MLB Player News

Alzolay (2-4) worked around a walk and a hit batsman to toss 1.1 scoreless innings and earn the win Wednesday against the Brewers.

The Cubs turned to Alzolay with the bases loaded and two out in the top of the eighth inning. The righty proceeded to hit Mark Canha, which allowed Milwaukee to tie the game at 2-2 and saddled Alzolay with just his second blown save this season. However, Chicago scored in the bottom half of the frame, and Alzolay pitched a clean ninth to earn the win. The Cubs' closer has pitched each of the last two days, but he will get to rest Thursday during a team off day, so he should be ready if needed Friday against the Reds.

Nardi was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rays after getting hit in the left hand by a comebacker, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Nardi will go in for imaging on his hand, and the Marlins should provide an update on his status in the near future. Until more is known, he should be considered day-to-day.

Miller will be activated from the 60-day IL once rosters expand Friday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Miller has been on the injured list since June 21 due to pain in his neck and began a rehab assignment Aug. 5. After throwing 2.2 scoreless innings in rookie ball, Miller surrendered five runs over four innings across five appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Clearly, there is still a bit of rust for Miller to shake off, but he will at least provide depth to the Dodgers' bullpen as they gear up for a playoff run.

Kelly (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday and progress to a simulated game Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kelly was reportedly battling forearm discomfort during his bullpen session Friday, but he was able to throw another session Tuesday with no issues. The Dodgers will determine Kelly's next steps based on his performance following Tuesday's sim game, and there is still a good chance the veteran reliever is able to return before the end of the regular season.

Melancon (shoulder) has begun throwing off a mound, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Melancon began his throwing program back in late May, but he was just cleared to begin throwing bullpen sessions within the past couple of weeks. There's no telling whether or not Melancon will be able to return to Arizona's bullpen before the end of the season, but considering how slow his rehab process has been up to this point, there's a chance the team opts to hold him out until 2024.

Miller was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Miller had just been claimed back off waivers from the Mets on Sunday and worked two scoreless innings of relief in the Dodgers' win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, but Los Angeles needed to clear out a roster spot Wednesday for the return of Ryan Pepiot.

Hader (0-3) blew the save and took the loss in Wednesday's 5-4 loss against the Cardinals. He allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

After quickly logging the first two outs in the ninth, Hader gave up a double to Masyn Winn before Tommy Edman belted a two-run homer, handing Hader and the Padres a 5-4 loss. It's the first time Hader's blown a save or allowed an earned run since May 31, a span of 26 appearances (23.2 innings). He still sports a stellar 1.16 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 74:25 K:BB across 46.2 innings while going 28-for-33 in save chances.

The Mets optioned Coonrod to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Coonrod will head to the minors to make room on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Denyi Reyes, who was called up from Syracuse ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Rangers. Since being reinstated from the 60-day injured list Aug. 14, Coonrod has posted a 1.69 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 5.1 innings in seven appearances out of the bullpen.

Reyes was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Rangers at Citi Field.

Reyes will pick up his third start of the season with the Mets. He's pitched to a 4.15 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while covering at least five frames in each of his last five starts for Syracuse, but Reyes owns much less impressive ratios (7.50 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, 8.6 K-BB%) over 12 innings in the majors this season. Unless another team puts in a claim for right-hander Carlos Carrasco -- who was placed on waivers Tuesday -- Reyes may not stick around with the Mets beyond Wednesday's start.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Jackson will start Wednesday's game against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Jackson tossed six innings of two-run ball in a bulk-relief role during his last appearance Thursday against the Cubs, but he'll pick up his third start of the season in his return to the hill. Since being acquired from the Dodgers in late June and then joining the big club earlier this month, Jackson has delivered a 3.32 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB in 19 innings through his first five outings with the Pirates.