MLB Player News
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Daysbel Hernandez RP | ATL
Braves' Daysbel Hernandez: Serving as 27th man for twin bill
Atlanta recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett ahead of the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with Cincinnati.
Hernandez has been designated as the 27th man for the twin bill, so he could be headed back to Gwinnett immediately following the doubleheader, unless Atlanta moves another player off the active roster. The right-hander has shined over his nine relief appearances for Atlanta this season, striking out 12 batters while allowing six hits and three walks over 9.2 scoreless innings.
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Ricky Vanasco RP | DET
Dodgers' Ricky Vanasco: Set to lose 40-man spot
The Dodgers are expected to designate Vanasco for assignment, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
The move might not be made official until Thursday, when the Dodgers will need to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for the return of Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start against the Giants. Vanasco -- who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on July 14 -- has made two appearances with the Dodgers this season, allowing three earned runs over two innings.
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Kyle Hurt RP | LAD
Dodgers' Kyle Hurt: Undergoing Tommy John surgery
Hurt will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Tuesday, Noah Kamras of DodgersNation.com reports.
Triple-A Oklahoma City transferred Hurt from its 7-day injured list to its 60-day IL on Monday, and now the reason for that move has been revealed. More clarity on a timetable should be available following the operation, but there's a good chance Hurt won't be an option for the Dodgers until the 2026 season. The 26-year-old has tossed 8.2 innings and allowed one earned run at the major-league level across two seasons and boasts a 36.3 percent strikeout rate in four minor-league seasons.
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J.B. Bukauskas RP | MIL
Brewers' J.B. Bukauskas: Resuming rehab assignment
The Brewers sent Bukauskas (triceps) to their Arizona Complex League affiliate Wednesday so he can resume a rehab assignment.
Bukauskas had to be pulled off his initial rehab assignment last month following a setback with his triceps/shoulder injury, but he's feeling well enough now to give it a go again. The reliever has been sidelined since mid-April, so he figures to require several rehab appearances before being an option for the Brewers' bullpen.
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Evan Phillips RP | LAD
Dodgers' Evan Phillips: Pitches final out for save
Phillips earned a one-out save in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Giants after walking a batter.
Phillips entered the game in relief of Alex Vesia to face Jorge Soler with the Dodgers up 5-2. Phillips would go on to walk Soler on four pitches before eventually getting LaMonte Wade to ground out to end the game. While Phillips picked up his first save since July 5, he still looked shaky on the mound and now has three walks in his last two appearances. He's now up to 15 saves on the year to accompany a 3.73 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB in 31.1 innings.
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Rob Zastryzny RP | MIL
Brewers' Rob Zastryzny: Slated to open Wednesday's game
Zastryzny will serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Zastryzny will receive his third opener assignment of the season but likely won't be asked to work much more than one inning Wednesday. Jakob Junis and Bryse Wilson are candidates to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen once Zastryzny exits the contest.
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Matthew Liberatore SP | STL
Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Drawing start Wednesday
Liberatore will start Wednesday's game against the Pirates at PNC Park, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
St. Louis already boasts a healthy five-man rotation, but Liberatore will be called upon for a spot start Wednesday since a doubleheader over the weekend created a stretch of six games in five days for the Cardinals. Liberatore hadn't been used out of the bullpen in any of the Cardinals' first five games of the second half, so he should be well rested and capable of giving the club a decent amount of length for what will be his sixth start of the season. Over his previous five starts, Liberatore has turned in a 5.03 ERA and 18:5 K:BB across 19.2 innings.
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A.J. Puk RP | ARI
Marlins' A.J. Puk: Credited with fourth win
Puk (4-8) earned the win Tuesday over the Orioles, striking out three over two perfect innings.
Puk has been excellent since returning to Miami's bullpen -- the left-hander hasn't allowed a run in his last 16.2 innings, posting a stellar 0.42 WHIP while striking out 25 in that span. With Tanner Scott expected to be moved at the trade deadline, Puk would seemingly be the favorite to take over the closer role. He's lowered his ERA to 4.30 on the season with a 1.34 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB across 44 innings.
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Jake Diekman RP | ATL
Mets' Jake Diekman: Notches fourth save
Diekman walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his fourth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Yankees.
Edwin Diaz was unavailable after throwing 28 pitches the night before, forcing Mets manager Carlos Mendoza to get creative in the ninth. Diekman hasn't exactly been consistent lately, posting a 9.64 ERA and 2.14 WHIP through 4.2 innings in July, but he remains the team's top high-leverage option from the left side with Brooks Raley (elbow) lost for the season.