MLB Player News

Brasier (calf) will throw to hitters Tuesday before beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Brasier landed on the injured list April 29 due to a right calf strain, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 13. He appeared in 12 games prior to his injury, posting a 4.63 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 11.2 frames. Given how long he's been out of action, Brasier will likely need multiple rehab outings before joining the Dodgers' bullpen.

The Cubs transferred Little (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The move frees up a spot for Julian Merryweather's (ribs) return from the 60-day IL. Over the weekend, manager Craig Counsell said Little would likely miss the rest of the season due to a left lat strain.

The Cubs optioned Bigge to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Bigge has made a good initial impression with the Cubs in allowing one run with a 5:2 K:BB over 3.1 frames during two short stints in the majors. He will be back in the big-league bullpen eventually but will head back to Iowa for the time being.

The Cubs activated Merryweather (ribs) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Merryweather has missed most of this season with a rib stress fracture but is ready to go after allowing one run with a 5:0 K:BB over 4.2 innings during his rehab assignment. The hard-throwing right-hander should handle high-leverage spots for the Cubs, though he might be eased back into such situations.

The Rockies recalled Davis from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Davis will join the 26-man active roster as a replacement for German Marquez (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Marquez had been in line to start Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, but after he tossed three innings and 71 pitches in his most recent outing for Albuquerque on Friday, Davis might not be available to fill the opening in the rotation on three days' rest. Instead, the right-hander could provide length out of the bullpen. Davis allowed three runs in one three-inning relief appearance with the Rockies earlier this season and holds a 5.86 ERA and 59:29 K:BB over 58.1 innings in 2024 with Albuquerque.

Hoeing struck out a batter and gave up one hit over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Mets.

Hoeing had made a pair of three-inning starts in his final two appearances before the All-Star break, but the Marlins have moved him back to the bullpen for their first series of the second half. Miami don't have a fifth starter for Tuesday's game against the Orioles, so the right-hander could be part of the plan for that contest if the Marlins don't elect to call up a pitcher from Triple-A Jacksonville to start the game.

The Mets designated Sulser for assignment Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Logan Porter. Sulser, 34, has been tagged for four runs over four appearances during his brief time with the Mets this season.

Phillips' hold on the closer role is in jeopardy after Sunday's latest blunder against the Red Sox, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. He allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while only managing to record one out via a strikeout.

Phillips was brought in to begin the ninth inning with the Dodgers leading 9-3 and allowed a single and two doubles to the first three hitters he faced. He was able to get Tyler O'Neill out on strikes before issuing back-to-back walks and getting the hook. Phillips has had a very rough stretch since the end of June, allowing nine runs on 12 hits and three walks while recording eight strikeouts over his last 7.1 innings. Prior to that, the right-hander had a 1.52 ERA, 0.97 WHIP in 23.2 innings. Manager Dave Roberts commented after Saturday's win that he was still a "long ways" from removing Phillips from the closing role and that he would give him "as much runway as he wants" to regain his previous form. His view on Phillips may have changed after Sunday's outing. Daniel Hudson picked up two saves over the weekend, and the Dodgers could also acquire another high-leverage bullpen arm at the trade deadline to address their closer situation.

Hudson did not walk or strike out a batter during a two-out save in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Red Sox.

Evan Phillips was initially called upon to begin the ninth inning with the Dodgers leading 9-3, but he only recorded one out and surrendered two runs before getting the hook. Hudson came in to replace him with the bases loaded and got Masataka Yoshida to ground into a fielder's choice before sealing the game with a fly out. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters following Saturday's win that he was a "long ways" from removing Phillips from the closer role and that he would give Phillips "as much runway as he wants" to regain his form, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. However, after Phillips' latest blunder Sunday, it's entirely possible that the Dodgers adopt a committee approach to the ninth inning for the time being. The team could also add another high-leverage bullpen arm at the trade deadline. Hudson has converted three straight save opportunities and sits at six total for the year. He has a 1.56 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 43:7 K:BB in 40.1 innings.

Fernandez struck out one in a perfect inning to earn a hold in Sunday's 6-2 win over Atlanta.

Fernandez was limited to a low-leverage role early in the campaign, but he's worked his way into the setup mix. He has 10 holds this season, nine of which he's earned since June 13. In that span, he's posted a 16:9 K:BB and 1.40 ERA over 19.1 innings. Fernandez is at a 2.17 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 45:18 K:BB through 45.2 innings, and he's added a save and a blown save through 38 appearances.