, likely through the All-Star break.

Naile was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Naile took one for the team Tuesday in Miami, yielding eight runs while throwing 58 pitches over just 1.1 innings. He's being sent out so the Cardinals can bring in a fresh arm.

Fujinami (5-7) got the extra-inning win over the Tigers on Tuesday, striking out the side in a perfect ninth frame.

Fujinami threw arguably his sharpest inning of the season, firing nine of his 12 pitches for strikes while recording swinging punchouts of Jake Rogers, Zach McKinstry and Miguel Cabrera. The right-hander now has four consecutive scoreless appearances -- including three straight hitless efforts -- and hasn't walked a batter across the seven innings spanning his last six outings, his longest stretch by far without issuing a free pass. With a recent body of work that includes a 3-1 record, 2.19 ERA and 10.2 K/9 across his last 11 appearances, Fujinami appears to be increasingly earning the trust of manager Mark Kotsay in higher-leverage scenarios.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said they are building up Pivetta's pitch count ahead of a potential start Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

With Garrett Whitlock (elbow) joining Chris Sale (scapula) and Tanner Houck (facial fracture) on the injured list this week, the Red Sox are limited in the rotation. Pivetta has been a revelation since moving from the rotation to the bullpen in May, and Cora has been reluctant to use him as a starter, feeling his pitch mix plays better in relief. At this point, however, the Red Sox need bulk innings, and keeping Pivetta in the bullpen is a luxury.

Robertson gave up a hit and a walk before recording the final out of Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Diamondbacks and collecting his 12th save of the season.

Drew Smith began the ninth inning with the Mets leading by four runs, but after he put two runners aboard with two outs, Robertson got the call and allowed an inherited runner to score before getting Lourdes Gurriel to ground out with the bases loaded. The 38-year-old righty has issued a free pass in four of his last five appearances, and while his 1.93 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 44:11 K:BB through 37.1 innings on the season remain sharp, he could likely use some rest over the All-Star break -- he's on pace to top 70 innings for the first time in his career.

Moore (oblique) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is expected to be ready to return to the Angels following the All-Star break, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Moore was temporarily shut down from throwing after experiencing some soreness following a simulated game June 24. However, the southpaw was able to get back on the mound Tuesday and is slated to throw another bullpen this weekend. If he does so without any setbacks, Moore appears in line to be activated for the Angels' first game back from the All-Star break July 14.

Joyce (elbow) will continue his rehab in Arizona but isn't expected to be able to pitch off a mound for at least three weeks, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Joyce recently resumed throwing on flat ground after going on the injured list June 10 due to right ulnar neuritis. Though the rookie reliever appears to be making progress, he won't be rushed in his rehab and isn't slated to see mound work until the final week of July at the earliest. With that timeframe in mind, Joyce is unlikely to be ready to return to the big-league staff until sometime in August or September.

Smith recorded the final out Tuesday to collect his 15th save of the season in a 6-2 win over the Red Sox.

Josh Sborz began the ninth inning on the mound for the Rangers, but a single and a catcher's interference call on Mitch Garver put two runners aboard with two outs, and Smith got the call to retire Alex Verdugo and end the threat. The veteran lefty reliever had just blown his second save of the season Monday, but since the beginning of June, Smith has a 2.92 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 12.1 innings. His spot as the closer doesn't appear to be in any jeopardy from the newly acquired Aroldis Chapman.

Phillips (1-3) allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two over one inning, taking the loss and a blown save in Tuesday's 9-7 loss to the Pirates.

Phillips' 10.1-inning scoreless streak came to a sudden halt when he failed to protect a one-run lead. He gave up all of three runs over 11 appearances in June, and this was just the third time in 36 outings he's surrendered multiple runs. The poor performance puts him at 12-for-14 in save chances while pitching to a 2.57 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB through 35 innings. This was his third consecutive day on the mound, which may have played a part in his struggles, and he'll likely be unavailable if a save chance arises Wednesday.