MLB Player News

Abbott was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Abbott was sent to Rochester on Aug. 20 but will rejoin the Nationals after spending the past few weeks in the minors. The right-hander has a 7.48 ERA across 27.2 frames in the big leagues this season, so he's likely to fill a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Simpson was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Heraldreports.

The left-hander was called up by Miami on Tuesday but didn't make his MLB debut during his time with the team. Simpson will return to Jacksonville, where he has a 4.50 ERA over 32 innings this year.

Alexander (7-3) allowed two unearned runs on one hit in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Rockies.

It wasn't a great first inning for the Giants overall, and their offense never caught up, leaving Alexander to take his first loss since Aug. 8. The southpaw hasn't strung together more than two scoreless appearances in a row since July, pitching to a rough 7.36 ERA and 2.05 WHIP over his last 14.2 innings. He's at a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 46.1 innings overall, and he's added a save, eight holds and two blown saves this season.

Walker (4-3) allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Rockies.

Walker worked in the fifth inning, but he made a mess of things, and the Rockies led the rest of the way. He hadn't given up multiple runs in an appearance since July 24, though he's typically worked short assignments lately when coming out of the bullpen. The right-hander has maintained a 2.59 ERA this year despite a 1.37 WHIP, and he's added a 69:21 K:BB with a save and two holds over 55.2 innings.

Phillips (2-4) blew a save but earned the win over Seattle on Saturday, allowing an unearned run on two hits and one walk over one inning.

The game was scoreless after nine innings before Los Angeles put up a run in the top of the 10th. Phillips entered in the bottom of the frame looking for a challenging save and retired the first two batters he faced before giving up a two-out single to Mike Ford that scored the tying run. Phillips then surrendered a double and issued an intentional walk to load the bases, but he escaped the jam by getting Teoscar Hernandez to ground out, and Phillips earned the win as a result of the Dodgers plating five runs in the top of the 11th. The blown save was hardly a meltdown considering the circumstances, but it was still Phillips' first since July 4. He's been excellent since then, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB over 21.2 frames while picking up 11 saves.

Martinez will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher for Sunday's game at Oakland.

Martinez has already made six starts this season, but he hasn't recorded more than nine outs in any appearance since April 19 and most recently pitched Wednesday, when he tossed an inning out of the bullpen. The Padres aren't likely to ask Martinez to work more than 1-to-3 innings before he turns the game over to Pedro Avila, who is expected to operate as a bulk reliever after starting in his last four appearances.

Hoeing did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk over 4.1 innings against Atlanta while striking out two.

Hoeing struggled right out of the gate, allowing hits to each of the first three batters he faced -- two of which went for home runs as Atlanta jumped out an early 3-0 lead. However, the right-hander would actually go on to retire 10 of the next 11 batters he faced before being relieved by Steven Okert with one out in the top of the fifth. It marked Hoeing's longest outing since Aug. 21, and he's now surrendered at least one run in three of his last four appearances, posting a 6:3 K:BB over that stretch.

Atlanta selected Rodriguez's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The 31-year-old was outrighted to Triple-A in late July after he delivered a scoreless two-thirds of an inning during his lone appearance with Atlanta, but he'll receive another look in the majors down the stretch. Rodgriguez has pitched to a 6.45 ERA across 44.2 innings (23 appearances) at Gwinnett, so he's likely to have a low-leverage role while up in the big leagues.

Hader picked up the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Athletics, allowing one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

Hader entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run lead and proceeded to give up a leadoff single to Carlos Perez before retiring the next three batters in order. It marked the lefty's first save since Aug. 28 and only the second time in his last four appearances that he didn't allow a run. His 29 saves on the season currently have him tied with Raisel Iglesias for fifth in the National League.

Selby is listed as Pittsburgh's probable starting pitcher Sunday against the Yankees.

Selby will serve as an opener for the fifth time this season, and he's allowed four earned runs with a 9:3 K:BB over six frames in that role. The rookie right-hander will likely only cover an inning or two before giving way to Andre Jackson, who is expected to work in bulk relief.