MLB Player News

The Nationals designated Fernandez (undisclosed) for assignment Friday.

The right-hander has been on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Rochester with an unspecified injury for nearly a month, and he's now lost his place on the 40-man roster. Fernandez made three appearances with Washington early this season and gave up one earned runs with a 3:2 K:BB across four innings.

The Diamondbacks paused Puk's (elbow) rehab Friday due to left shoulder discomfort, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Puk has spent the entire season working his way back from an internal brace procedure he received last June and was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in late May. However, he hasn't pitched in a game since last Friday and is now slated for an MRI on his shoulder following a setback. An updated timeline for his return will likely be available once his test results come back.

Stewart (foot) will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A Ontario on Friday.

Stewart began facing live hitters in batting practice last weekend, and he's now been cleared to return to a competitive setting as he enters the final stretch in his recovery from a bone spur in his left foot. It's unclear exactly how long the Dodgers plan to keep the right-hander in the minors, but he could require a handful of rehab appearances after sitting out more than a month.

The Cardinals recalled Roycroft from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Roycroft has been unscored upon in seven of his last eight outings at Memphis while showing an uptick in velocity, having averaged 96.8 mph with his sinker in his last appearance. He'll operate in middle relief for St. Louis.

Banks will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher in Friday's game versus the Brewers, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Banks holds a 6.08 ERA on the season, but a 2.75 FIP and 27 strikeouts over 23.2 innings point to some bad luck. He'll handle the first inning or two for the Phillies before turning things over to bulk reliever Andrew Painter.

The Giants recalled Walker from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Walker began the season as the Giants' de facto closer but was demoted to Sacramento just over a month ago after posting a 6.46 ERA and 14:10 K:BB over 15.1 innings. He seemed to get back on track at Sacramento, permitting two runs with a 7:3 K:BB across 9.1 frames. No one has taken hold of the Giants' closer job since Walker was optioned, so he could push his way back into the late-inning mix. Initially, however, the club is likely to ease him in with some low-leverage outings.

The Pirates optioned Bidois to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bidois has had a rough week, yielding five runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over two innings in two appearances. His spot in the bullpen will be filled by Antwone Kelly.

The Giants optioned Seymour to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday.

Seymour was tagged for four runs over 1.1 innings in a relief outing Wednesday versus the Nationals. He will likely rejoin the rotation at Sacramento. The Giants will announce a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's contest against the Cubs.

Assad is listed as the Cubs' scheduled starting pitcher for Friday's game in San Francisco.

Assad tossed 6.1 scoreless innings of relief Sunday versus the Giants after entering in place of the injured Jameson Taillon (hamstring). With Taillon now on the injured list and Matthew Boyd (knee/shoulder) recently suffering a setback, Assad should have the opportunity to make multiple starts for the Cubs. He's collected a 4.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB over 32.1 innings covering three starts and six relief appearances in 2026.

Scott struck out three over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Thursday's 8-6 win over the Pirates.

Scott was brought in to put out a fire in the eighth inning and did just that, and he stayed on for the ninth to lock down the save, his seventh of the season and first since June 2. It's been a bit of a bumpy stretch for him -- this was the first time he hadn't allowed a baserunner since May 29 versus the Phillies. He's given up five runs over his last 5.1 innings, though he hasn't walked a batter in that stretch. Scott is at a 2.48 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 35:3 K:BB through 29 innings. He's added five holds and continues to be the Dodgers' top option for high-leverage moments.