MLB Player News

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Smith was recalled when Carlos Estevez landed on the paternity list Friday, but he'll return to the minors one day later with Estevez already back with the team. Smith didn't draw into Friday's game versus the Pirates during his most recent stint in the majors.

Estevez was activated off the paternity list Saturday.

Players may spend between one and three days on the paternity list. Estevez wound up spending the minimum amount, having only just left the team Friday. Chad Smith was optioned to clear space for his return.

Yacabonis was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain Saturday, retroactive to July 13, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Yacabonis hasn't been particularly sharp recently, and he gave up six runs (five earned) in two innings over his last two appearances. The right-hander will be unavailable until nearly the end of July due to his injury, while his placement on the IL clears space on the active roster for Max Meyer, whose contract was selected Saturday.

Moreta was placed on the injured list for undisclosed reasons Saturday.

The Reds declined to note both the reason for Moreta's absence and the specific injured list he landed on, which fits the pattern teams have used when placing players on the COVID-19 injured list. Ryan Hendrix was called up to take his place on the roster.

Leiter was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Leiter was called up by the Cubs on June 21 but wasn't particularly sharp during his stint with the major-league club. He posted a 4.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 21.1 innings over seven outings during his time in the big leagues and will head back to the minors as part of a move after Steven Brault's contract was selected Saturday.

Minter walked one and struck out one in a third of an inning Friday to record his fifth save of the season in an 8-4 win over the Nationals.

Will Smith began the ninth inning with Atlanta ahead 8-1, but his struggles forced manager Brian Snitker to turn to Minter to quash a Washington rally as Kenley Jansen had pitched each of the prior two days. Over his last 10 appearances, a stretch that includes all five of his saves plus three of his 18 holds, Minter sports a 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings.

Junis (hamstring) is a candidate to return from the injured list ahead of Saturday's game against the Brewers, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Mauricio Llovera left Friday's game against the Brewers due to a flexor strain, so Junis would likely provide length out of the bullpen if he's ultimately cleared to return Saturday. Alex Cobb and Logan Webb are listed as the probable starters for Saturday and Sunday, respectively, but Junis said that he's built up to approximately 50-60 pitches. The right-hander has made two rehab appearances in the Arizona Complex League and has allowed a run on five hits and no walks while striking out four in four innings.

Llovera was removed from Friday's win over the Brewers due to a flexor strain, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Llovera entered Friday's matchup in the top of the sixth inning and allowed no hits and a walk while striking out two in 1.2 innings. However, he was removed after throwing 31 pitches. He'll undergo further testing to determine the extent of his injury, but Jakob Junis (hamstring) is a candidate to return Saturday if the Giants need a bulk reliever.

Dominguez walked three batters and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his fourth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander loaded the bases with only one out, but Dominguez was able to get Jesus Sanchez to hit a grounder that resulted in a force out at home before fanning Miguel Rojas to end the game. With Corey Knebel potentially back in the save mix along with Brad Hand, Dominguez can't afford many more performances like this if he wants to remain part of the Phillies' ninth-inning committee.

Hader (0-4) allowed six runs on five hits and a hit batter in one-third of an inning, taking the loss Friday versus the Giants.

Hader gave up three home runs, including a walkoff grand slam to Mike Yastrzemski after solo shots from Joey Bart and Darin Ruf made it a one-run game. After starting the year in dominant form for two months, Hader's season has taken a sour turn of late. He's allowed 15 runs across 12.1 innings in his last 14 appearances, which includes both of his blown saves this year. He's 27-for-29 in save chances with a 4.50 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 52:11 K:BB in 30 innings overall. Extended struggles haven't often been a thing in the southpaw's career, so it's worth monitoring how he responds after the All-Star break.