MLB Player News

Abbott remains in line to start Tuesday's home game against the Mets, even though he appeared out of the bullpen in Sunday's 5-0 win over the Cardinals, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Even though he was named a starter for the series against the Mets in advance of Sunday's contest, Abbott surprisingly entered the game in the ninth inning with the Cardinals holding a five-run lead. Abbott struck out two over the 21-pitch scoreless inning, which manager Dave Martinez clarified afterward was something that the right-hander asked to do in lieu of throwing a traditional between-starts bullpen session. The impromptu relief appearance shouldn't affect Abbott's workload Tuesday, but the fact that he hasn't pitched more than 4.1 innings in any of his outings for the big club or Triple-A Rochester this season means he likely won't work deep into his upcoming start.

Bolton (illness) was reinstated from Triple-A Altoona's COVID-19-related injured list Wednesday and tossed two innings in his return to action, striking out one while giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks.

Bolton was on the shelf for three and a half weeks before clearing COVID-19-related protocols. Over 17 appearances (10 starts) for Altoona on the season, Bolton has submitted a 2.96 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 48.2 innings.

Jansen (5-0) earned the victory Sunday, striking out a batter in one inning while walking one in a 1-0 win over Arizona.

Jansen (back) entered a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth inning and Atlanta walked it off in the bottom half of the inning to secure the win for the closer. Jansen was unavailable Saturday after feeling a twinge in his back Friday but was feeling well enough Sunday to enter a tied game in the ninth. Since returning from a stint on the injured list with an irregular heartbeat, he's 4-for-4 in save chances and has allowed two runs in 6.2 innings while striking out seven.

Garcia saved Sunday's 3-2 win against the Twins, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

With the recent news that Taylor Rogers would get "a little bit of a break" from closing duties per manager Bob Melvin, Garcia received first crack at the job and delivered a seamless ninth inning in a one-run game to register his first save of the season. Teammate Nick Martinez recently saved Tuesday's victory over Detroit and is second on the team to Rogers with four saves, though he pitched the 10th after Rogers appeared in the ninth inning. The 35-year-old Garcia has compiled a solid 1.93 ERA through nine July appearances with as many strikeouts (10) as baserunners allowed.

Manaea (6-5) earned the win during Sunday's 3-2 victory over Minnesota, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in six innings.

Manaea navigated the first four frames unscathed but ran into trouble thereafter, surrendering solo home runs in the fifth and sixth innings while stranding the bases loaded in the fifth. The 30-year-old fired 56 of 83 pitches for strikes with an impressive 13 of the swinging variety while the seven strikeouts match his best total across his last nine turns. Manaea now possesses a 4.25 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 111 strikeouts in 110 innings across 19 starts. He's currently scheduled to take the mound again next weekend against the Dodgers.

Nelson will start a bullpen game for the Phillies against Atlanta on Tuesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Nelson served as an opener July 7 against the Nationals and struck out two in two scoreless innings. The right-hander should be able to pitch longer than usual since he hasn't made an appearance since July 26, but he shouldn't be expected to handle a significant workload since the Phillies are planning for a bullpen game. Nelson posted a 1.59 ERA, 15:5 K:BB and 1.24 WHIP in 11.1 innings over eight appearances in July.

Abbott is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 26-year-old was recalled by Washington on Saturday and will join the rotation with Erick Fedde (shoulder) recently placed on the injured list. Abbott's two big-league appearances this year have come out of the bullpen, but he's started six games for Triple-A Rochester and has a 5.08 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 34:17 K:BB over 28.1 innings.

Reed was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Reed was called up by Los Angeles on Wednesday and allowed one run over 2.2 innings during his brief time in the majors. It's the fifth demotion for the 29-year-old this year, so if he returns to the big leagues the Dodgers won't be able to send him back down without exposing him to waivers.

Cabrera (3-2) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one in one inning, taking the loss and a blown save versus the Nationals on Saturday.

Jordan Hicks pitched a clean sixth inning but hit the first batter he faced in the seventh. Cabrera entered the contest and walked Juan Soto before giving up a three-run home run to Josh Bell, and the Cardinals couldn't catch up again later in the game. Through six appearances in July, Cabrera's been charged with four runs, though those have been accumulated between two outings. He has a 2.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 32:16 K:BB with a save, a blown save and 10 holds in 36.2 innings. Despite the unsteady performances since returning from the COVID-19 injured list, the southpaw remains in a high-leverage role.

Rogers (2-3) struck out three in two perfect innings to earn the win Saturday over the Cubs.

Starter Jakob Junis didn't qualify for the win by going only four innings, with Rogers providing solid multi-inning relief. For much of July, Rogers' role has evolved into that of a middle reliever. He's allowed six runs on 10 hits and seven walks with seven strikeouts over 12.1 innings. He's posted a 4.56 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 29:16 K:BB in 47.1 innings overall while collecting 11 holds and a blown save through 45 outings.