MLB Player News

Hoffman has been shut down for the season due to elbow soreness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Hoffman has been out since late July, so he technically had a chance to return in late September for an appearance or two. That won't be happening now, though an MRI did at least reveal that Hoffman had avoided a ligament tear and therefore won't need Tommy John surgery.

Abbott isn't listed among the Nationals' three starting pitchers for this weekend's series with the Mets, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Though he is expected to eventually take over from the injured Cade Cavalli (shoulder) as Washington's No. 6 starter, the return of Josiah Gray to the rotation this weekend will allow the Nationals to push Abbott's turn back to next week. Abbott could be available out of the bullpen for the first two games of the series at Citi Field before likely slotting into the rotation at some point during a four-game set in St. Louis that begins Monday.

Gonzalez (elbow) is on track to return from the 60-day injured list in mid-September, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Gonzalez began his rehab assignment Aug. 16, so the Dodgers will have 30 days from that date to evaluate him before he'll have to be activated or pulled off the assignment. Through his first five rehab appearances between rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Triple-A Oklahoma City, Gonzalez has covered five innings while striking out five and allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks. Manager Dave Roberts said Tommy Kahnle (elbow) and Danny Duffy (forearm) are on similar return timelines, so the Dodgers may not have room for all three arms on the 28-man active roster down the stretch even if they all avoid setbacks during their respective rehab assignments.

Kahnle (forearm) is on track to return from the 60-day injured list later in September, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kahnle began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 24, so the Dodgers will have 30 days from that date to evaluate him before he'll have to be activated or pulled off the assignment. Through his first three appearances with the OKC Dodgers, Kahnle has covered three innings while striking out two and allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Victor Gonzalez (elbow) and Danny Duffy (forearm) are on similar return timelines, so the Dodgers may not have room for all three arms on the 28-man active roster down the stretch even if they all avoid setbacks during their respective rehab assignments.

Ottavino picked up the save in Thursday's 5-3 victory over the Dodgers. He didn't allow a baserunner while striking out two over one inning.

Ottavino has now recorded three saves in his last four appearances, and he has allowed just one run in 12 innings over his last 12 outings. In addition, the righty has allowed only two hits and one walk in 6.2 innings during his last six appearances. Normal closer Edwin Diaz navigated a tough eighth inning Thursday, and it's Diaz's own excellence that could yield Ottavino a few saves down the stretch, specifically in cases where Diaz has pitched the previous days or when game situations dictate him being used through the toughest parts of the order earlier than the ninth.

Jansen pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn a save against the Rockies on Thursday.

Jansen entered Thursday having allowed two runs in each of his previous two outings, but Atlanta manager Brian Snitker didn't hesitate to go to him again with his team up by three runs in the ninth. This time Jansen breezed through a scoreless frame, needing just eight pitches to set the side down in order. The veteran closer hasn't always inspired confidence this season and has posted an unappetizing 3.62 ERA, but he leads the majors with 31 saves in 36 attempts.

Pomeranz (elbow) suffered a recent setback during his rehab stint with Triple-A El Paso, and it's uncertain if he'll be able to return this season, per MLB.com.

Pomeranz began a minor-league rehab assignment in early August and tossed 4.2 innings over two weeks. He hasn't pitched since Aug. 19, however, after feeling discomfort in his left arm while with El Paso. Details about Pomeranz's status have been hazy, but with the season coming to a close, he's running out of time to make it back to big-league action. The lefty reliever hasn't pitched in the majors for over a year, so he'll likely need multiple more rehab outings if he's able to bounce back from his latest setback soon.

Naile was recalled by the Cardinals on Thursday.

While with Triple-A Memphis this year, Naile has recorded a 3.48 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 67.1 frames out of the bullpen. He has made two brief stints in the majors, throwing just six innings over five appearances this season and has allowed just two hits in that time. He figures to provide depth to what is already a very solid Cardinals bullpen.

Knehr was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Knehr will rejoin the Padres' bullpen since active rosters expanded to 28 players Thursday. He's spent the last month in the minors but posted a 1.50 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 12 innings over four appearances (one start) for San Diego earlier in the season.

Nelson (back) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Nelson has been out for the past month due to back spasms, but he'll rejoin the Diamondbacks on Thursday after making one rehab appearance with Triple-A Reno. The 26-year-old has eight holds with a 1.57 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB across 34.1 innings this year and should re-enter the high-leverage mix now that he's healthy.