MLB Player News

The Nationals designated Kranick for assignment Friday.

Kranick has been jettisoned from the Nationals' 40-man roster after allowing nine runs on seven hits and six walks over his last 3.2 innings spanning three appearances, striking only two batters in that time. Taking Kranick's place in the bullpen is right-hander Jack Sinclair, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Rochester.

Cosgrove was assigned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday after clearing outright waivers.

Cosgrove will stay in the Nationals organization in the minors after being designated for assignment Wednesday. Across 30 appearances in Triple-A this season, Cosgrove has a 4.15 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 32:22 K:BB over 30.1 innings.

Lopez (knee) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make a start for Atlanta next week, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports.

If Lopez starts on five days' rest like he did in his last rehab outing with Triple-A Gwinnett, he would take the ball Wednesday at home against the Rays. The veteran right-hander has been on the shelf since Aug. 2 with left knee inflammation, but he shouldn't have any workload restrictions after tossing 93 pitches over five scoreless frames in his final rehab start Thursday.

Hollowell (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hollowell has been sidelined since late July with right shoulder inflammation, but he's ready to test things out in a game setting. The right-handed reliever has allowed five runs (four earned) with a 13:8 K:BB over 14.1 innings during his time with the Cubs in 2026.

Ashcraft (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list Sunday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Out since late May with a sprained UCL in his right elbow, Ashcraft permitted two runs with a 6:3 K:BB over 4.2 frames across five rehab appearances. The 28-year-old was working in a setup role when he got hurt, but he could be eased back into high-leverage situations.

Weaver revealed Wednesday that he's been dealing with a severe poison ivy rash for more than three weeks that's made it difficult for him to sleep, Jose Negron of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

The issue has not sidelined Weaver at any point, but he admitted that it's probably affected his performance. After collecting a 1.84 ERA and 45:11 K:BB in 44 frames for the Mets, Weaver holds a 5.79 ERA and 11:4 K:BB over 9.1 innings since being dealt to the Pirates. Weaver also had a sinus cold recently, but he will be available out of the bullpen Friday versus the Angels.

The Pirates optioned Eisert to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

The left-hander was called up by Pittsburgh on Tuesday and will return to Triple-A after firing 1.2 scoreless frames in two appearances. In 34 outings between the Pirates and White Sox this season, Eisert has a 6.00 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 41:12 K:BB across 36 innings.

The Pirates recalled Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

The right-hander has been shuttled between Triple-A and the majors throughout the season. Mattson has pitched in 37 MLB games in 2026 and has a 4.91 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 34:18 K:BB over 36.2 innings.

The Giants claimed Kuhnel off waivers from the Brewers on Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Kuhnel hasn't pitched in the big leagues since early July due to right rotator cuff tendinopathy, but he's healthy now after completing a rehab assignment. The 31-year-old has posted a 4.84 ERA and 22:12 K:BB over 35.1 innings in the majors this season and will give the Giants some experienced bullpen help.

Rolison pitched a clean ninth inning with no strikeouts to record the save in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.

With Jacob Webb taking a comebacker off his forearm Wednesday, the Cubs needed to go in a different direction to close out Thursday's game, and Rolison was up to the task. Webb is experiencing soreness but will avoid a stint on the injured list, so Rolison's time as Chicago's closer may be short lived, though it's possible Webb misses a few more games. No matter what role he's been in this year, Rolison has been reliable with a 2.93 ERA and 49 strikeouts across 55.1 innings, and he now has two saves to his name as well.