MLB Player News

Neris (8-3) allowed a run on two hits over an inning of work to take the loss Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out two.

Neris allowed his first run since June 17, snapping a streak of nine straight scoreless appearances, as Milwaukee prevailed 3-2 late. The veteran reliever endured a rough patch last month, but his recent strong play should keep him locked into Chicago's closer role despite Wednesday's hiccup. He now has a 3.79 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 38 strikeouts across 35.2 innings this season, to go along with a team-high 14 saves.

Payamps picked up his fifth save of the season Wednesday against the Cubs, pitching a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.

Brewers closer Trevor Megill had pitched two of the previous three days leading up to Wednesday's game, resulting in Payamps coming on for the ninth inning. The 30-year-old held his own, striking out two batters while not allowing a baserunner. With Devin Williams (back) on the cusp of a return and Trevor Megill still in the mix, save chances for Payamps will be few and far between moving forward. The right-hander owns a 4.14 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP while converting five of seven save chances this season.

The Giants optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

With Robbie Ray (elbow) returning from the IL to start Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Rodriguez will be left without a spot on the Giants' pitching staff. The 24-year-old joined the big-league bullpen in early May and posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP while striking out 44 batters through his first 43 career MLB innings.

Martinez and Cincinnati won't face Atlanta in the final contest of Wednesday's doubleheader after the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Martinez was initially scheduled to start Tuesday. However, rainouts on consecutive days will keep him from making his first start since May 22. With an off day on tap Thursday, the Reds will likely elect to skip Martinez's turn in the rotation until a fifth starter is next needed July 30 versus the Cubs. The Reds could get Carson Spiers (shoulder) back from the injured list to start that game, in which case Martinez would likely continue to work out of the bullpen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.