MLB Player News

The Mets placed Nunez on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right forearm tightness, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Nunez just returned from a forearm issue last Friday and is now headed back to the IL following a recurrence of the injury. He missed nearly a month of action the first time around, but it's not clear how long this stint might last. It's a blow to the Mets' bullpen, as Nunez has been excellent this season with a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB over 35 frames.

The Phillies recalled Marte from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Marte will provide the Phillies with a fresh relief arm. The right-hander holds a 7.13 ERA and 23:14 K:BB over 24 innings this season, although the bloated ERA is mostly the result of one poor outing when he allowed seven runs and recorded just two outs Aug. 10.

The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Mercado was brought up from the minors on Monday, and he'll now head back to Triple-A after giving up four earned runs in only 1.1 innings during his outing against the Astros on Wednesday. Yunior Marte was recalled from Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Milner (shoulder) expects to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Friday, MLB.com reports.

He would then make another appearance Sunday and could be activated after that. Milner has been sidelined since mid-August due to a left shoulder impingement.

Nunez (forearm) played catch Thursday, but his availability remains unclear, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nunez wasn't available for Wednesday's game in Arizona due to right forearm tightness, which is the same injury he just recently returned from. He could be headed back to the injured list, but the Mets also didn't rule out the possibility that he's available to pitch as soon as Thursday. It's a wide range of outcomes for one of the team's best relievers this season.

The Reds selected Leibrandt's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Leibrandt has spent all season in Triple-A, where he owns a 4.46 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 76.2 innings across 16 starts. The 31-year-old southpaw will likely work out of the bullpen as he returns to the majors for the first time since 2020, replacing Casey Kelly.

The Reds designated Kelly for assignment Thursday.

Kelly had one terrific outing and one poor one with the Reds in his first major-league action since 2018. He's being sent out in favor of a much-needed fresh arm in Brandon Leibrandt.

Bednar (3-7) was charged with the loss and a blown save after he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks across 0.2 innings Wednesday against the Cubs.

Bednar was tasked with protecting a two-run lead to begin the ninth inning. He allowed a trio of singles, the final of which was a two-run knock with the bases loaded. Since the start of August, Bednar has allowed at least one earned run in seven of his 11 appearances and a total of 13 earned runs across 10.2 frames. Aroldis Chapman was also hit hard Wednesday but has pitched better than Bednar in the second half, and he could be in line for save chances in the final month of the regular season.

Kopech picked up the save over the Orioles on Wednesday, striking out two over a perfect ninth inning.

Kopech entered the contest with a 6-4 lead in the top of the ninth and retired the first two batters on strikes before getting Adley Rutschman to pop out to second for the final out of the game. The save was the right-hander's 12th of the season and the third in his last six appearances. Kopech has only allowed one run in 12.1 innings (12 appearances) this month, posting a 0.76 ERA in August to go along with a 16:3 K:BB. He's also recorded two strikeouts in back-to-back appearances and in three of his last four overall.

Martinez picked up the save over the Mets on Wednesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Martinez entered the contest in the top of the ninth, right after Arizona had just taken a three-run lead on an eighth-inning rally. He then needed just nine pitches to retire the side and secure his seventh save of the campaign. The right-handed reliever has now converted each of his last seven save opportunities, all of which have come in August. Martinez has also recorded at least one strikeout in six-consecutive outings and in 11 of 12 appearances this month.