MLB Player News

Diaz will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

For the second time in three days, Diaz will open a game for the Tigers. After tossing a scoreless inning Sunday against the Angels before giving way to Joey Wentz, Diaz will most likely cover an inning or two Tuesday before giving way to Alex Faedo, who is available on five days' rest. Since joining the Tigers as a September call-up, Diaz has quickly emerged as one of manager A.J. Hinch's most trusted relievers. Diaz has yet to allow a run and has struck out nine while walking two over 6.2 innings.

Kowar (2-0) allowed a hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the win Monday over the Guardians.

Kowar's two wins have come over his last five appearances, in which he's posted a 5.1-inning scoreless streak with a 6:1 K:BB. The right-hander is finding a bit more success out of the bullpen in the majors, though he still has a 4.91 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 28:16 K:BB through 25.2 innings over 20 appearances this season. Kowar started just one of his 30 outings with Triple-A Omaha but pitched to a 5.96 ERA over 45.1 innings. It appears he'll mostly remain in a low-leverage role with the capability to take multiple innings for the rest of this season.

Stephan (6-7) allowed four runs (three earned) on three walks and a hit-by-pitch over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Monday versus the Royals.

Stephan couldn't find the strike zone, with just 12 of his 31 pitches landing for strikes in the wild outing. His poor showing allowed the Royals to rally in the eighth inning, though Enyel De Los Santos was tagged with the blown save after being unable to get the situation under control. Stephan has taken three losses while adding four holds over seven appearances in September, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) over 6.1 innings. He's at a 3.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 70:25 K:BB through 64.2 innings with two saves and 28 holds overall.

Hader allowed two hits without giving up a run in one-third of an inning to earn the save in Monday's 11-9 win over the Rockies.

The Padres' bullpen nearly blew an eight-run lead, but Hader was eventually able to end the Rockies' comeback hopes despite allowing an inherited runner to score. While far from a pretty effort, Hader was able to secure his 30th save of the season, which was his second in a three-day span after he saw light usage in early September. He's now at a 1.26 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 79:28 K:BB through 50 innings this season.

Abreu wasn't available to pitch during Monday's game against Baltimore after being struck by a line drive in the right forearm during Houston's weekend series with Kansas City, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dusty Baker noted that Abreu was sent for X-rays earlier in the day and the results came back negative. The team is hopeful the right-hander will be ready to pitch Tuesday, per Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston.

Megill will serve as the Brewers' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Cardinals, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Megill is no stranger to this role, as he opened Milwaukee's matchup Wednesday against Miami and tossed a scoreless frame. The Brewers have yet to reveal who will enter as the bulk reliever, though Adrian Houser and Colin Rea should both be available.

Ottavino struck out two batters in a perfect inning and earned a save over Miami on Monday.

Ottavino needed just 12 pitches to quickly close out the 2-1 win Monday. He has 10 strikeouts during his current 5.2-inning scoreless streak, picking up four saves during that span. Ottavino has converted 11 of his 14 save chances while registering a 2.87 ERA through 59.2 innings.

Cruz will serve as the Reds' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Twins, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Cruz last served as an opener Aug. 26 against Arizona, allowing one unearned run on one hit while fanning four across 1.1 innings. He's set to work an inning or two Tuesday before turning the game over to a bulk reliever, with Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer relaying that Ben Lively is the most likely candidate to enter the game after Cruz's departure.

Justice was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Justice was summoned from the bullpen both Saturday and Sunday and likely would have been unavailable for a day or two, so the Rockies decided to send him to the minors to open up a roster spot for fellow reliever Daniel Bard, who was activated from the injured list in the corresponding move.

Bard (forearm) was activated from the injured list Monday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Bard landed on the injured list earlier this month, but he will rejoin Colorado's bullpen just a couple days after he was first eligible to do so. He was tagged for 13 runs -- eight earned -- in 4.0 innings over his last five appearances with the Rockies, so it seems unlikely he will join the late-inning mix, even with fellow reliever Justin Lawrence tending to an ankle injury.