MLB Player News

Garcia worked around a walk and struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning to secure his second save of the season in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Pirates.

While facing off against Pittsburgh's Nos. 2 through 5 hitters, Garcia navigated a fairly stress-free 17-pitch frame to sew up the win. He could be in the mix for more closing opportunities in the short term, as manager Torey Lovullo told Jack Sommers of SI.com after the game that Paul Sewald -- who leads the team with 24 saves but blew two of his last three chances -- will be moved into a lower-leverage role for the time being. Rather than settling on a designated closer, Lovullo indicated he plans to play the matchups in the ninth inning, so the left-handed Garcia may be deployed primarily against left-handed-heavy portions of the lineup late in games. Lovullo mentioned Jonathan Loaisiga as another pitcher who might factor into the late-inning picture, and Juan Morillo and Kevin Ginkel could also be part of the mix.

The Padres designated Waldron for assignment Wednesday.

The Padres needed to clear room for Jeremiah Estrada's (knee) return from the injured list, and because he doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, Waldron was dropped from the 40-man roster to facilitate the transaction. Waldron was a serviceable back-end starter for the Padres in 2024 but has seen his effectiveness wane in the two seasons since while also missing considerable time due to injuries. In 10 appearances (three starts) for San Diego this season, Waldron turned in a 7.16 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 32.2 innings.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said after Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Pirates that Sewald has been removed from the closer's role for the time being and will be used in lower-leverage situations, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

After recording just one out and yielding three earned runs en route to blowing his second save in his last three chances during Tuesday's 8-7 win in 12 innings, Sewald was passed over for the save chance Wednesday. Brandyn Garcia got the call in the ninth inning and retired three of the four batters he faced to earn his second save of the season, though Lovullo declined to name him the team's closer moving forward. Instead, Lovullo indicated that he plans to play matchups for any save chances that emerge in the short term with Garcia, Juan Morillo, Jonathan Loaisiga and Kevin Ginkel all potentially factoring into the late-inning picture. Sewald could eventually join that group, but he'll first have to pitch effectively in less pressure-packed situations after he had yielded at least one run in seven of his last 13 appearances.

The Padres reinstated Estrada (knee) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Estrada will be available out of the bullpen for the Padres' series finale versus the Rockies after San Diego cleared a spot for him by designating right-hander Matt Waldron for assignment. Prior to landing on the IL on June 5 due to right knee inflammation, Estrada handled a key setup role in front of closer Mason Miller. In 21 appearances, Estrada has notched two wins, seven holds and one save while pitching to a 3.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 20.2 innings.

The Brewers optioned Stallings to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

He's clearing off the roster to make space for Thomas Pannone, who will start Wednesday's game in San Francisco. Stallings has turned in five scoreless innings covering three appearances for the Brewers this season, so he should eventually get another opportunity.

Hart will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Hart opened ahead of bulk reliever Griffin Canning in a game last week in Atlanta, and it's expected to be the same setup for Wednesday's contest. The lefty Hart has posted a 5.21 ERA and 33:12 K:BB across 38 innings for the Padres this season.

Nardi (ribs) said Wednesday that he's about 2-to-3 weeks away from beginning a rehab assignment, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

It's unclear where Nardi is in his throwing program, but the reliever has progressed enough that he believes he's not far off from pitching in games. The lefty collected a 5.16 ERA and 27:11 K:BB over 22.2 innings before going down with a left ribcage stress reaction in late May.

Sisk (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Sisk has been shelved for the past month with left elbow inflammation, but he's progressed enough to pitch in games again. The southpaw reliever was terrific out of the Pirates bullpen before getting hurt, collecting a 2.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 43:13 K:BB in 36.1 innings.

Ribalta struck out two in a perfect inning of relief Tuesday to record his ninth hold of the season in a win over the Blue Jays.

The right-hander took the mound after Gus Varland failed to record an out to begin the eighth inning and allowed three runs, and Ribalta shut down Toronto's rally by retiring the visitors' 5-6-7 hitters. Ribalta has been tagged for earned runs in only one of his last eight appearances, posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB over 7.1 innings during that stretch and providing a bit of stability to the league's worst bullpen.

Holmes (lower leg) tossed four scoreless innings in a rehab start for Single-A St. Lucie on Tuesday, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out three over 59 pitches (37 strikes).

The veteran right-hander made his first rehab start July 23 for Triple-A Syracuse, but weather concerns caused the Mets to shift his second outing to the Florida State League. Per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, scouts from multiple teams were in attendance for Holmes' start as he topped out at 94.1 mph with his sinker and deployed all five of his pitches. His current schedule might allow him to come off the IL and make one big-league start for the Mets before Monday's trade deadline, assuming he isn't moved before then. Holmes' current contract includes a $12 million player option for 2027 that he's almost certain to decline after posting a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB through his first 52.2 innings this season before a comebacker in a May 15 start fractured his right fibula.