MLB Player News

Crowe (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list and designated for assignment Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Crowe had a 1.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and six strikeouts in 5.2 innings during his rehab assignment. The 28-year-old righty is down from 95.3 mph on his fastball in 2022 to 94.0 mph this season, and he walked nine batters in 9.2 innings in the majors this year.

Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Ramirez has given up two earned runs in three straight outings (six earned runs in 4.2 innings) dating back to July 7. A corresponding move is expected before Friday's game against the Angels.

Avila made his first appearance Wednesday for Triple-A El Paso since being optioned to the affiliate July 3, working a scoreless inning in relief while allowing one hit and one walk in an 11-10 extra-inning win over Oklahoma City.

Avila had made 15 of his previous 18 appearances with El Paso as a starter, but he ended up working behind Aaron Brooks on Wednesday as the Triple-A club treated the game as a bullpen day. The Padres haven't provided an explanation behind the decision, but it's possible that Avila worked in relief in an effort to keep him fresh ahead of a possible spot start this weekend in Detroit. The Padres will need a starter Saturday to fill in for the injured Michael Wacha (shoulder), and Avila could be a logical choice to step in, given that he has a spot on the 40-man roster and has been starting in the minors. Ryan Weathers is another candidate to get the call-up from Triple-A to fill in for Wacha.

Gibaut struck out two over one inning in Wednesday's 3-2 win over San Francisco.

Gibaut, who entered after starter Graham Ashcraft gave up a leadoff home run in the seventh inning, retired all three batters faced. He was the first of three relievers to maintain the Reds' 3-2 lead and snap the team's six-game losing streak. Gibaut has been a dependable middle-relief arm and has pitched to a 1.08 ERA with nine strikeouts and one walk over 8.1 innings during July. For the season, the right-hander sports a 3.21 ERA with 11 holds, one save, 41 strikeouts, 19 walks and six home runs over 47.2 innings.

Hader struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 23rd save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Blue Jays.

He did hit a batter, but Hader then fanned Alejandro Kirk and George Springer to stifle any chance at a Toronto rally. Hader has converted 10 of 11 save chances since the beginning of June while not allowing an earned run during that stretch, posting a 1.17 WHIP and 22:9 K:BB in his last 13.2 innings.

Alvarado (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Alvarado went on the injured list on July 9 with left elbow inflammation but has felt better since being given a cortisone shot. The reliever missed a month earlier this season with the same injury, but it's unclear at this point whether a similar timetable is expected.

Williams gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to close out a 5-3 win over the Phillies.

The right-hander ran into a bit of trouble by giving up singles to Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott, but William Contreras threw out Stott attempting to steal second and Williams then fanned Alec Bohm to end the threat. The Milwaukee closer has been scored upon only once in his last 16 appearances, converting 14 of 15 save chances during that stretch with a 1.15 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 22:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings.

Bednar picked up the save in Wednesday's 7-5 victory over the Guardians. He struck out one over a scoreless inning and did not allow any hits or walks.

Bednar entered the game with a two-run lead in the top of the ninth and struck out Will Brennan on three straight pitches before quickly retiring the next two hitters to collect his 18th save of the season. The right-handed reliever needed only seven pitches to get through the frame, and he's now converted each of his last 14 save opportunities. Bednar also has not allowed an earned run since June 9 against the Mets, a span which covers 12 appearances.

Ginkel earned a save against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over one inning.

Ginkel's second save in as many days didn't come easily, as he faced the top of Atlanta's order and gave up a run on a double, a walk and a wild pitch. However, he was allowed to close out the victory despite seeing the tying run to come to the plate, which speaks to manager Torey Lovullo's trust in him. Ginkel has earned that trust with a 2.39 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB over 37.2 innings on the campaign. It may be premature to anoint him the Diamondbacks' full-time closer, but with Scott McGough having given up six runs over 1.1 frames since the All-Star break and having not recorded a save since July 1, Ginkel is likely the best Arizona bullpen option for fantasy managers chasing saves.

Diaz earned a save against the Giants on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

Diaz had no trouble protecting a one-run ninth-inning lead for Cincinnati, retiring all three batters he faced on 11 total pitches. The dynamic closer fanned two of those hitters, marking the 20th time over 44 outings on the campaign that he's struck out multiple batters. Diaz has blossomed into one of the game's elite closers in his second big-league season, posting a 1.90 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 65:19 K:BB over 41.2 frames while ranking second in the league with 27 saves.