MLB Player News

Finnegan was unavailable for Saturday's game against the Giants due to shoulder fatigue, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

Finnegan hasn't pitched since blowing a save against Atlanta on Thursday. He reported soreness in his shoulder following his last outing, but manager Dave Martinez said that imaging on his shoulder came back negative, and the 33-year-old righty is considered day-to-day for now.

Martinez (1-2) was charged with his first blown save of the season and took the loss Saturday against the Cardinals, coughing up two runs on two hits and a walk in one inning. He struck out two.

Brought on in the bottom of the eighth inning to protect a 4-3 lead in his first action since coming off the IL on Friday, Martinez struck out the first batter he faced but quickly ran into trouble before giving up a two-out, two-run single to Jordan Walker. The usage suggests Shelby Miller would have been used in the ninth if Arizona still held the lead, but it might only take a couple clean appearances for Martinez to regain the closer role. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told Joe Harris of MLB.com upon Martinez's activation off the injured list Friday that he would be eased back into closing duties. That's easier said than done, however -- he's been tagged for a run in four straight games dating back to late April, prior to being shut down with shoulder inflammation. On the bright side, Martinez showed his usual elite velocity Saturday as he hit triple digits on the radar gun with six of his 23 pitches.

The Marlins optioned Bachar to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

Bachar gave the Marlins 2.2 innings out of the bullpen and allowed one run during Friday's contest, dropping his ERA to 4.73 through 26.2 frames on the year. In an effort to keep their bullpen stocked with fresh arms, the Marlins will now send him back to Triple-A in favor of Janson Junk, though Bachar could still return to Miami before the end of the year.

The Marlins selected Junk's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday.

Junk has spent the entire season in the minors, turning in a 2.78 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 45.1 innings. Riding plenty of momentum, he'll now get another chance to prove himself in the big leagues, likely as a long-relief option. Lake Bachar was optioned to Jacksonville to make room on the active roster, and Rob Brantly (lat) was moved to the 60-day IL to create a 40-man spot.

The Dodgers optioned Sauer to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Sauer pitched three innings and gave up two runs (one earned) in Friday's 13-inning marathon and will now end up as the odd man out of a roster spot with Bobby Miller coming up from Triple-A. Sauer owns a 3.05 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 20.2 innings in the big leagues this season, so there's a good chance we'll see him back in Dodger blue later this year.

Reynolds will start Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Reynolds will be filling in for Michael King, who was scratched from his scheduled start due to a shoulder injury. Saturday will mark Reynolds' first start in the majors and only the fourth start of his professional career, though he isn't expected to last more than an inning or two.

The Mets recalled Waddell from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.

The Mets used eight pitchers during their marathon game against the Dodgers on Friday, so they'll bring up Waddell to get a fresh arm in their bullpen. The 30-year-old lefty has throwing 4.1 scoreless innings in the majors this season and owns a 3.06 ERA in 32.1 frames at Triple-A. Genesis Cabrera was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Cubs selected Kriske's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

After turning in a 3.57 ERA and 1.22 WHIP alongside a 27:8 K:BB in 17.2 innings to start the Triple-A season, Kriske will get his first look with the Cubs and return to the majors for the first time since 2023. Julian Merryweather was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Cubs designated Merryweather for assignment Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Merryweather gave up two earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning in Friday's contest, and he'll now lose his spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters in favor of Brooks Kriske. Merryweather, 33, owns a 5.79 ERA and 1.82 WHIP across 18.2 innings this season.

Casparius earned a hold against the Mets in Friday's extra-innings contest, allowing one walk and striking out six batters in three hitless and scoreless frames.

A 98-minute rain delay in the top of the third inning caused both starting pitchers to have abbreviated outings, with Los Angeles' Clayton Kershaw tossing just two innings. Matt Sauer and Casparius absorbed three innings apiece thereafter to help preserve the team's bullpen, though LA still used eight pitchers overall due to the game lasting 13 frames. Casparius' outing was the most impressive of any of the team's hurlers -- he not only held New York hitless but also notched 13 whiffs on just 46 pitches and struck out six of the 10 batters he faced, including Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor (twice). The dominant effort was a continuation of what has been a breakthrough campaign for the right-hander. In addition to posting a 2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 38:6 K:BB through 33.2 innings, Casparius ranks above the 80th percentile in almost every advanced metric, including in the 93rd percentile in pitching run value and in the 95th percentile in fastball run value.