MLB Player News

The Padres designated Waldron for assignment Wednesday.

The Padres needed to clear room for Jeremiah Estrada's (knee) return from the injured list, and because he doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, Waldron was dropped from the 40-man roster to facilitate the transaction. Waldron was a serviceable back-end starter for the Padres in 2024 but has seen his effectiveness wane in the two seasons since while also missing considerable time due to injuries. In 10 appearances (three starts) for San Diego this season, Waldron turned in a 7.16 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 32.2 innings.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said after Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Pirates that Sewald has been removed from the closer's role for the time being and will be used in lower-leverage situations, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

After recording just one out and yielding three earned runs en route to blowing his second save in his last three chances during Tuesday's 8-7 win in 12 innings, Sewald was passed over for the save chance Wednesday. Brandyn Garcia got the call in the ninth inning and retired three of the four batters he faced to earn his second save of the season, though Lovullo declined to name him the team's closer moving forward. Instead, Lovullo indicated that he plans to play matchups for any save chances that emerge in the short term with Garcia, Juan Morillo, Jonathan Loaisiga and Kevin Ginkel all potentially factoring into the late-inning picture. Sewald could eventually join that group, but he'll first have to pitch effectively in less pressure-packed situations after he had yielded at least one run in seven of his last 13 appearances.

The Padres reinstated Estrada (knee) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Estrada will be available out of the bullpen for the Padres' series finale versus the Rockies after San Diego cleared a spot for him by designating right-hander Matt Waldron for assignment. Prior to landing on the IL on June 5 due to right knee inflammation, Estrada handled a key setup role in front of closer Mason Miller. In 21 appearances, Estrada has notched two wins, seven holds and one save while pitching to a 3.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 20.2 innings.

The Brewers optioned Stallings to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

He's clearing off the roster to make space for Thomas Pannone, who will start Wednesday's game in San Francisco. Stallings has turned in five scoreless innings covering three appearances for the Brewers this season, so he should eventually get another opportunity.

Mears (shoulder/lat) began throwing from 60 feet Monday, MLB.com reports.

Mears has been sidelined since May 29 due to a right shoulder impingement and has dealt with multiple setbacks in his recovery, including a July 10 scan that revealed a right lat strain. Resuming throwing is a positive step, though the right-hander still has many boxes to check before a return from the injured list becomes a realistic possibility. Prior to hitting the shelf, Mears posted a 5.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

Hart will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Hart opened ahead of bulk reliever Griffin Canning in a game last week in Atlanta, and it's expected to be the same setup for Wednesday's contest. The lefty Hart has posted a 5.21 ERA and 33:12 K:BB across 38 innings for the Padres this season.

The Blue Jays recalled Dallas from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Dallas will give the Blue Jays some length in the bullpen, if needed. He's allowed just one run with a 3:2 K:BB in 4.2 innings covering two relief outings for the Blue Jays this season and holds a 3.16 ERA and 56:20 K:BB across 57 frames with Buffalo.

The Blue Jays optioned Van Eyk to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Van Eyk threw 3.1 innings and 69 pitches out of the bullpen in Tuesday's loss to the Nationals, so he's being replaced by a fresh bullpen arm. Chad Dallas will come up from Buffalo to take Van Eyk's spot on the 26-man active roster.

Nardi (ribs) said Wednesday that he's about 2-to-3 weeks away from beginning a rehab assignment, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

It's unclear where Nardi is in his throwing program, but the reliever has progressed enough that he believes he's not far off from pitching in games. The lefty collected a 5.16 ERA and 27:11 K:BB over 22.2 innings before going down with a left ribcage stress reaction in late May.

Lange (1-6) blew the save and took the loss in Tuesday's 3-2 loss against the Twins. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.

It's the third blown save in Lange's past five appearances, and he's also surrendered 15 runs over his last nine outings. Steven Cruz has picked up two saves in the past week and seems likely to get more opportunities going forward given Lange's 6.33 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 5.1 BB/9 across 42.2 innings this year.