Stephens might be called up to replace Didier Fuentes in the big-league rotation, David O'Brien of the Athletic reports.

Fuentes has coughed up 10 runs in 8.1 inning over his first two starts for Atlanta with a 4:1 K:BB, and while the organization still believes in his future, the 20-year-old doesn't appear ready for the majors. Stephens has spent most of the year in the bullpen for Triple-A Gwinnett, but in two starts since being shifted to the rotation June 20, he's tossed nine scoreless frames with a 12:3 K:BB. The veteran righty has made appearances for Atlanta in each of the last three season, posting a 3.52 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 60:29 K:BB in 69 innings while working primarily in relief.

The Diamondbacks signed Mengden to a minor-league contract Thursday.

After spending the 2024 season in the Chinese Professional Baseball League, Mengden had been pitching this season in the Mexican League. The 32-year-old has not seen any action at the major-league level since 2022 and is merely organizational depth for Arizona.

Kerkering (5-3) was charged with the loss in Thursday's 2-1 defeat to the Astros, giving up one run on two hits with no strikeouts in the eighth inning.

Although it was not a save situation, the 24-year-old right-hander allowed his first earned run since May 6. Thursday ended a streak of 19 appearances without an earned run for Kerkering, who was summoned to face the top of Houston's lineup but failed to keep the game tied. Kerkering has still worked to a 1.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB over his last 23.1 innings, so he should remain in Philadelphia's closer mix going forward.

Pomeranz worked around a hit to toss a scoreless inning and earn a hold in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals. He struck out one.

Pomeranz got the nod in the eighth inning of a close game instead of Ryan Pressly, who last pitched Tuesday. Pressly recorded a save as recently as June 12, though since then, Daniel Palencia has rattled off three saves, including his eighth of the season Thursday. Palencia has been excellent and seems to be strengthening his grip on the closer role, but it appears that the bullpen is a bit fluid in front of him. Pomeranz has also been excellent this season, as he still hasn't allowed an earned run across 21.2 innings. The lefty also has five holds and a save, and his strong play figures to keep him in a high-leverage role for the Cubs moving forward, along with Pressly and the recently activated Porter Hodge.

Birdsong (3-2) allowed seven runs on four hits and four walks while striking out one over four-plus innings to take the loss Thursday versus the Marlins.

Birdsong gave up a three-run home run to Kyle Stowers in the first inning as well as a two-run blast to Agustin Ramirez in the third. More trouble popped up in the fifth, which led to Birdsong's exit from the contest. It's a second shaky outing in a row -- the 23-year-old has allowed 12 runs (11 earned) over his last 8.1 innings. He's now at a 4.13 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 56:24 K:BB across 56.2 innings over 18 appearances (seven starts) this season, and he's trending in the wrong direction. It's unclear at this time if his rotation spot is in danger. He's tentatively scheduled for a road start in Arizona early next week.

Junk allowed five runs on eight hits and struck out one without walking a batter over 3.2 innings in a no-decision Thursday versus the Giants.

Junk avoided walking a batter, but that was about the only positive to take from this unusually high-scoring contest at Oracle Park. He hasn't issued a walk in any of his last three outings, allowing six runs over 14.1 innings while adding 10 strikeouts. Junk won those previous two appearances and looks poised to have first dibs on the rotation spot that opened up when Max Meyer (hip) was ruled out for the season. Junk is at a 3.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 26:2 K:BB across 31.1 innings over seven appearances this year. The 29-year-old is projected to make his next start at home versus the Twins.

Palencia earned the save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals, allowing one hit while striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

Palencia was summoned to protect a three-run lead and worked around a double and a hit batter by striking out the next three hitters to close things out. Through eight June appearances, the 26-year-old has converted all three of his save chances while allowing two earned runs and posting an 11:1 K:BB. He's 8-for-9 in save opportunities this season with a 1.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB across 29 innings.

Scott walked one and struck out one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Rockies.

Scott has six saves and two holds over his last eight appearances, a span in which he's allowed two runs (one earned) over 8.1 innings. The walk he issued Thursday was just the fifth he's permitted all season, but he was able to erase the mistake with a game-ending double play. Scott is at a 3.55 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 41 strikeouts over 38 innings while adding 17 saves, seven holds and five blown saves while working as Los Angeles' main closing option.

The Pirates designated Stratton for assignment Thursday.

Stratton lost his spot in Pittsburgh's bullpen Tuesday, and he'll now be pushed off the 40-man roster entirely to create room for Genesis Cabrera, who inked an MLB deal with the Pirates on Thursday. Stratton owns a 4.30 ERA through 52.1 career innings in the majors and carries a 3.91 ERA in Triple-A this year, so he could still land with another team via waivers.

The Pirates optioned Darrell-Hicks to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Just two days after coming up from the minors, Darrell-Hicks will head back to Indianapolis to make room for the newly signed Genesis Cabrera. Darrell-Hicks has given up eight earned runs over 9.2 innings during his time in the big leagues this year, and his Triple-A performance hasn't been much better (8.14 ERA through 24.1 IP).