MLB Player News
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Drew Pomeranz RP | LAA
Cubs' Drew Pomeranz: Will work as opener Saturday
Pomeranz is slated to serve as the Cubs' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
Chicago has a hole in its rotation after Jameson Taillon (calf) landed on the 15-day injured list Friday. Jordan Wicks was called up from Triple-A on Friday to take Taillon's roster spot, and he could pitch in bulk relief behind Pomeranz, though the Cubs haven't confirmed their plans for when the latter exits the contest. Pomeranz has worked as an opener twice this season and tossed exactly one inning both times, so he should be expected to see about the same workload this time around.
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Emilio Pagan RP | CIN
Reds' Emilio Pagan: Secures 19th save
Pagan earned the save in Friday's 9-6 win over the Phillies, allowing one hit without recording a walk or a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
Pagan was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and did so on 16 pitches. It was the 34-year-old's first save since June 22, but he's now allowed only one earned run over his past 12 outings. On the season, he's 19-for-22 in save chances with a 2.92 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 45:12 K:BB across 37 innings.
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Derek Law RP | ARI
Nationals' Derek Law: Resumes rehab assignement
Law (forearm) resumed his rehab assignment Wednesday, logging a scoreless inning for Triple-A Rochester, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Law reported a recurrence of arm soreness last week but he was only shut down for a brief period before getting back into game action. This was Law's first scoreless appearance in four rehab outings. He has not pitched at all in the majors this year, so he may need a few more appearances before he's ready to be activated.
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Chris Flexen RP | CHC
Cubs' Chris Flexen: Candidate to get stretched out
Manager Craig Counsell said Friday that Flexen is a candidate to get stretched out following the news that Jameson Taillon (calf) will be sidelined for a month or more, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
The 31-year-old righty made 16 or more starts in the big leagues each of the last four seasons but has worked solely in relief so far in 2025. He has a 0.62 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and a 15:8 K:BB in 29 innings as a reliever. Flexen's 6.5 K-BB% would rank third lowest among qualified starters behind Erick Fedde (4.0 K-BB%) and Jack Kochanowicz (5.6 K-BB%).
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Taijuan Walker SP | PHI
Phillies' Taijuan Walker: Rejoining rotation
Walker will re-enter the Phillies' starting rotation Tuesday against the Giants in San Francisco, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The veteran right-hander worked as a starter for Philadelphia early in the season but has spent the past month pitching out of the bullpen, and he's been decent in both roles with a 3.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 46:22 K:BB across 54.1 innings overall. Walker would likely only be able to cover about four innings while filling the spot vacated by Mick Abel, who was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday. Walker isn't guaranteed to stick in the rotation after the All-Star break, as the Phillies could soon be ready to call up top pitching prospect Andrew Painter from Triple-A to join the rotation. Aaron Nola (rib/ankle) will also be eligible to return from the 60-day injured list following the break, though it's unclear how close he might be to a return.
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Brandon Waddell RP | NYM
Mets' Brandon Waddell: Likely to pitch in bulk Sunday
Waddell is expected to make a spot start or serve as a bulk reliever Sunday against the Yankees, though the Mets haven't finalized their pitching plans, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The Mets called up the lefty from Triple-A Syracuse last week, and he's proceeded to make a pair of three-inning relief appearances since then, with his most recent outing coming Wednesday against the Brewers. Assuming he's not needed out of the bullpen Friday and Saturday, Waddell looks as though he'll be called upon to contribute in Sunday's series finale in some capacity. Though he's made eight starts with Syracuse this season, Waddell hasn't covered more than five innings at any level since May 28, so the Mets will likely look to manage his workload while he takes the hill Sunday on three days' rest.
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Chris Devenski RP | PIT
Mets' Chris Devenski: Rejoins big club
The Mets recalled Devenski from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander was sent to Syracuse in late June but will rejoin the Mets with Jose Butto (illness) hitting the injured list. Devenski has made four appearances for New York this year and has given up two earned runs with a 5:1 K:BB over five innings.
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Jose Butto SP | SF
Mets' Jose Butto: Moves to injured list
Butto was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to an unspecified illness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The organization isn't releasing the specifics of the ailment, but he's expected to be back shortly after the All-Star break. Chris Devenski was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the open bullpen spot.
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Jordan Wicks SP | CHC
Cubs' Jordan Wicks: Back in majors
The Cubs recalled Wicks from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
The left-hander will join the 26-man active roster in place of Jameson Taillon, who landed on the injured list Friday due to a calf strain. Wicks is a candidate to step into Chicago's rotation with Taillon out, though veteran Chris Flexen may be the favorite to fill the spot, per Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com.
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Ryne Stanek RP | STL
Mets' Ryne Stanek: Notches seventh hold
Stanek struck out three in 1.1 perfect innings of relief Thursday to record his seventh hold of the season in a win over the Brewers.
The right-hander fired 12 of 15 pitches for strikes in a dominant performance. Stanek has picked up holds in back-to-back appearances, and while he remains prone to meltdowns he's been dialed in over the last couple weeks, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB in his last six innings. He's tied for third on the Mets in holds, behind Reed Garrett's 14 and Huascar Brazoban's 10, but Stanek could get bumped further down the pecking order for setup work if the team makes significant bullpen additions at the trade deadline.