MLB Player News

Sewald worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his second save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Reds.

The right-hander needed only eight pitches (four strikes) to get the job done. Sewald has been his usual effective self since making his season debut May 7, giving up just one run with a 4:1 K:BB in his first four innings, and he has a firm hold on the closer role for Arizona.

Walker was unavailable for Wednesday's game versus the Dodgers due to back tightness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Walker last pitched Sunday, allowing one run on four hits over one inning while taking a blown save versus the Reds, so it's possible he's been dealing with the issue for a while. For now, the right-hander can be considered day-to-day. The Giants are off Thursday before beginning a three-game series at home versus the Rockies on Friday.

Thompson (1-1) recorded Wednesday's win over Cincinnati, allowing one hit and striking out one over a scoreless eighth inning.

Thompson, who made an eighth consecutive scoreless appearance, has been the Diamondbacks' best reliever through the first month-and-a-half. The side-arming right-hander sports a 1.00 ERA with just two walks while striking out 13 over 18 innings. He leads the team with six holds.

Scott earned the save in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Tigers, allowing two hits while striking out one in a scoreless inning.

The Tigers made things interesting with a pair of two-out singles off Scott in the ninth inning before the left-hander struck out Riley Greene, who represented the winning run, closing out Miami's shutout victory. Scott hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 10.1 innings, striking out 12 in that span. He's 5-for-6 in save opportunities with a 2.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 19:17 K:BB across 18 innings this season.

The Dodgers designated Crismatt for assignment Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Crismatt was added to the active roster April 27 and has since given up two earned runs through five innings across four appearances. The Dodgers are in need of fresh bullpen arms for Wednesday's game against San Francisco, so they will cast the 29-year-old right-hander off the 40-man for the second time this year and select Elieser Hernandez from Triple-A Oklahoma City to replace Crismatt.

The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Since coming up from the minors in late April, Varland has given up one earned run through 5.1 innings while striking out three batters and walking four. He last pitched Tuesday, so he'll return to the minors to make room for a fresh arm in Eduardo Salazar, as the Dodgers prepare to rely on their bullpen to get them through Wednesday's affair with the Giants.

The Dodgers recalled Salazar from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Through seven starts at Triple-A, Salazar has posted a 5.61 ERA and 1.78 WHIP across 33.2 innings. Although he's been used exclusively as a starter in the minors this season, he will come out of the bullpen for the Dodgers, giving the team depth during its bullpen game Wednesday against the Giants. Gus Varland was optioned to Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Raley was diagnosed with a UCL strain in his left elbow after undergoing further imaging, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Mendoza noted that Raley's UCL is healing, but the Mets will shut him down for two weeks before re-evaluating him, at which point the team will determine next steps. The left-hander has been on the injured list since April 21 and was initially expected to be activated after the 15-day minimum, but he hasn't made any significant progress toward a return to throwing.

The Brewers reinstated Clarke (knee) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Clarke has been sidelined all season after undergoing surgery in late March to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. The 31-year-old right-hander pitched one inning and gave up a home run during his lone rehab outing, and he'll officially remain in the minors now that he's recovered. Clarke owns a 5.03 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across his MLB career, though he may still be promoted from Nashville later this season should Milwaukee run into further issues with its pitching depth.

The Cubs recalled Little from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.

Little has permitted seven runs over nine relief innings during his time in the big leagues this season. The 6-foot-8 left-hander will operate in low-leverage situations.