MLB Player News

Hicks (forearm) allowed two hits in 1.2 scoreless innings Saturday versus the Phillies. He did not strike out or walk a batter.

Hicks missed over a month with the forearm strain, and he returned in a multi-inning role. The hard-throwing right-hander appears set to remain in the bullpen for the rest of the season after beginning the year as a starter. He has a 4.75 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 29:20 K:BB across 10 appearances (seven starts). Hicks will have some time to acclimate himself to long relief again, but success in that role could he see him eventually joining the Cardinals' high-leverage mix since he has previous closing experience.

Tate gave up a run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning during Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Twins.

Tate has given up four runs in his last eight appearances, and he's logged a 2.92 ERA in 12.1 innings across 11 outings since the start of June. He's also picked up five of his 11 holds this year in that span, so the somewhat unsteady pitching isn't costing him his high-leverage opportunities. The right-hander owns a 2.17 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB through 37.1 innings overall, and he could see more save chances if Jorge Lopez's recent struggles continue much longer.

Bautista struck out two in a perfect inning during Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Twins.

Bautista has gone 16.2 innings without allowing an earned run, though he gave up two unearned runs in that stretch. He's posted 10 of his 11 holds and a 3-1 record with a 21:5 K:BB in the dominant span. The 27-year-old has thrived throughout the year in a high-leverage role, picking up two saves with a 1.42 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 31.2 innings overall. With Jorge Lopez blowing saves in each of his last two outings, Bautista figures to be at the top of the list of candidates to pick up more save chances if manager Brandon Hyde makes a change in the closer role.

The Pirates placed De Los Santos on the COVID-19-related injured list Sunday.

Pittsburgh will get reliever Duane Underwood (illness) back from the COVID-19-related IL on Sunday, only to lose another bullpen arm to the same inactive list. Provided he makes a quick recovery from the illness and doesn't experience overly severe symptoms of the virus, De Los Santos should have a good chance to rejoin the Pittsburgh bullpen before the All-Star break. Over 12.2 innings with the big club this season, De Los Santos has picked up two saves to go with a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.

The Pirates optioned Wilson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Though Wilson was sent back to the minors after striking out four and allowing two earned runs over six innings en route to capturing a win in Saturday's 7-4 triumph over the Brewers, he shouldn't have to wait long before rejoining the big club. According to Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that the demotion won't preclude Wilson from rejoining the big club Thursday, when the Pirates will need to break in a temporary sixth starter for their doubleheader with the Reds.

The Pirates reinstated Underwood (illness) from the COVID-19-related injured list Sunday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Underwood will be available out of the Pittsburgh bullpen for Sunday's series finale with Milwaukee after he was able to regain his conditioning following a two-appearance rehab assignment at Double-A Altoona. Before testing positive for COVID-19 on June 13 and landing on the IL, Underwood gathered three holds and posted a 4.24 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 17 innings out of the big-league bullpen.

Iglesias' suspension was reduced to one game and he will serve it during Sunday's matchup with the Astros, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Upon appeal, Major League Baseball shaved Iglesias' suspension in half. Iglesias was disciplined for his role in last weekend's brawl between the Angels and Mariners. The Angels do not have a ton of interesting alternatives should a save situation come up Sunday; Jose Quijada and Aaron Loup may be in the mix.

The Cubs recalled Rucker from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

He'll be joining the big club as a replacement for Alec Mills (back), who was placed on the 15-day injured list just seven pitches into his start in Saturday's win over the Red Sox. Since Mark Leiter came on in long relief and covered 5.1 innings out of the bullpen, he likely won't be available for at least a few days, so Rucker should provide a fresh arm in the interim. Over his previous 12 outings this season with the Cubs spanning 19.2 innings, Rucker posted a 5.49 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.

The Guardians selected Young's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

Cleveland made a series of roster moves Sunday morning, adding a couple fresh arms in Young and James Karinchak following Saturday's doubleheader. Young, a 28-year-old lefty, owns a 4.90 career ERA in the big leagues, but he has pitched well out of the bullpen for Columbus this season (3.14 ERA in 27 appearances).

Karinchak was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.

A few short years ago, Karinchak was one of the hottest young relievers in the game. He fell apart in 2021, with Karinchak's downward trajectory coinciding with MLB's sticky-stuff crackdown. The hard-throwing righty has not pitched well at all with Columbus this year (5.73 ERA, 1.91 WHIP), but the Guardians need a fresh arm, so they will give Karinchak a look in the majors for the first time this season.