MLB Player News

The Guardians optioned Espino to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

He'll swap places with Franco Aleman, who was summoned from Columbus in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old Espino made his major-league debut last month and allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with nine strikeouts across his first five big-league innings out of Cleveland's bullpen.

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Graceffo has managed a 3.35 ERA and 1.12 WHIP out of the St. Louis bullpen this season but an 18:19 K:BB over 40.1 innings suggests rocky days could be ahead. He's being sent out in order to make space on the roster for the return of Ryne Stanek from paternity leave.

The Astros transferred Sousa (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The move was made in order to activate Cristian Javier (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list. Sousa hasn't pitched since May 4 and this doesn't alter his timeline, as he's still expected to rejoin the Houston bullpen following the All-Star break in a couple weeks. He's working his way back from elbow inflammation.

The Cardinals activated Stanek from the paternity leave list Friday.

Stanek missed the series earlier this week in Atlanta as he welcomed a new baby to the family, but he's active ahead of the Cardinals' weekend set against the rival Cubs. Gordon Graceffo was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in order to make room on the roster.

The Marlins recalled Kempner from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Kempner was sent down last month despite logging nine scoreless innings with a 10:2 K:BB in six relief appearances. The 25-year-old will likely fill a middle relief role, but his stay in the majors could be brief as the Marlins will need a spot next week for a fifth starter, expected to be Janson Junk (shin).

The Cubs selected Pomeranz's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Pomeranz was cut loose by the Angels in mid-June after turning in a 5.01 ERA and 16:12 K:BB across 23.1 innings. The veteran left-hander excelled with the Cubs in 2025, logging a 2.17 ERA and 57:15 K:BB over 49.2 innings, and he'll aim to rediscover that form after making two scoreless appearances for Iowa.

Zastryzny (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with the Brewers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate Friday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Shoulder and intercostal injuries have kept Zastryzny on the shelf all season, but he's ready to test things out in game action. The lefty reliever will eventually move up to a higher affiliate and could be ready to join the Brewers' bullpen around the All-Star break.

Graceffo (6-1) tossed a perfect inning and was credited with the win Thursday in Atlanta.

Graceffo needed only nine pitches to cruise through the bottom of the sixth inning, vulturing another win after the Cardinals' offense exploded for seven runs in the top of the seventh. While he has managed to post a 3.35 ERA and 1.12 WHIP to go along with his six victories, five holds and one save in 35 appearances, Graceffo's 18:19 K:BB over 40.1 innings isn't pretty.

Bruihl logged 2.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Thursday's win over Atlanta.

Bruihl was first out of the bullpen for the Cardinals after starter Dustin May exited with an ankle injury after retiring just two batters. The team's bullpen wound up turning in 8.1 scoreless frames in a comeback victory. Bruihl got off to a rocky start this season but has settled in, authoring a 1.04 ERA and 15:2 K:BB over 17.1 innings covering his last 13 appearances.

Mikolas will appeal the five-game suspension he received Thursday and will be eligible to pitch for the Nationals until the appeal process is completed, Evan Drellich of The Athletic reports.

MLB issued bans for Mikolas and teammate Cade Cavalli (seven games) along with Boston's Willson Contreras (seven games) and Nate Eaton (three games) for their roles in a benches-clearing incident Tuesday. Mikolas' suspension was set to begin Friday, but the 37-year-old righty's appeal will keep in line to make his scheduled start Sunday against the Pirates. One or both Nationals pitchers could end up dropping their appeals at a more opportune time as the team figures out how to juggle the two looming absences from its rotation.