MLB Player News

The Nationals released Fernandez (undisclosed) on Wednesday.

Fernandez had been booted from the 40-man roster last week and has now been cut loose after clearing waivers. The righty had been on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Rochester with an undisclosed injury, and it's unclear when he might be ready to pitch again.

Rodriguez will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game versus the Cardinals, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Rodriguez will cover the first inning or two before turning the ball over to Griffin Canning, who will be utilized in bulk relief. The 22-year-old Rodriguez boasts a 2.16 ERA this season but has been scored upon in four of his last five appearances.

Varland gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Tuesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Royals. He struck out one.

The right-hander entered the game to protect a three-run lead, and while he did serve up a solo shot to Lane Thomas, Varland got the job done on 23 pitches (14 strikes). His brother Louis also notched a save for the Blue Jays on Tuesday, making them the fourth set of brothers in MLB history to pick up saves on the same day, with Edwin Diaz and Alexis Diaz having most recently accomplished the feat May 17, 2022. The Nationals' Varland has the team's two most recent saves, and he seems to have nudged his way to the front of the line for closing opportunities, as neither Clayton Beeter nor Richard Lovelady have collected a save in June.

Ashby improved to 10-0 on the season in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Guardians after striking out two batters while allowing one earned run on one hit and two walks across one inning of relief.

Despite being charged with the Guardians' only run of the night when he surrendered a game-tying RBI single to Gabriel Arias in the top of the seventh inning, Ashby was credited with the win after the Brewers recovered the lead with a Garrett Mitchell home run in the bottom of the frame. Despite making just one start as an opener and not typically pitching in the highest-leverage spots out of the bullpen, Ashby has been a fantasy asset by virtue of racking up an MLB-leading 10 wins. He's also turned in a 2.86 ERA to go with 61 strikeouts over 44 innings, though a high walk rate has played a part in inflating his WHIP to 1.36.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Vargas (lat) recently began a throwing program and could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list around the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Zac Hereth of 710 AM Seattle Sports reports.

Vargas has been on the shelf all season while recovering from a right lat strain, which he sustained in spring training. Even though Vargas projects to serve as a middle reliever and won't need to get stretched out for more than an inning or two, the Mariners are content to have him move through his throwing program slowly. A more definitive target date for his return should become available once he's ready to head out on a rehab assignment.

Gaddis (1-2) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Brewers after allowing a run and a hit over one inning of work. He didn't record a strikeout.

Gaddis has been a reliable bullpen arm for the Guardians all season long, but he was tagged with the loss in this one after giving up the game-winning homer to Garrett Mitchell in the bottom of the seventh inning. Gaddis has allowed runs in two of hs last four outings, but he should remain a top setup option in Cleveland's bullpen. Over his last 13 appearances and 12.2 innings, Gaddis has a 1.42 ERA and 0.87 WHIP while recording eight holds and a save.

Varland gave up a hit and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings Tuesday to record his 13th save of the season in a 6-1 win over the Red Sox. He struck out three.

The right-hander fanned Mickey Gasper to end the eighth inning with the Blue Jays ahead 4-1 before they tacked on insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Varland has yet to blow a save chance this season, and while he's been showing some signs of fatigue lately after appearing in 35 of Toronto's first 73 games, he still sports a 3.38 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB over eight innings in June. His brother Gus also notched a save for the Nationals on Tuesday, making them the fourth set of brothers in MLB history to pick up saves on the same day, with Edwin Diaz and Alexis Diaz having most recently accomplished the feat May 17, 2022.

O'Brien earned the save Tuesday against the Padres after tossing a scoreless ninth inning while allowing a walk.

O'Brien has converted his last five save opportunities and has gone 18-for-22 so far in 2026. One of the most reliable ninth-inning relievers in the National League this season, O'Brien owns a 3.73 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 31 appearances (31.1 innings) in 2026.

Phillips (1-2) took the loss Tuesday, surrendering eight runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and three walks over four innings as the Marlins fell 8-2 to the Phillies. He struck out four.

The Phillies put up three runs off the right-hander in the first inning without leaving the yard, but even that small grace note on the outing was quickly spoiled as Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber all launched homers before Phillips got the hook after 79 pitches (48 strikes). The eight earned runs allowed were more than Phillips had given up in his prior 11 appearances and 31.1 innings combined, spiking his ERA on the season from 1.86 to 3.10, while the three long balls were more than he'd served up all year. He'll try to shake off this disaster in his next start, which lines up to come at home this weekend against the Giants.

Megill earned the save in Tuesday's win over the Guardians after pitching a perfect ninth inning, striking out two.

Megill needed just 12 pitches (eight strikes) to earn his ninth save of the season in 11 chances. He's bounced back nicely after blowing a save against the Rockies at Coors Field on June 5, when he allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over an inning of work. Since then, he's posted three straight scoreless outings around a brief absence due to side tightness. Once again the top endgame option in Milwaukee, Megill has allowed just two runs in his last 11 appearances -- a stretch in which he owns a 1.64 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 13.9 K/9.