MLB Player News

Diekman secured his ninth hold during a win over the Astros in the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday, firing a scoreless sixth inning during which he allowed no hits or walks and recorded one strikeout.

The veteran left-hander continued his season-long dominance, posting his 15th scoreless effort in as many appearances. Diekman has yielded a scant six hits over his 15 innings as well while posting an elite 12.6 K/9. The one qualm with his 2020 body of work has been his trademark control issues, which have led to a bloated 6.0 BB/9 that he's nevertheless successfully navigated to this point.

The Tigers selected Ramirez's contract from their alternate training site Wednesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Ramirez made his big-league debut for the Tigers last season and went on to post a 4.07 ERA in 79.2 innings of relief. He'd spent the entirety of the season up to this point working out at the team's alternate training site. He'll likely fill a lower-leverage relief role upon his arrival.

Schreiber was optioned off the Tigers' roster Wednesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Schreiber has been with the team all season but hasn't exactly impressed, posting a 6.08 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 13.1 innings. Those numbers look quite similar to his 6.23 ERA and 1.54 WHIP from his 13.0-inning debut last year.

Helsley, who surrendered two earned runs on two hits over an inning while recording a strikeout in the first game of a doubleheader against the Twins on Tuesday, now has a 10.80 ERA across 3.1 innings in his first three appearances since returning from the COVID-19 injured list.

Helsley had opened the season with a pair of perfect appearances before his and the Cardinals' seasons were both sidelined due to the team's coronavirus outbreak. The hard-throwing right-hander's struggles since his return underscore the notion the month-plus layoff particularly affected him; Helsley came into the season riding high off an impressive rookie campaign during which he posted a 2.95 ERA and didn't give up an earned run in more than two consecutive appearances over 36.2 innings.

Gsellman was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib Wednesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Gsellman was initially believed to have sustained a left oblique injury, but he'll likely be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a fractured rib. The right-hander struggled this season with a 9.64 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 9:8 K:BB over 14 innings during six appearances (four starts). Drew Smith was recalled by the Mets to take Gsellman's place in the bullpen.

The Mets recalled Smith from their alternate training site ahead of Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

He'll join the New York bullpen as a replacement for Robert Gsellman, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib. Smith has made eight relief appearances for the Mets this season, giving up five earned runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings.

Nelson's contract was selected by Cleveland on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old southpaw will be looking to make his big-league debut. He posted a 2.28 ERA in 47.1 innings of relief across the three highest levels of the minors last season, combining a 37.3 percent strikeout rate with a 7.6 percent walk rate. Adam Cimber was optioned in a corresponding move.

Cimber was optioned off Cleveland's active roster Wednesday.

Cimber's 4.22 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 10.2 innings this season are both perfectly respectable numbers, though he's struck out just 10.9 percent of opposing batters. He'll head to the team's alternate training site after allowing three runs while recording just two outs over his last two appearances, with Kyle Nelson heading the other way in a corresponding move.

The Marlins released Smith on Sept. 1.

Smith initially accepted an outright assignment to the Marlins' alternate site after going unclaimed off waivers, but Miami ultimately reversed course and chose to part ways with him entirely. The 30-year-old lefty, who gave up two earned runs over 1.2 innings with Miami earlier this season, is now free to sign with another organization.

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

Ponce de Leon was called up from the alternate site Tuesday and designated as the 29th man for the Cardinals' doubleheader with Minnesota. He started the second game of the twin bill, working three innings and giving up two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four in a no-decision. Though he'll move back to the alternate site to give St. Louis some short-term roster flexibility, Ponce de Leon will likely re-enter the rotation for next week's series in Milwaukee, which features doubleheaders Sept. 14 and 16.