MLB Player News

Blach was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.

He last appeared in Friday's game, tossing a clean inning of relief. Blach has a 5.73 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 20 strikeouts in 37.2 innings in the big leagues this season.

Abbott was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after Sunday's game against Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

He did not pitch in the game despite being promoted just ahead of the contest. Abbott has given up one run while striking out four in three innings in the majors and has a 5.34 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 30.1 innings at Triple-A.

The Cubs designated Norris for assignment Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Norris will cede his spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster to fellow reliever Erich Uelmen, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa. Over his 30 innings with the Cubs this season, Norris turned in a 6.90 ERA and 1.47 WHIP.

The Cubs selected Uelmen's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Chicago designated reliever Daniel Norris for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Uelmen, a 2017 fourth-round draft pick who will reach the majors for the first time in his career. The 26-year-old right-hander turned in a 2.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 52:23 K:BB across 42 innings with Iowa this season.

The Pirates recalled Wilson from Triple-A Indianapolis and will have him start Sunday's game against the Rockies in Colorado, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Reliever Chase De Jong (knee) was placed on the 15-day injured list to open up a spot on the active roster for Wilson, who will be making his ninth start of the season with the big club. Over his 11 total appearances in the big leagues this season, Wilson has gone 1-5 with a 6.60 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 35:16 K:BB across 46.1 innings, so expectations should be tempered as he pitches in one of baseball's least-forgiving environments for pitchers in Coors Field.

The Cardinals placed VerHagen on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right hip impingement.

Just four days ago, VerHagen returned from a three-week stint on the IL due to a sore right shoulder, but he made only two appearances out of the St. Louis bullpen before succumbing to another injury. His latest IL stint is backdated to Friday, so he'll be eligible to return as soon as July 30. The Cardinals reinstated Steven Matz (shoulder) from the IL in a corresponding move in advance of his scheduled start Sunday against the Reds.

Hill earned a hold against Arizona on Saturday, allowing two hits and no walks in one scoreless inning.

Hill was called upon in the eighth inning as the bridge to closer Taylor Rogers with San Diego nursing a one-run lead. He made things interesting by giving up consecutive one-out singles, but the southpaw was able to get out of danger by inducing an inning-ending double play. Hill picked up five holds across his first 10 outings of the season, but this was his first since May 23 -- a span of 19 games. His strikeout rate has been cut exactly in half to 11.0 percent after he posted a 22.0 percent rate in 2021, and he's posted a 4.15 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 26 innings overall this season.

The Nationals optioned Harvey to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Since he tossed an inning in relief in three of the past four days, Harvey was unlikely to be available for Sunday's series finale versus Atlanta, a game the Nationals are treating as a bullpen day. With that in mind, the Nationals opted to replace Harvey on the 26-man active roster with Cory Abbott, who will be available as a multi-inning relief option after getting a call-up from Rochester.

The Nationals recalled Abbott from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Sunday's game against Atlanta, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Abbott is back with the Nationals three days after he was returned to the minors upon being designated as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the Mariners. He covered two frames in relief in the first game of the twin bill that day and should be available as a multi-inning option Sunday behind starter Erasmo Ramirez, who won't work deep into the contest in what will be a bullpen day for Washington.

Bard pitched a scoreless ninth inning, giving up only a walk while striking out one to earn the save in a 2-0 win over the Pirates on Saturday.

Bard was called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning, and he got the job done for his 20th save of the year. Bard has been one of 2022's biggest surprises, as he came into the season without having been assigned the closer role. The 37-year-old veteran has made the most of the opportunity and now boasts an excellent 2.02 ERA and 1.01 WHIP despite pitching at Coors Field. His 20 saves tie him for fourth most in MLB.