MLB Player News

Sewald picked up the save over Atlanta on Thursday, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning while striking out one.

Sewald entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth and retired the first two batters before coughing up a single to Marcell Ozuna. However, the reliever was able to quickly put out the fire, getting Adam Duvall to ground out. The save was Sewald's 13th of the season and he's now converted each of his last two save opportunities after previously blowing three straight.

Jameson (elbow) will throw another bullpen session Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Jameson is set to throw his third bullpen session since July 5. He's been ruled out for the rest of 2024, though his progress bodes well for his availability to begin 2025.

The Diamondbacks reinstated Castro (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Castro pitched two innings in his final rehab appearance Saturday and gave up no runs on one hit with a walk and a strikeout. The right-hander is now set to make his return after he landed on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation in late April. In a corresponding move, Slade Cecconi was optioned to Triple-A Reno.

MRI results on Garrett's right elbow revealed no ligament damage Thursday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Garrett will remain shut down from throwing for roughly one week while his inflammation subsides before beginning a throwing program shortly after the All-Star break. His return will depend on how he feels as he moves through his rehab process, but manager Carlos Mendoza said he expects the 31-year-old righty to be sidelined roughly 2-to-4 weeks.

Chapman picked up the save Thursday against Milwaukee, striking out one batter during a perfect ninth inning.

Chapman inherited a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and required only nine pitches to retire Christian Yelich, Willy Adames and Sal Frelick in order. Chapman has consistently seen ninth-inning work since David Bednar (oblique) got injured June 22, but Chapman's allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and six walks across 7.2 innings with three saves in four opportunities during that stretch.

The Nationals will recall Rutledge from Triple-A Rochester to start Friday's game against the Brewers, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutledge has appeared in just one game for the Nationals this season, allowing a run to score in one inning May 14 against the White Sox. He hasn't done a much better job preventing runs in the minor leagues, posting a 6.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP through 71.2 frames. He'll be facing one of the National League's more dynamic offenses Friday, as the Brewers rank fourth in the NL in both OPS (.732) and runs scored (450).

Banda will start Thursday's game against the Phillies, SportsNet LA reports.

Banda has a 2.05 ERA and 20:12 K:BB over 22 innings this season and will make his first start since 2022 on Thursday. The lefty will likely cover only an inning or two before turning things over to the bullpen, with Landon Knack a candidate to work as the bulk reliever.

Williams (back) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

After he tossed a live batting practice session Tuesday in Milwaukee without incident, Williams will move on to the final stage in his prolonged recovery from a pair of stress fractures in his back, an injury he suffered in spring training. As a late-inning reliever, Williams won't require an extensive buildup, but he's still likely to remain on his minor-league rehab assignment once the Brewers open their post-All-Star-break schedule July 20. A return from the 60-day injured list before the end of July can't be discounted, however, especially if Williams looks healthy and pitches effectively during his time in the minors. Once activated, Williams should settle back in as Milwaukee's closer after he racked up 51 saves and posted a 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 126 appearances between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Hoffman struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his ninth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Dodgers.

Jose Alvarado was called upon to face Freddie Freeman and the heart of the Los Angeles order in the eighth inning, leaving the save chance to Hoffman. That's been the norm of late, as Hoffman has saves in four straight appearances since June 30, while Alvarado has only one save and one hold during that time. Hoffman's performance has earned him increased responsibility, as he hasn't walked a batter in over a month and has a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 13:0 K:BB over his last 10.2 innings. Manager Rob Thomson will play matchups in high-leverage spots with the left-handed Alvarado and the right-handed Hoffman, but the latter seems the better bet for saves heading into the All-Star break.

Sewald pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save over Atlanta on Wednesday.

Sewald entered the contest with a two-run lead in the ninth and needed only eight pitches to retire the side for his 12th save of the campaign. It was a nice bounce-back effort for the closer, who had allowed multiple runs and blown a save in his previous three outings. It was also Sewald's third appearance in which he didn't allow any hits or walks over his last six.