MLB Player News

The Cardinals optioned Ponce de Leon to their alternate training site Saturday.

St. Louis designated Ponce de Leon as its 29th man for Friday's doubleheader with the Pirates. The right-hander started the second game of the twin bill and struck out nine for his second appearance in a row while working five innings and giving up two runs in a no-decision. Though he was sent down immediately after the outing, Ponce de Leon will likely rejoin the big club to make another start in the team's final doubleheader of the season this upcoming Friday against the Brewers.

The Indians released Hernandez on Sunday.

Hernandez inked a minor-league deal with the Indians in early July and was added to the team's 60-man roster pool, but he apparently didn't make enough of an impression at Cleveland's alternate training site over the past two-plus months to earn a promotion to the big club. He's now free to pursue opportunities with other organizations ahead of the 2021 campaign.

Gallegos, activated from the injured list earlier in the day, allowed an earned run on two hits, a walk and a wild pitch over two-thirds of inning in a loss to the Royals on Monday. He struck out two.

The right-hander had a rough landing in his return to action, allowing an RBI double to Jorge Soler that plated Adalberto Mondesi to extend the Royals' lead to 4-1 in the home half of the eighth. Gallegos ended up throwing 21 pitches overall in the extended outing, his first since Sept. 10 against the Tigers. Gallegos has now allowed at least one run in three straight appearances dating back to Sept. 8, but he'd put together a near-flawless season prior to those stumbles and is still presumably a candidate for higher-leverage work than he saw Monday over the final days of the campaign.

Fleming (4-0) was credited with the win in a victory over the Mets on Monday, allowing an earned run on three hits and a walk over three innings while recording two strikeouts. He also hit a batter.

The southpaw functioned as the bulk reliever Monday, following opener Pete Fairbanks and Ryan Thompson, who covered the first 2.2 innings between them. Fleming threw 22 of 32 pitches for strikes, and although he allowed the Mets' only run of the night in the form of a Jeff McNeil infield single, he was credited with the win when a trio of his bullpen mates subsequently kept New York off the scoreboard. Fleming had a rough start to September, allowing seven earned runs on 13 hits and two walks across 9.1 innings to the Marlins and Red Sox, but he's bounced back to yield just Monday's run over the 6.2 frames encompassing his last two trips to the mound.

Crowe will serve as the 29th man for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Crowe has spent three separate stints on the Nationals' roster this season. The latest lasted just one day, as he joined the team to start the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader against the Marlins before being optioned the following day. He threw just 2.1 innings in that game, so he should be available for multiple innings if needed out of the bullpen Tuesday.

Howard (shoulder) felt good after throwing a bullpen session Monday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard has already spent the required 10 days on the injured list with a sore right shoulder. He has a chance to return for the final weekend of the season, though he'd likely be limited to a bullpen role.

Melancon gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Monday to record his 11th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Marlins.

The veteran closer has been scored upon just once in his last 10 appearances, although his 5:1 K:BB through 10 innings during that stretch isn't exactly dominant. On the year, Melancon now sports a 2.18 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, and he's blown only one of his 12 save chances.

Matzek (4-3) picked up the win in Monday's 5-4 victory over the Marlins, walking two and striking out three over two scoreless innings of relief.

Huascar Ynoa got the start but left after three innings due to a cracked fingernail on his pitching hand, opening the door for Matzek to enter the game with Atlanta ahead and earn credit for the win. The southpaw has made a successful return to the majors this season, posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 38:9 K:BB through 26.2 innings, primarily in middle relief.

Hudson (forearm) is set to meet with Dr. George Paletta in St. Louis on Tuesday regarding the next steps in his recovery, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander's regular season is deemed to be over, but Hudson will naturally hope to have his recovery completed as soon as possible so as to be able to enter spring training in 2021 without restrictions. The 26-year-old put together a third consecutive solid showing during the abbreviated 2020 campaign that included a 2.77 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and career-best 20.5 percent strikeout rate, and he's poised to be a pivotal part of the rotation again next season, if healthy.

Hernandez allowed one run on four hits and three walks over 3.2 innings Monday, striking out four in the win over St. Louis. He did not factor in the decision.

Hernandez wasn't too efficient Monday, throwing just 40 of 72 pitches for strikes. However, the only real blemish on his line was a solo homer hit by Matt Carpenter in the second inning. Hernandez lowered his season ERA to 3.46 in 13 innings this season. He's slated to make his final start of the season at home against Detroit this weekend.