MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Ortiz to the Florida Complex League on Saturday.

Ortiz came up for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, and he will now be cast off the active roster after throwing a scoreless inning and striking out two batters in Game 1. Michael Plassmeyer was selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Nelson will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Sunday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies will be the fourth seed in the National League regardless of what happens over the weekend, but they're nonetheless tasked with recording 27 extra outs thanks to Saturday's doubleheader. The team is sensibly holding back its best arms for the postseason, so it will be the unheralded pair of Nelson and Michael Plassmeyer who make the final two starts of the regular season. Nelson owns a 5.38 ERA in 103.2 career major-league innings, none of which have come in 2023.

The Dodgers recalled Gonzalez from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Gonzalez will give the Dodgers additional bullpen depth to close out the season as Lance Lynn is away from the team on bereavement leave. Gonzalez holds a 4.13 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 32.2 innings in the majors this season.

The Cardinals optioned Woodford to the Florida Complex League on Saturday.

After giving up seven runs in 1.2 frames during his last start Friday, Woodford will be cast off the active roster in favor of James Naile, who will give the Cardinals additional bullpen depth for their final two games. Woodford will finish 2023 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.74 WHIP through 47.2 innings -- both sharp increases from his 2.23 ERA and 1.12 WHIP last season.

The Cardinals recalled Naile from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Naile will take the place of Jake Woodford, who was optioned to the Florida Complex League in a corresponding move. Naile was decent in the minors this season but has struggled mightily in the majors, surrendering 15 runs over 15.1 innings. He will likely be limited to low-leverage outings while with St. Louis.

The Brewers optioned Boushley to the Arizona Complex League on Saturday.

Boushley was selected to the active roster Friday and looked solid during his MLB debut, giving up one run while pitching the final 2.1 frames and striking out five batters en route to collecting his first big-league win. He'll continue to work at the Brewers' facility in Arizona and could rejoin the team should Milwaukee's bullpen take a hit during the postseason. Clayton Andrews was sent to Arizona alongside Boushley, and Eric Lauer and Trevor Megill (paternity) took their places on the active roster.

The Brewers optioned Andrews to the Arizona Complex League on Saturday

After giving up two runs over 1.2 frames Friday, Andrews will be sent to the Brewers' facility in Arizona and remain on stand-by should the team need him during its postseason run. The 26-year-old has been lit up over the course of his four MLB appearances, so it's unlikely he sees action in the playoffs barring an emergency situation. He will be joined in Arizona by Caleb Boushley, and Eric Lauer and Trevor Megill (paternity) will take their places on the active roster.

Koch will be the first pitcher on the mound in what's expected to be a bullpen game for the Rockies against the Twins on Saturday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Koch hasn't pitched more than two innings in any of his 37 relief appearances this season, so don't expect him to last much longer than that this time around. The Rockies haven't announced who (if anyone) will be tasked with handling the bulk relief role behind him.

The Brewers reinstated Megill (paternity) from the restricted list Saturday.

After moving Megill to the restricted list to give him extra time with his expanding family, the Brewers will get their flame-throwing reliever back a day later. After a rough start to the season, Megill has posted a 1.69 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 16 innings since Aug. 16, though the Brewers' immense bullpen depth has kept Megill from seeing many high-leverage opportunities. Clayton Andrews and Caleb Boushley were optioned to rookie ball in corresponding moves.

The Phillies recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

As Dylan Covey (back) lands on the injured list for the final days of the regular season, Ortiz will come up from the minors to round out Philadelphia's bullpen. The 28-year-old righty holds a 3.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP through 18 frames in the majors this season and figures to serve in middle relief while with the Phillies.