MLB Player News

The Dodgers designated Hernandez for assignment Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 29-year-old will be pushed off the Dodgers' roster in order to make room for Evan Phillips (hamstring), who was reinstated from the IL in a corresponding move. Hernandez struggled after joining the big-league club May 15, allowing nine earned runs in just 9.2 innings of work. Despite his problems in the majors, other teams may be willing to take a chance on him based on his 2.83 ERA and 1.06 WHIP at Triple-A.

The Dodgers reinstated Phillips (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Phillips was forced onto the injured list May 5 after suffering a right hamstring strain. He's since thrown 1.2 innings of shutout ball while striking out three batters and walking none during a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. The 29-year-old right-hander should immediately reclaim his spot as the Dodgers' closer, a role he thrived in prior to getting injured. Elieser Hernandez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Diaz earned the save Friday against the Cubs despite allowing a run on two hits in a walk in the ninth inning.

Diaz allowed the first two baserunners to reach safely before surrendering a one-out double to Seiya Suzuki. While one run scored on the play, Jacob Hurtubise would throw out Nick Madrigal at the plate as the tying run before Diaz got Cody Bellinger to fly out, sealing a 5-4 victory. While it didn't come easy for Diaz on Friday, he's now converted four straight save opportunities while allowing just one earned run in his last 5.2 innings. Diaz's ERA still sits at an uninspiring 5.91 with a 1.55 WHP and 22:15 K:BB across 21.1 innings this year. He's converted 11 of 13 save chances overall.

Fujinami, who was placed on the 15-day injured list May 13 with a right shoulder strain, is expected to be sidelined for six-to-eight more weeks, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Fujinami was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after struggling in spring training. Those struggles continued across his nine minor-league games, as he registered a 14.09 ERA and 3.33 WHIP across 7.2 innings before landing on the IL. The good news for Fujinami is that he isn't expected to need surgery, but the 30-year-old right-hander will be out of action until mid-to-late July.

Manager Oli Marmol confirmed Friday that Pallante will be the Cardinals' starting pitcher Tuesday against Houston,John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Pallante fired six scoreless frames Wednesday against the Reds, a start impressive enough to warrant another turn in the rotation. He'll face an Astros lineup that's been significantly more productive than Cincinnati's, but Pallante should warrant some streaming appeal after his strong starting debut.

O'Brien (forearm) is slated to throw another bullpen session Sunday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

It's the second time he's thrown from the bump since he went down with a right flexor strain back in late March. O'Brien should be ready for a rehab assignment soon if he continues to progress.

Brazoban was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Brazoban missed early portions of the 2024 campaign due to visa issues but has been brought up to speed since clearing those up and will rejoin the Marlins' bullpen. Brazoban appeared in 50 games last season with Miami and owns a 5.91 ERA across 10.2 innings with Jacksonville this year. He'll likely fill a middle-relief role with the Marlins.

Gallegos (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Gallegos has been on the shelf since early May with a right shoulder impingement but has shown enough progress in recent live batting practice sessions that he's been cleared for game action. The veteran reliever had allowed 12 runs over nine innings before getting hurt, so the Cardinals could slow-play his rehab assignment to make sure he's sharp before being activated.

Brewer (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Brewer has missed the last couple weeks with a lower-back injury. Because he hasn't been sidelined long, his rehab assignment figures to be brief. Brewer has posted a 3.09 ERA and 12:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings with the Cubs this season.

Ferrer (shoulder) recently extended his throwing distance from flat ground to 120 feet, MLB.com reports.

Ferrer has been making slow progress in his recovery from a teres major strain in his left shoulder, an injury that first cropped up during spring training. He's been limited to playing catch for nearly a month, though he could soon be ready to resume throwing off a mound. Ferrer is likely at least a couple of weeks from heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment and probably won't be a realistic option to return from the 60-day injured list until the second half of June.