MLB Player News

Helsley earned the save after allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning Friday against the Phillies.

Trea Turner brought the possible tying run to the plate with a leadoff single, but Helsley quickly put out the next three batters he faced on just six pitches to protect a 2-0 victory. The hard-throwing right-hander has blown one save and has struggled with his control to begin the season, posting a 1.67 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB over six frames, but Helsley has given up just two runs and remains St. Louis' go-to weapon in save situations.

Brasier (groin) threw a bullpen session Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Friday appears to be the first time Brasier has thrown off a mound since he landed on the injured list at the end of March with a groin strain. The Cubs will likely look to get the 37-year-old righty a few reps against live hitters before activating him, but he could be nearing the end of his stay on the IL.

Assad (oblique) will make his first rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad has been pitching in extended spring training games since the start of the season, though Tuesday will mark the first time he's pitched at a minor-league affiliate since landing on the IL with an oblique strain. He'll likely require multiple additional rehab outings, but he shouldn't be more than a few weeks away from returning to Chicago.

Fairbanks earned the save in Friday's 6-3 win over Atlanta, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

Fairbanks tossed 17 pitches (12 strikes) and was able to overcome a Drake Baldwin double to earn his third save of the year. Fairbanks has posted a 1.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB across six innings to start the season and has converted all three of his save opportunities.

The Brewers optioned Peguero to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

After turning in a career-best 2.98 ERA last season, Peguero has struggled to begin 2025, allowing four earned runs in just 6.1 innings. He'll now head to Triple-A in order to get back on track, and his roster spot will be given to Jose Quintana, who officially joined the big-league club for his season debut Friday.

Reynolds (foot) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Reynolds is battling through a stress reaction in his right foot, which caused him to miss all of spring training and led to him starting the season on the 15-day injured list. He's progressed enough in his recovery to begin his throwing program, and the 26-year-old right-hander is aiming to throw live batting practice next week before embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment. Reynolds appeared in nine regular-season games out of the bullpen for the Padres in 2024 and logged a 0.82 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB across 11 innings.

The Pirates recalled Nicolas from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Nicolas has struggled this season with Indianapolis, yielding nine earned runs in just 6.1 innings. However, he has a big arm and could eventually work his way into high-leverage situations as part of an unsettled Pirates bullpen.

Darrell-Hicks was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Darrell-Hicks will replace Ben Joyce (shoulder) in the Angels' bullpen and figures to make his MLB debut in the coming days. The 27-year-old righty has made three appearances for Salt Lake so far this season, allowing seven earned runs in just 6.2 innings.

The Angels placed Joyce (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Joyce is dealing with shoulder inflammation, which likely explains his noted drop in velocity earlier this week. Joyce expressed that he wasn't concerned following his Tuesday outing in which he allowed one home run and three earned runs during his one inning of work. With Joyce headed to the IL, the Angels have recalled Michael Darrell-Hicks from the minors.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Friday that Harvey (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 right teres major strain and will be re-evaluated next week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Harvey felt it while warming up Thursday, but the injury is considered minor at the moment. Harvey was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday, and with one of the Royals' top setup men sidelined, John Schreiber could move up a rung on the ladder to help Lucas Erceg and closer Carlos Estevez at the back end of the Kansas City bullpen.