MLB Player News

Sewald struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Athletics.

Sewald needed just 10 pitches (seven strikes) to lock down his ninth save of the season. His scoreless streak is up to four frames, and he has a 2.65 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB through 17 innings this season. Sewald will likely remain unchallenged for closing duties until Andres Munoz (shoulder) returns from the injured list.

Nelson (hamstring) was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday and optioned to Double-A Reading.

Nelson is fully recovered from the left hamstring strain that he suffered in mid-March, but the Phillies don't have a spot for him right now on their active roster. He had been getting stretched out for a starting role on his minor-league rehab assignment, so he'll likely step into Reading's rotation.

McArthur was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Thursday.

This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Jeff Hoffman, who is joining the Phillies' bullpen. McArthur posted a 7.31 ERA in 16 innings (four starts, one relief appearance) this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Marte was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

With the promotion of Jeff Hoffman to the major-league squad, Marte will head to the minors to make room on the roster. Marte hasn't found much success in the majors this season, allowing 10 earned runs through just five innings of work, and he will likely remain in Triple-A until he shows signs of improvement.

Hoffman had his contract selected by the Phillies on Thursday.

Hoffman triggered the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with Philly earlier this week, forcing the hand of the reigning NL champs. He racked up 16 strikeouts through nine innings of relief this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley but was holding an overall 7.00 ERA. The right-hander figures to operate in a low-leverage bullpen role.

Hoffman exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Phillies earlier this week, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Hoffman has yet to be officially released, so perhaps the two sides were able to come to a new agreement. If not, he will soon become a free agent. The 30-year-old right-hander has flashed improved velocity this season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley but was sporting an ugly 7.00 ERA through nine innings of relief in the International League.

Finnegan (1-1) earned the win Thursday against the Cubs after he allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

Finnegan entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 3-3 and gave up a walk and a double to Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, respectively, to start the frame, but the righty retired the next three batters to preserve the tie. Alex Call then led off the bottom of the frame with a walkoff home run. Finnegan pitched each of the past three days -- notching two saves in addition to Thursday's win -- so he may not be available for Friday's series opener against the Diamondbacks. Carl Edwards and Mason Thompson are likely the next men up should a save chance arise Friday, since Hunter Harvey also pitched the past three days.

Boxberger (0-1) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Nationals after he gave up a walkoff home run to the first batter he faced.

The veteran right-hander entered for the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied 3-3, and Alex Call took him deep on the first pitch to end the game. It's just the third time in 13 outings that Boxberger has been scored upon, and he has a 4.09 ERA and a 9:6 K:BB in 11 frames. He's tallied just two saves but should still have a clear leg up on Michael Fulmer for closing duties.

Jansen (back) is available out of the Red Sox' bullpen for Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Jansen hasn't pitched since Saturday due to back tightness, but he made it through a bullpen session Wednesday with no issues and is ready to roll. The veteran closer has six saves, a 1.04 ERA and a 12:2 K:BB through nine outings this season.

Holmes allowed a run on two hits in one-third of an inning against Cleveland on Wednesday.

Two days after Holmes was given a verbal vote of confidence from manager Aaron Boone, the right-hander was called upon to preserve a 2-2 tie with two outs and the bases empty in the top of the ninth. He couldn't come through, allowing a Myles Straw double and an Oscar Gonzalez single that pushed the go-ahead run across the plate for the Guardians. Holmes did manage to record the final out of the frame, and he was bailed out of a loss when the Yankees tied the score in the bottom of the ninth. Neither knock Holmes allowed was hit hard, but this was still a discouraging outing for the closer, who has blown two saves and taken two losses while allowing five runs (three earned) across 4.1 frames over his past six appearances.