MLB Player News

Bautista (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery in October, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Bautista's 1.48 ERA, 33 saves and 46.4 percent strikeout rate helped the Orioles get back to the playoffs this season, but he won't get to be part of the roster as they push to make their first World Series since 1983. Tommy John surgery seemed possible when Bautista was first diagnosed with a UCL injury back in late August, but the fact that he quickly resumed throwing and had recently advanced to a 25-pitch simulated game seemed to indicate that he'd avoided a worst-case scenario. Instead, he'll miss not only this year's playoffs but the entirety of next season as well. In less significant news, he also signed a two-year contract extension, per Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com, buying out his first year of arbitration and giving him peace of mind as he recovers. Yennier Cano will continue handling closer duties in Bautista's absence.

The Brewers optioned Andrews to the Arizona Complex League on Saturday

After giving up two runs over 1.2 frames Friday, Andrews will be sent to the Brewers' facility in Arizona and remain on stand-by should the team need him during its postseason run. The 26-year-old has been lit up over the course of his four MLB appearances, so it's unlikely he sees action in the playoffs barring an emergency situation. He will be joined in Arizona by Caleb Boushley, and Eric Lauer and Trevor Megill (paternity) will take their places on the active roster.

Koch will be the first pitcher on the mound in what's expected to be a bullpen game for the Rockies against the Twins on Saturday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Koch hasn't pitched more than two innings in any of his 37 relief appearances this season, so don't expect him to last much longer than that this time around. The Rockies haven't announced who (if anyone) will be tasked with handling the bulk relief role behind him.

The Brewers reinstated Megill (paternity) from the restricted list Saturday.

After moving Megill to the restricted list to give him extra time with his expanding family, the Brewers will get their flame-throwing reliever back a day later. After a rough start to the season, Megill has posted a 1.69 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over 16 innings since Aug. 16, though the Brewers' immense bullpen depth has kept Megill from seeing many high-leverage opportunities. Clayton Andrews and Caleb Boushley were optioned to rookie ball in corresponding moves.

Lopez was designated for assignment Saturday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

The Orioles claimed Lopez off waivers from the Marlins on Sept. 2. During his month with Baltimore, he had a 5.25 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP in 12.0 innings. In a corresponding move, Bruce Zimmermann was recalled.

Zimmermann was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Zimmermann's last appearance in the majors was back on July 4. Since being optioned, the pitcher has a 4.75 ERA across 53.0 innings in Triple-A. In a corresponding move, Jorge Lopez was designated for assignment.

The Phillies recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

As Dylan Covey (back) lands on the injured list for the final days of the regular season, Ortiz will come up from the minors to round out Philadelphia's bullpen. The 28-year-old righty holds a 3.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP through 18 frames in the majors this season and figures to serve in middle relief while with the Phillies.

The Phillies placed Covey on the 15-day injured list Saturday with lower back pain.

Covey served as a solid middle-relief option for Philadelphia this season and will finish the 2023 regular-season campaign with a 3.77 ERA and 1.51 WHIP through 43 innings across 29 appearances. Luis Ortiz was promoted from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Vest will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher Saturday against the Guardians, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Tigers are treating their penultimate game of the regular season as a bullpen day, with Vest unlikely to work more than an inning or two before giving way to a slew of relievers. Vest will be serving as an opener for the fourth time this season.

Almonte (knee) was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City on a rehab assignment Saturday.

Almonte has been out since he injured his right knee while pitching in Colorado on Aug. 11. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has said that the pitcher probably would not be ready until around the start of the NLCS. If the Dodgers get to that point, the 29-year-old will have gone over two months since the injury.