MLB Player News

Avila has made his last two appearances for the Padres on Aug. 6 and Aug. 12 as a long reliever, working 9.1 innings between the two outings while striking out nine and giving up one earned run on eight hits and one walk.

Though he was moved to the bullpen after making a spot start Aug. 1 in Colorado, Avila has essentially been piggybacking Rich Hill in both of the veteran southpaw's last two turns through the rotation. The Padres likely didn't plan for the two to work in tandem on either occasion, as Hill failed to escape the fourth inning in both outings while giving up nine earned runs in total. Hill is slated to start Thursday's game in Arizona, and Avila could be called upon to cover multiple innings once more if Hill again struggles early in the contest.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said July 21 that Knehr (elbow) would require season-ending Tommy John surgery, MLB.com reports.

Knehr has presumably had the procedure at some point over the ensuing four weeks and will now miss the rest of the 2023 season, and likely, the majority of the 2024 campaign. Before landing on the shelf in late June with the elbow injury, Knehr gave up 10 earned runs on 10 hits and five walks over 5.2 innings across four appearances with the Friars.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Hill (finger) isn't progressing as quickly as hoped and has yet to resume throwing bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.

Since landing on the 15-day injured list Aug. 2 with a sprained left ring finger, Hill has been limited to playing catch with tape on his injured digit. Melvin suggested that Hill will soon be able to remove the tape from his finger and start throwing off a mound, but the southpaw is still probably a week or more away from returning from the IL.

Morejon (knee) has made his last two rehab appearances at Triple-A El Paso, covering 1.2 innings and allowing an unearned run on one hit and no walks while striking out three between the two outings.

Morejon shifted his rehab assignment to El Paso after he struck out two in a scoreless inning for the Padres' rookie-level Arizona Complex League club Aug. 4. The right-hander has been on the shelf since July 16 with right knee inflammation, an injury he picked up while fielding a bunt. Morejon could be on the cusp of being activated from the 15-day injured list, but he's unlikely to hold a major role out of the Friars bullpen once reinstated.

Sewald picked up the save Wednesday against Colorado, allowing one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.

Sewald entered the game with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and allowed a leadoff single to Charlie Blackmon before retiring the next three batters, two of which went down swinging. The veteran reliever has now converted each of his last four save opportunities, racking up five strikeouts to only one walk over that scoreless stretch. He has, however, allowed a total of four hits over his last two appearances.

Assad allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over six innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Wednesday.

Marcus Stroman (hip/ribs) was originally expected to start Wednesday, but he had a setback that's keeping him on the injured list. Instead, Assad got another opportunity in the rotation and notched his second straight quality start. The right-hander opened with three scoreless frames before the White Sox tagged him for a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth, but Assad bounced back with a scoreless sixth before he was relieved. He's pitched well enough to remain a starter even after Stroman returns, though that scenario may depend on whether the Cubs elect to keep Drew Smyly in the bullpen or place him back in the rotation.

Iglesias earned a save against the Yankees on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.

Iglesias needed just 10 pitches to set the side down in order in the ninth frame, with a strikeout of Aaron Judge among the three outs he recorded. The veteran closer extended his streak of scoreless outings to 10, and he's picked up seven saves while posting a 15:2 K:BB over 10 innings during that span.

Walker (4-2) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out two over one inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Rays.

Walker has given up just two runs (one earned) over 8.1 innings across seven appearances in August while continuing his role as a frequent opener. This was his 10th start of the season, though he's yet to exceed three innings in any appearance. Walker has a 2.23 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 50:13 K:BB over 44.1 innings, and he'll likely continue to see time either as an opener or a low-leverage reliever the rest of the way.

Hader allowed a hit and struck out two without walking a batter in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Hader went over two weeks between save chances and saw just one appearance in that span. He's been dominant over recent months, allowing just one unearned run over 20.1 innings across his last 22 appearances. For the season, the closer is 27-for-31 in save conversions while pitching to a 0.84 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 65:22 K:BB through 42.2 innings overall.

Kelly (forearm) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Kelly landed on the injured list Sunday due to inflammation in his right forearm and is set to resume throwing off a mound after nearly a week. Kelly will still have to remain out for at least another week following his bullpen session Friday.