MLB Player News

Smith was optioned to the team's alternate training site Thursday in order to make room for Michael Wacha on the 28-man roster, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith holds a decent 3.00 ERA on the campaign, but is the odd man out with Michael Wacha (shoulder) being activated from the injured list. Wacha was originally scheduled to start Thursday, but with the game being postponed, he will now start Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Jansen picked up the save after tossing a scoreless ninth inning in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Giants. He allowed one hit and a walk while striking out three.

Jansen was tasked with protecting a two-run lead in the seventh inning. After giving up a leadoff bunt to Brandon Belt, whose solo homer was the cause of Jansen's first blown save of the season Tuesday, the right-hander recorded back-to-back strikeouts before walking Joey Bart. Luckily, the threat ended as quickly as it began with the third strikeout of the inning. Jansen is now 7-for-8 on save opportunities this season with a 1.32 ERA and 0.80 WHIP.

De Leon was recalled to serve as the 29th man for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Brewers.

De Leon allowed eight runs on four hits and four walks Aug. 6 and was optioned to the alternate training site shortly thereafter. He has been added to Cincinnati's roster for the second half of the twin bill and will likely be sent back to the alternate site following the nightcap.

Ferguson is starting Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Giants, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Ferguson will get the spot start in place of Walker Buehler (finger), who landed on the injured list earlier in the day. The southpaw hasn't pitched more than 1.1 innings yet this season, so he likely won't be tasked with many innings Thursday.

Johnson (3-1) picked up the win while not allowing a baserunner in one inning pitched during Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Mariners. He struck out two.

Johnson entered the game with no outs and a runner on third in the seventh after Craig Stammen allowed five consecutive batters to reach and three runs to score. He allowed a sacrifice fly to Austin Nola that extended Seattle's lead to 7-3, but struck out the next two to end the inning. Johnson wound up picking up his third win as the Padres rallied for seven runs in the bottom half of the inning to win the seven-inning tilt.

Lamet allowed three runs on five hits and two walks across five innings in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Mariners. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

Lamet got through the first three innings unscathed, but allowed a two-run homer to Jose Marmolejos and an RBI single to Shed Long in the fourth. He bounced back in the fifth to retire Seattle in order but was pulled after walking Austin Nola to start the sixth. It marked a season high in runs allowed by the right-hander, but he still sports a tidy 2.35 ERA to go along with 51 strikeouts on the campaign. Lamet is scheduled to take the ball Wednesday in Anaheim.

Grace was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

Grace has allowed six runs without recording an out over his past two appearances, so this move isn't overly surprising. Joel Payamps was summoned from the team's alternate training site in a corresponding move.

Payamps was recalled from Arizona's alternate camp site Thursday.

Payamps spent time with the Diamondbacks earlier in the month but went unused out of the bullpen. He made two appearances with Arizona last season, giving up two earned runs over four innings. Look for the righty to fill a low-leverage relief role during his time in the majors.

Howard's scheduled start against the Nationals on Thursday was postponed, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The two teams have opted not to play in protest of the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake. The Phillies have yet to announce how they will adjust their rotation following Thursday's postponement, leaving Howard's next start up in the air.

Reyes (1-0) was credited with the victory in a win over the Royals on Wednesday, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks over two innings. He also struck out two.

Tasked with preventing a 3-2 deficit from widening when he entered in the eighth, Reyes got into trouble during his second inning of work after recording a strikeout of Alex Gordon to start the frame. The right-hander subsequently allowed a two-run double to Whit Merrifield that widened the Royals' lead to 5-2. The Cardinals' wild four-run rally in the home half of the ninth ultimately garnered Reyes his first big-league win since 2016, albeit under highly unusual circumstances. The 25-year-old did suffer further damage to his ERA, which now sits at a bloated 5.68 across 6.1 innings over six appearances (one start).