MLB Player News

Nardi might step into the closer role if Tanner Scott is traded, Kaushik Sampath of the Miami Herald reports.

Nardi had a brutal start to the season, getting tagged for eight runs in his first four appearances, but since then the lefty has produced a palatable 3.50 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 47:10 K:BB through 36 innings. Scott becomes a free agent in the offseason and is almost certain to be dealt by next week's trade deadline, and with A.J. Puk now in Arizona, the path to the ninth inning could be fairly clear for Nardi. Huascar Brazoban could also be in the mix for closing duties in the wake of a Scott trade.

Johnson (3-2) took the loss Thursday as Atlanta fell 3-2 in 10 innings to the Mets, giving up an unearned run on a hit and a walk in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out two.

The right-hander did his job, fanning J.D. Martinez and Mark Vientos before coaxing a flyball from Jeff McNeil down the right-field line for what should have been the third out, but Ramon Laureano over-ran it and let it fall in for a single, allowing the automatic runner to score from second base. Johnson has been charged with an earned run in only one of his last 11 appearances, posting a 0.82 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB through 11 innings over that stretch while picking up two holds and a win. A.J. Minter's return from the IL has squeezed Johnson out of consistent setup work, but he remains one of Atlanta's most effective bullpen arms.

The Padres activated Cosgrove (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A El Paso.

Cosgrove missed nearly a month of action with left elbow inflammation but has been cleared to pitch in games again. The southpaw has battled through a dreadful 2024 campaign which has seen him cough up 19 runs over 14.2 innings during his time with the Padres.

The Diamondbacks designated Jacques for assignment Thursday.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for A.J. Puk, who was acquired via trade from the Marlins. Jacques permitted two runs over 1.1 innings in his lone appearance with Arizona this season.

The Diamondbacks acquired Puk from the Marlins in exchange for Deyvison De Los Santos and Andrew Pintar on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

After beginning the season in Miami's rotation and posting a 9.22 ERA in four starts, Puk was moved to the bullpen upon returning from the injured list in mid-May. He's been dominant in a relief role this season, logging a 2.08 ERA and 0.76 WHIP with a 33:6 K:BB in 30.1 innings. He'll provide needed fortification to the back of the Diamondbacks bullpen, as closer Paul Sewald has struggled for much of July. Puk seems likely to start out in more of a setup role but could be a factor for saves, especially if Sewald is unable to get back on track.

Junis improved to 3-0 on the season after striking out a batter and working around one hit and one walk over three scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Cubs.

The Brewers essentially deployed two bulk relievers as part of their bullpen game Wednesday. Opening pitcher Rob Zastryzny covered the first inning and gave up one run, with Bryse Wilson following him with four innings of one-run ball before Junis took the hill in the bottom of the sixth. With the Brewers breaking a 2-2 tie on Willson Contreras' RBI double in the top of the ninth, Junis was credited with the win when Joel Payamps came on in the bottom of the inning to close the game. Junis has now scooped up wins in three of his last four multi-inning relief appearances, but the Brewers don't seem compelled to have him fill the open spot in their five-man rotation. Instead, the club looks content to get by with bullpen days when a fifth starter is needed until one of Joe Ross (back) or DL Hall (knee/forearm) is ready to return from the 60-day injured list.

The Dodgers designated Ramirez for assignment Thursday.

Hewill end up as the Dodgers' roster casualty following the return of Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) from the 60-day IL, marking the fourth time Ramirez has been DFA'd this season. The 29-year-old righty owns a career-worst 5.98 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 43.2 innings on the year, though he still may draw interest on the waiver wire from other teams in need of immediate bullpen help.

Gilbreath (elbow) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out two across one inning in an Arizona Complex League game Tuesday.

Gilbreath is nearing a return from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in March 2023, and Tuesday's outing marked his first game action since late 2022. His time in the ACL is expected to be brief before his rehab assignment is shifted to the upper minors.

Lyles agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

A starter for most of his career, Lyles was moved to the bullpen coming out of spring training with the Royals but made just five appearances before he was placed on the restricted list April 20 due to a personal matter. Lyles never ultimately rejoined the team before Kansas City released him over the weekend, but the right-hander's willingness to sign with the Dodgers suggests he's ready to return to baseball. Because of the extensive time he's missed, Lyles could need some time to build up at the Dodgers' facility in Arizona before he likely reports to Triple-A Oklahoma City. With the Dodgers having lost multiple starting pitchers to long-term injuries, Lyles should help restore some rotation depth at Oklahoma City and could get a look in the big leagues later in the season if he fares well at Triple-A.

Atlanta recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.

Hernandez was technically optioned earlier Thursday after serving as the 27th man for Atlanta in Wednesday's doubleheader against the Reds. He never actually left the team, though, and will be back in the bullpen as a middle-relief option.