MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol indicated Friday that Saggese will be used mostly in a reserve role, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Saggese was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday to take the roster spot of the injured Ivan Herrera (hamstring) and was immediately thrown into the lineup at designated hitter. However, Marmol noted that playing time priority will be given to "the guys that have been here, more so than the guy who's getting here." Saggese could see fairly regular reps versus lefties, but Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson are expected to be the primary beneficiaries during Herrera's absence.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored Friday against Arizona.

Freeman remains a near-everyday player for Colorado and has hit second in each of his last four starts against right-handed pitchers. He has been a fixture in the Rockies' lineup since May 27 and has hit .379/.465/.534 with 10 runs, eight RBI and three stolen bases across his last 20 games.

Burleson has made 13 straight starts for the Cardinals, including three straight against left-handed pitching.

The left-handed-hitting Burleson's first start this season against a traditional left-handed starter didn't come until May 31. However, he has started five of seven games versus lefties since that date and is slashing .381/.409/.571 against southpaws during that stretch. Burleson is batting .346/.379/.569 overall with seven homers since May 1, and he has hit third in five of the Cardinals' last six contests. A career .572 OPS against lefties suggests Burleson could be due for some regression in that area, but he should continue to play every day for the time being, especially while Ivan Herrera (hamstring) is shelved.

Palmquist is slated to start Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks at Coors Field.

The rookie will pick up a second turn through the rotation after being called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to serve as a replacement for lefty Kyle Freeland (back), who was placed on the injured list last weekend. While stepping in for Freeland in Monday's 6-4 win over the Nationals, Palmquist took a no-decision and gave up four earned runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. Over his six starts this season with the Rockies, Palmquist owns a 7.76 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 18:16 K:BB in 26.2 innings.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Friday that Gorman will receive "more opportunity" following the injury to Ivan Herrera (hamstring), Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Gorman made his 10th start in 11 games Friday, so he had already been playing a lot lately even before Herrera was hurt. However, the Herrera injury creates a clear path to at-bats at designated hitter against right-handed pitching, and Gorman can also see some action at second base on days when Brendan Donovan plays the outfield. Gorman is slashing .273/.385/.545 with three home runs in June.

Moniak went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 14-8 loss to the Diamondbacks.

His 452-foot moon shot to right-center field off Zac Gallen was the big blow in a six-run fourth inning that briefly gave the Rockies a 7-6 lead. Moniak still sits against most left-handed pitchers, but he's enjoying a huge June against righties, batting .387 (12-for-31) in 10 games with five of his 10 homers on the season, along with two steals, nine runs and nine RBI.

Manager Terry Francona said that Suter will serve as the Reds' opening pitcher in a bullpen game Saturday against the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Suter is stepping into the rotation spot vacated by left-hander Wade Miley (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday. The 35-year-old Suter has previously opened two games for the Reds, but since he'll be taking the hill on one day's rest and has maxed out at 3.2 innings and 63 pitches over his 23 appearances on the season, he's unlikely to stay in the game for more than one turn through the batting order. The Reds are expected to call up right-hander Chase Petty from Triple-A Louisville prior to Saturday's game, and he could be tasked with covering multiple innings in relief once Suter exits the contest.

Gomber (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Rockies fell 14-8 to the Diamondbacks, coughing up nine runs on 12 hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.

After a strong season debut Sunday in his return from a shoulder injury, Gomber got caught up in a classic Coors Field barn burner. Half the hits off the southpaw went for extra bases, including homers by Ketel Marte, Eugenio Suarez and Ildemaro Vargas, and he managed only four swinging strikes among his 81 pitches (57 total strikes). Gomber's next start is scheduled to come on the road next week, but the matchup won't get any easier as he faces the Dodgers.

Petty is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Louisville to work in relief behind opening pitcher Brent Suter in Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Manager Terry Francona is labeling Saturday's contest as a bullpen day, but assuming he's formally recalled from the Reds' taxi squad, Petty will likely be tasked with covering multiple innings in relief once Suter exits the contest. Petty yielded 13 earned runs in 5.1 innings over his prior two big-league appearances this season, but he pitched to a 2.70 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB in 16.2 innings over four starts with Louisville upon being demoted May 21.

Vargas started at second base and went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two additional runs scored in Friday's 14-8 win over Colorado.

Vargas' two-run homer in the fifth inning snapped a 7-7 tie. It was the first home run of the season for Vargas, who was summoned from Triple-A Reno on May 29. Friday's start was just his fourth start (sixth appearance) in 20 games with the Diamondbacks.