MLB Player News

The Pirates recalled Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Simon was sent down to Triple-A on Friday following Ryan O'Hearn's return from the injured list, but the former will turn around and rejoin the big club with Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring) landing on the IL. Simon logged just one plate appearance during his previous week-long stint with the Bucs and will likely continue to serve as bench depth until Valdez is healthy.

The Pirates placed Valdez on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a strained left hamstring.

Valdez made an early exit from Friday's contest after injuring himself while running out of the batter's box, and he'll now officially remain out of action until at least Sept. 23. Jake Mangum is set to start in right field Saturday against the Cubs and could see regular playing time until Valdez returns. Meanwhile, Ronny Simon will come up from Triple-A to replenish Pittsburgh's outfield depth.

Basabe isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Basabe will retreat to the bench Saturday after starting six of the Giants' last seven games and going 3-for-19 with seven strikeouts in that span. Jonah Cox will fill in at the keystone and bat fourth.

The Cubs placed Thornton on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left ankle soreness, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Thornton has been one of the more reliable members of a shaky Cubs bullpen this season, but his move to the IL will prevent him from pitching in a game until the final day of the regular season. Edward Cabrera (finger) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move and will join Chicago's bullpen to fill the void left by Thornton.

The Cubs reinstated Cabrera (finger) from the injured list Saturday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Cabrera has made just one appearance in the majors since the All-Star break due to issues with his left hamstring and, more recently, a blister on his right middle finger. Now fully healthy, the 28-year-old will return to the active roster but move into the bullpen after posting a 5.68 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 76 innings as a starter. His struggles continued into his rehab assignment (six earned runs allowed in 3.2 innings), so he will likely be limited to low-leverage work to begin with. Trent Thornton (ankle) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Gonzales isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Gonzales will get a break Saturday after going 9-for-33 (.273) with two RBI and a run scored through his first nine games of September. Jacob Gonzalez will start at the hot corner and bat eighth.

Flores isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Flores has recorded a base hit in each of his last six games, but the Pirates will keep him on the bench to begin Saturday's affair. Henry Davis will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.

Valdez (hamstring) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

The Pirates have yet to provide an update on Valdez's status after he exited Friday's game with a left hamstring injury, though he will need at least one day off to recover. Jake Mangum will start in right field Saturday and could continue to do so if Valdez needs to spend time on the IL.

Wilkinson improved to 1-3 on the season after striking out two batters and allowing one hit over two scoreless frames of relief Wednesday in the Giants' 7-6 win over the Cardinals.

The back end of the San Francisco rotation looks fluid at the moment, but Wilkinson appears set to work in relief for the time being after posting a 6.14 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB In 14.2 innings while starting in each of his first four big-league appearances. He retired six of the seven batters he faced during his first relief outing, picking up the win after the Giants clawed back from a five-run deficit with a six-run bottom of the eighth.

The Nationals reinstated Lovelady (triceps) from the 60-day injured list Saturday.

A triceps strain has kept Lovelady out since late June, but he began a rehab assignment Sept. 1 and has since allowed three earned runs while striking out four batters and walking one across 5.1 innings. Now fully healthy, he could enter the mix for high-leverage work with team saves leader Clayton Beeter heading back to Triple-A in a corresponding move.