MLB Player News

Walker will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

For the fourth time in less than two weeks, Walker will handle the opener role for the Giants before turning the game over to the bullpen. Walker hasn't recorded more than five outs in any of his prior three "starts," so he shouldn't be expected to work more than once through the Toronto lineup. The Giants haven't designated a primary pitcher out of the bullpen behind Walker, but starter Alex Wood would be available on his normal four days' rest if manager Gabe Kapler wants to go that route.

Rodriguez (elbow) made his season debut Wednesday for the Mets' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate, tossing a scoreless frame while giving up one hit and no walks.

The appearance was Rodriguez's first in affiliated ball since the 2021 campaign, after he missed the entirety of last season and the early part of the current season while recovering from March 2022 Tommy John surgery. Prior to having the elbow procedure, Rodriguez finished the 2021 season at Single-A St. Lucie, so he could eventually rejoin the Mets' Florida State League affiliate once he makes a few more appearances at the rookie-ball level.

Ridings (lat) has made three appearances and has given up two earned runs on one hit and three walks while striking out five in 2.2 innings since being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on June 15.

Ridings opened the season on the 60-day injured list while recovering from a right lat strain but was cleared to resume pitching in minor-league games in early June. Because of the extensive time that Ridings missed, the Mets will likely want to see the right-hander pitch effectively in the minors over a longer period of time before he gets a look in the big-league bullpen.

The Nationals selected Willingham from Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Willingham began turning heads in Double-A Harrisburg after he made 10 shutout appearances while striking out 14 batters through 10.2 frames. While his stats dipped a bit following his Triple-A promotion (3.46 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through 13 IP), he's now earned his first call up to the big leagues. Willingham will add depth to Washington's bullpen and likely serve in middle relief.

The Reds designated Wynne for assignment Monday.

A day after being selected from Triple-A and allowing one run across 2.1 innings in his MLB debut, Wynne is back off the 40-man roster. The 30-year-old righty has a 5.12 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in Triple-A and would likely have to improve upon those marks before landing another shot in the bigs. Jake Wong was selected from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

The Reds recalled Salazar from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Cincinnati optioned right-hander Levi Stoudt to Triple-A to clear a spot on the active roster for Salazar, who should provide aid to an overtaxed Cincinnati bullpen that covered 16.2 innings during this past weekend's series with Atlanta. Salazar has previously made six relief appearances with Cincinnati, pitching to a 5.79 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 9.1 innings.

The Reds selected Wong's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Cincinnati recently wrapped up a three-game series with Atlanta in which its starting pitchers covered just 10.1 innings, so Wong will join the big club to provide a much-needed fresh arm in the bullpen. The 26-year-old right-hander received his first call to the majors despite posting a 10.13 ERA and 10:16 K:BB in 18.2 innings with Louisville this season.

Stephan (3-3) took the extra-inning loss Sunday versus the Brewers. He allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out two in one inning.

Stephan couldn't keep the game tied in the 10th inning, and the Guardians weren't able to catch up. Owen Miller supplied the RBI double to beat his former team. Stephan has still gone 8.2 innings without allowing an earned run since a three-run meltdown June 1. The setup man owns a 2.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 38:11 K:BB with two saves, 12 holds and four blown saves over 33 innings this season.

Hernandez (shoulder) worked one inning for High-A Brooklyn on Sunday, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless frame.

The right-hander had his rehab assignment paused at the beginning of June due to side discomfort, but he's beginning to ramp up again. Hernandez is likely to join the Mets bullpen when he gets healthy and won't need to get fully stretched out, so he could come off the IL before the All-Star break.

Clarke (1-2) took the loss Sunday against the Rays after allowing two runs on one hit and two walks while striking out a batter over an inning.

Clarke entered in the seventh with the game tied at one and got off to a good start by striking out Luke Raley, but things quickly took a turn. The next three batters reached to load the bases and two runs would score, one on a wild pitch and another on a sacrifice fly. Clarke now has been charged with two blown saves and two losses over his last four outings and has given up nine runs over that span. He now sits at a 4.81 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB in 33.2 innings.