MLB Player News

Petty earned the save in Saturday's 9-7 win over the Pirates, allowing no hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He did not record a strikeout.

Petty was called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and needed just 12 pitches to collect his first major-league save. The 23-year-old has been strong since being recalled June 10, allowing just one earned run in six outings during that stretch. He owns a 3.72 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 8:2 K across 19.1 innings with the Reds this season, though he likely won't factor into the closer mix once Emilio Pagan (hamstring) returns from his current rehab assignment.

Pivetta (forearm) has advanced to playing long toss and could soon begin throwing off a mound, MLB.com reports.

Pivetta has been sidelined by a right flexor strain since mid-April. The right-handed hurler began a throwing program in late May, but he's yet to start up mound work. With that big step potentially looming, Pivetta appears to be making tangible progress in his recovery. Nonetheless, he's not expected to return to San Diego's rotation until sometime after the All-Star break.

Soto (4-2) blew a save and took the loss against the Reds on Saturday, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks with one strikeout in the ninth inning.

Soto was summoned to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and surrendered a go-ahead, three-run homer with two outs. It continued a rough June for the 31-year-old, who's yielded runs in four of eight outings and owns a 12.15 ERA for the month. On the year, he's 11-for-15 in save chances with a 3.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 34.1 innings.

Palencia (elbow) is progressing in his rehab from elbow tendinitis, but he won't be activated from the injured list until after the All-Star break, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Palencia landed on the injured list June 16 and hasn't thrown since. Per MLB.com, the righty reliever could begin a throwing program at the beginning of the coming week, but he's nonetheless expected to remain out of action until after the All-Star break. Jacob Webb and Trent Thornton have each logged saves since Palencia went down, and Caleb Thielbar is also in the temporary closer mix.

Cronenworth (concussion) went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double Friday in a rehab appearance with Triple-A El Paso.

Cronenworth was originally slated to make his first rehab appearance Thursday, but he had to wait an extra day while the process of receiving full medical clearance was completed. The veteran outfielder seemed to be champing at the bit to get back given his first plate appearance Friday, as he walloped a 413-foot to right field. It was Cronenworth's first game action since May 4, so he'll presumably need several more contests in the minors before he's ready to be activated.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Saturday that Holmes will be available out of the bullpen this weekend in San Francisco, but the righty hurler could still start next week if he isn't needed in relief versus the Giants, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Holmes has struggled of late, logging no more than 4.2 innings over his past three starts and pitching to a 6.10 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 10:8 K:BB over that span. His next start is projected to be Tuesday against St. Louis, but that outing may now hinge on whether Holmes is needed out of the bullpen this weekend in San Francisco. If Holmes does indeed appear in relief, Atlanta could opt to move Martin Perez up a day, since he'd be working on five days of rest after last appearing Wednesday against San Diego.

France, who was hit in the wrist by a pitch against the Dodgers on Friday, had X-rays return negative, but he's out of Saturday's lineup, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

France was nailed in the wrist by a Roki Sasaki fastball in the fourth inning Friday. The veteran infielder initially stayed in the game but was then replaced by Miguel Andujar at first base in the ninth inning. The good news for France is that X-rays returned negative, but he's nonetheless beginning on the bench for Saturday's matchup. Manager Craig Stammen said Saturday that France isn't looking at an IL stint, and the infielder will be available off the bench for the evening contest, so it doesn't sound like he is dealing with a serious injury.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Hernandez (hamstring) will be activated off the injured list ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Athletics, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez has been sidelined since May 27 due to the hamstring strain, but he began a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday and has gone 3-for-11 with three homers and six RBI through three games. The veteran slugger has started in left field in all three of those minor-league contests, so he's had the opportunity to test out the hamstring on defense. Hernandez's return to the Dodgers will likely mean that Ryan Ward will get significantly less playing time, and Alex Call's opportunities could shrink as well. However, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports that Los Angeles is expected to limit Hernandez to "roughly 3-to-4 games a week" initially upon his activation, so there should still be opportunities for Ward and/or Call to get some starts.

Milner (abdomen) will be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing emergency appendectomy surgery on Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Milner will miss a chunk of time after undergoing emergency surgery to address appendicitis Friday. If the 35-year-old misses the minimum four weeks, he could be back by the end of July. The Cubs bullpen has been heavily dismayed by injuries this season as Daniel Palencia (elbow), Phil Maton (knee), Riley Martin (elbow) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) are among their relievers currently on the injured list.

The Cubs recalled Ferguson from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Ferguson was sent back to Triple-A after throwing two shutout innings during Wednesday's doubleheader against the Mets, but he'll now rejoin the big club to replace Hoby Milner (abdomen). The 32-year-old Ferguson will likely be limited to low-leverage opportunities while with the Cubs.