MLB Player News

The Marlins selected Smeltzer's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Smeltzer was pushed off the 40-man roster last month, but he remained with Miami after passing through waivers unclaimed and will now get another opportunity at the big-league level. The left-hander figures to operate in a low-leverage bullpen role.

Hartlieb was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Wednesday.

Hartlieb has made only two major-league appearances with the Marlins this season and owns a career 7.17 ERA in 70.1 total innings of work at baseball's highest level. Devin Smeltzer will take his place on the 40-man roster.

Young (hamstring) is set to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Louisville.

Young landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 26 due to left hamstring tightness, but the 29-year-old southpaw appears on track to be activated when first eligible this weekend. He's delivered a solid 3.31 ERA and 45:19 K:BB through 49 innings of relief for the Reds in 2023.

Cincinnati optioned Legumina to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Legumina worked a scoreless inning of relief in the Reds' win over the Mariners on Tuesday, but he carries a rough 5.68 ERA, 1.97 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB in 12.2 major-league innings this season. Lyon Richardson was recalled in a corresponding roster move and will get the start in Wednesday's series finale versus Seattle.

Cubs manager David Ross said Alzolay is available to pitch Wednesday versus the Giants after overcoming an undisclosed minor injury, Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com reports.

Ross declined to offer any specifics on Alzolay's injury, but whatever it was appears to have abated enough for the closer to be ready to pitch. "When guys are dealing with stuff, you've just got to give a little bit of a rest," Ross said. "Sometimes, four days is better than 15."

Crawford has a 1.13 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 14:6 K:BB in eight innings across six appearances since getting promoted to High-A Eugene on July 14.

In theory, the Giants may still be developing Crawford as a two-way player, but he only has one plate appearance (a strikeout) at High-A after getting 18 plate appearances while with Single-A San Jose earlier this season. It seems likely that his future will be on the mound, where the 22-year-old has an electric power arsenal from the left side, although the Giants have been very careful with his workload this year. He has huge raw power, but Crawford will struggle to develop a strong enough hit tool, especially while also working on his craft as a pitcher.

Junis allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings during Tuesday's 11-8 loss to the Cubs. He did not factor in the decision.

Junis led the Giants' staff in both innings pitched and pitches (44; 27 strikes), though it was far from a true bulk assignment. The right-hander remains a versatile option out of the bullpen, but he has been pitching roughly every fifth day for a few weeks. Junis has a 3.97 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 88:20 K:BB across 79.1 innings over 37 appearances (four starts). Given the length of Tuesday's outing, he could be available some time over the weekend against the Rockies, though he would line up to make his next outing versus the Guardians.

Andrews was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Andrews was called up from Nashville after being solid out of the bullpen with a 2.57 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. However, in his one outing after being called up, he gave up three earned runs without being able to record an out. In a corresponding move, Thyago Vieira was selected from Triple-A.

Vieira was called up from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Vieira has spent the entire 2023 season in Nashville. In 37.2 innings, the reliever posted a 3.35 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. His last major-league appearance came in 2019 with the White Sox and after that he pitched in Japan. In a corresponding move, Clayton Andrews was optioned to Triple-A.

Greene was designated for assignment Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

He tossed a scoreless inning in his one appearance with the Cubs but has lost his roster spot to Luke Little. Greene will have the opportunity to elect free agency if he wants, assuming he clears waivers.