MLB Player News
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Jalen Beeks RP | TEX
Diamondbacks' Jalen Beeks: Returns from injured list
The Diamondbacks reinstated Beeks (back) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
The left-hander landed on the shelf July 11 due to back inflammation but is ready to rejoin the Diamondbacks after one rehab outing with Triple-A Reno. Beeks has a 4.39 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 39:15 K:BB across 41 innings this season and should fill a high-leverage role for Arizona.
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JoJo Romero RP | STL
Cardinals' JoJo Romero: Top candidate for saves with Cards
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak indicated Thursday that Romero is the top candidate to take over the team's closer role following the trade of Ryan Helsley, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Manager Oliver Marmol has the ultimate say, and it's possible he'll have a difference of opinion than Mozeliak, but Romero is the most logical candidate to see save chances after the departure of Helsley and Phil Maton. Romero has been the club's top left-handed setup man for most of the season and has permitted only one earned run with a 28:8 K:BB over 25 innings since the start of May. Riley O'Brien and Kyle Leahy could be the top options from the right side for save opportunities if Marmol wants to play matchups.
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Zach Brzykcy RP | MIA
Nationals' Zach Brzykcy: Could be in saves mix
Brzykcy might be part of the ninth-inning mix for the Nationals with Kyle Finnegan having been traded to the Tigers, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
The 26-year-old right-hander's numbers in 2025 jump off the page in a bad way, as he carries a 7.06 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB over 21.2 innings. Brzykcy does have a 46.3 percent whiff rate on his changeup to go along with a mid-90s fastball and effective curve, and that might be the closest thing to a true out pitch in the Washington bullpen at the moment. He's a long shot to claim the closer role outright, but Brzykcy could be part of a ninth-inning committee with lefty Jose Ferrer and righty Cole Henry.
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Cole Henry RP | WAS
Nationals' Cole Henry: Might get save chances
Henry could be part of the ninth-inning mix for the Nationals with Kyle Finnegan having been traded to the Tigers, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
The 26-year-old rookie right-hander hasn't been particularly impressive this season, leaning on his mid-90s four-seam fastball and low-80s curve to post a 3.96 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 37:20 K:BB over 38.2 innings. No one in Washington's big-league 'pen has closer-worthy numbers though, so Henry might get a shot as part of a ninth-inning committee with lefty Jose Ferrer and righty Zach Brzykcy.
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Jose Ferrer RP | SEA
Nationals' Jose Ferrer: Could be favorite to close
Ferrer is likely to be part of the ninth-inning mix for the Nationals with Kyle Finnegan having been traded to the Tigers, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.
The 25-year-old southpaw boasts a power sinker that's averaged 97.4 mph this season and a changeup with a 42.7 percent whiff rate, but Ferrer's actual ratios don't match the scouting report, as he has a 4.78 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and meager 20.1 percent strikeout rate over 52.2 innings in 2025. If the Nats determine he isn't closer material, right-handers Cole Henry and Zach Brzykcy could get save chances instead, and a committee approach might be the most likely scenario unless someone seizes the closing role.
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Dane Dunning SP | SEA
Braves' Dane Dunning: Sent to Triple-A
Atlanta optioned Dunning to Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.
The right-hander surrendered five runs without recording an out Thursday against the Reds and is being demoted in favor of Austin Cox. In four appearances since being acquired by Atlanta, Dunning has given up nine runs with a 6:2 K:BB over 5.2 innings.
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Austin Cox RP | ATL
Braves' Austin Cox: Back in majors
Atlanta recalled Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.
The left-hander has spent the past couple weeks in the minors but is back with Atlanta ahead of Friday's game in Cincinnati. Cox has made six MLB appearances this year and has allowed two earned runs with an 11:1 K:BB over eight innings.
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Gavin Hollowell RP | CHC
Cubs' Gavin Hollowell: Demoted to Triple-A
The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
The right-hander was called up by Chicago on Tuesday and will head back to Triple-A to clear roster space for the club's trade deadline additions. Hollowell fired a scoreless inning Tuesday and has given up just one earned run across 7.1 frames in the majors this season.