MLB Player News

Banks will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher in Friday's game versus the Brewers, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Banks holds a 6.08 ERA on the season, but a 2.75 FIP and 27 strikeouts over 23.2 innings point to some bad luck. He'll handle the first inning or two for the Phillies before turning things over to bulk reliever Andrew Painter.

The Giants recalled Walker from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Walker began the season as the Giants' de facto closer but was demoted to Sacramento just over a month ago after posting a 6.46 ERA and 14:10 K:BB over 15.1 innings. He seemed to get back on track at Sacramento, permitting two runs with a 7:3 K:BB across 9.1 frames. No one has taken hold of the Giants' closer job since Walker was optioned, so he could push his way back into the late-inning mix. Initially, however, the club is likely to ease him in with some low-leverage outings.

The Pirates optioned Bidois to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bidois has had a rough week, yielding five runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over two innings in two appearances. His spot in the bullpen will be filled by Antwone Kelly.

The Giants optioned Seymour to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Seymour was tagged for four runs over 1.1 innings in a relief outing Wednesday versus the Nationals. He will likely rejoin the rotation at Sacramento. The Giants will announce a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's contest against the Cubs.

Assad is listed as the Cubs' scheduled starting pitcher for Friday's game in San Francisco.

Assad tossed 6.1 scoreless innings of relief Sunday versus the Giants after entering in place of the injured Jameson Taillon (hamstring). With Taillon now on the injured list and Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) recently suffering a setback, Assad should have the opportunity to make multiple starts for the Cubs. He's collected a 4.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB over 32.1 innings covering three starts and six relief appearances in 2026.

Scott struck out three over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Thursday's 8-6 win over the Pirates.

Scott was brought in to put out a fire in the eighth inning and did just that, and he stayed on for the ninth to lock down the save, his seventh of the season and first since June 2. It's been a bit of a bumpy stretch for him -- this was the first time he hadn't allowed a baserunner since May 29 versus the Phillies. He's given up five runs over his last 5.1 innings, though he hasn't walked a batter in that stretch. Scott is at a 2.48 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 35:3 K:BB through 29 innings. He's added five holds and continues to be the Dodgers' top option for high-leverage moments.

Fairbanks earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Fairbanks was called upon to protect a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning and made quick work of Arizona, retiring the side in order on 13 pitches. It was one of the better outings in what has been an inconsistent campaign for the veteran reliever, and Thursday marked just the third time over his past 12 appearances that he didn't allow a hit or a walk. Fairbanks continues to serve as Miami's primary closer despite holding a 6.63 ERA and 1.47 WHIP through 19 innings spanning 21 outings on the season. He's converted eight of 10 save chances and has a 27:11 K:BB.

Phillips (1-1) earned the win over Arizona on Thursday, allowing two hits and issuing two walks while striking out five batters over five-plus scoreless innings.

Phillips served as a bulk reliever in his previous outing June 5, but he was deployed as a starter Thursday. The right-hander excelled in that role, limiting the Diamondbacks to just one hit through five frames. Phillips went back out for the sixth and yielded a single before being lifted at 70 pitches. Having worked out of the bullpen for most of the campaign, Phillips isn't yet up to a full starter's workload, topping out at 82 pitches in that June 5 piggyback appearance. He should be able to push his pitch count up as he settles into the rotation, and he may be worth a look for fantasy managers in need of pitching given his 2.95 ERA across 18.1 innings since moving into the rotation. His 14:8 K:BB over that span is less appealing, however.

Williams earned the save in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals, striking out a pair in a perfect ninth inning.

Williams made quick work of St. Louis on Wednesday to close out the Mets' one-run victory, earning his ninth save this season. After a shaky start to the year, Williams has now converted his last seven save chances while holding opponents scoreless in 14 of his last 16 appearances. Overall, Williams sports a 5.32 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB across 22 innings this season.

Hurt (1-1) took the loss and was charged with a blown save Wednesday against Pittsburgh, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks over one-third of an inning.

Hurt was summoned to begin the eighth frame with the Dodgers up 6-4. He quickly gave up the lead by issuing two walks, which were followed by a Tyler Callihan three-run homer. Hurt then surrendered two more hits before being replaced by Jack Dreyer, and the only out Hurt recorded came when Jake Mangum was caught stealing. The poor outing was the continuation of a rough stretch for Hurt, who has given up eight earned runs over his past 3.1 frames spanning four appearances. Prior to that, the right-hander had been extremely effective, pitching to a 1.00 ERA and 0.78 WHIP with a 21:4 K:BB through his first 18 innings of the season.