MLB Player News

Duran (oblique) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

It will be the first time Duran has thrown off the mound since he was sidelined by a left oblique strain two weeks ago. The Phillies are optimistic that Duran will be ready to rejoin the active roster soon, though it's unclear whether he will travel with them to Miami for a series with the Marlins this weekend.

The Cardinals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Fernandez has pitched well in his opportunities with the big club, posting a 1.59 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 5.2 innings. However, the Cardinals needed to free a roster spot for Hunter Dobbins, who is starting Thursday in Pittsburgh, and Fernandez is the casualty.

The Reds recalled Maxwell from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Maxwell has collected a 5.91 ERA and 17:8 K:BB over 10.2 innings this season with Louisville. The hard-throwing right-hander will fill a middle-relief role in Cincinnati.

Lopez (2-1) picked up the win Wednesday over the Tigers, striking out two batters in two perfect innings of relief.

The right-hander breezed through the eighth and ninth innings on just 17 pitches (12 strikes) and got rewarded when Matt Olson launched a walk-off homer. It was Lopez's first relief appearance since losing his spot in the rotation, but he wasn't showing increased velocity in his new role -- he topped out at 93.6 mph with his fastball Wednesday -- and he figures to be in the bullpen for a while. With Spencer Strider (oblique) set to come off the IL this weekend and rookie JR Ritchie making a good impression since his promotion, there's simply no room for Lopez in Atlanta's rotation right now.

Ferguson (oblique) walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning for Double-A Chattanooga on Tuesday.

Ferguson threw 14 pitches (seven strikes) in his first outing while on a rehab assignment with the Lookouts. The left-hander is expected to be used as an opener Friday before throwing out of the bullpen next week for Chattanooga, per MLB.com.

Diaz said Monday that he's feeling "really good" following right elbow surgery and expressed confidence that he will be back to full strength in the second half of the season, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Diaz also explained that he's dealt with loose bodies in his elbow throughout most of his professional career but hadn't been affected by them until this season. The veteran closer underwent surgery to remove those loose bodies April 22 and stated Monday that he is "really surprised" that movement in his arm is "really good" so soon after the procedure. Diaz followed by saying he's "100 percent" confident that he'll be back at peak form in the second half of the campaign and shared that he wants to return to action "as soon as possible," though that isn't likely to happen until some time after the All-Star break.

O'Brien secured the save Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

While O'Brien did allow the tying run to get aboard, he held on for his eighth save of the year courtesy of an amazing leaping catch at the wall by Nathan Church for the game's final out. The right-hander is solidifying his grip on St. Louis' closer role, posting a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB over 15.1 frames. O'Brien trails only Mason Miller (10) in saves in the National League so far.

Pallante (3-2) tallied the win Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing one run on five hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out six.

Pallante delivered perhaps his finest effort of the season so far. The right-hander pitched a season-high six frames, issued no walks for the first time this year and also turned in his third start of the campaign with at least five innings while yielding one or no runs. Pallante has put together a respectable 3.73 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 26:14 K:BB over 31.1 frames, but he's next lined up for a tough assignment against the Brewers.

Milner struck out the only batter he faced to record a save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Padres.

The Cubs got 1.2 innings from Ben Brown following seven strong frames by starter Jameson Taillon, but when the Padres pinch hit lefty Gavin Sheets with two outs in the ninth, Chicago countered with the southpaw Milner. San Diego then went to the bench again and sent out Ramon Laureano, though Milner was up to the task. It was the reliever's first save of the season and just his second at the MLB level. With all of Daniel Palencia (lat), Riley Martin (elbow), Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) out, Milner has had to step into a more prominent role, and he's responded with a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 15 innings so far.

Faucher earned the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers, working around three walks in a scoreless ninth inning.

After Pete Fairbanks (hand) landed on the IL on Tuesday, it was Faucher who got the second crack at the ninth-inning job Wednesday after Tyler Phillips picked up the save Tuesday night. It didn't come easy for Faucher, who walked the bases loaded with one out, but he managed to induce a game-ending double play off the bat of Freddie Freeman to seal a one-run victory. The 30-year-old Faucher sports a 4.91 ERA with a 1.82 WHIP and 13:12 K:BB across 11 innings this season. He figures to share closing duties with Phillips and Anthony Bender while Fairbanks is sidelined.