MLB Player News

The Padres recalled Knehr from Triple-A El Paso in advance of his scheduled start in the second game of Tuesday's doublheader with the Rockies in San Diego.

As expected, Knehr joins the Padres to make his fourth appearance and first start of 2022. Though he has yet to allow a run in 8.1 innings in the majors in 2022, he's been far less effective over a larger sample of action at Triple-A. In 23 appearances for El Paso spanning 67 innings, Knehr has submitted a 6.85 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.

The Phillies claimed Vasquez (ankle) off waivers from Toronto on Tuesday and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Before landing on the Blue Jays' 15-day injured list in early June due to a right ankle sprain, Vasquez posted an 8.10 ERA in 6.2 innings of relief for the Blue Jays. He's now healthy again after making three appearances during a minor-league rehab assignment, but the Blue Jays didn't have a spot for him on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old will find a new home in Philadelphia, but he'll first have to prove himself at Triple-A before getting a call back to the majors.

The Blue Jays acquired Pop and Anthony Bass from the Marlins in exchange for minor-league infielder Jordan Groshans on Tuesday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Pop has a 3.60 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB in 20 innings of relief this season for the Marlins. Four of the eight earned runs he's yielded came in one appearance July 25, so he's been effective for the most part. Saves will be hard to come by as long as Jordan Romano is healthy and pitching well, but Pop should see ample opportunities for holds while working in the middle innings going forward.

The Blue Jays acquired Bass and right-hander Zach Pop from the Marlins on Tuesday in exchange for infielder Jordan Groshans, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Bass arrives in Toronto in the midst of an exceptional 20-appearance run in which he submitted an 0.46 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB in 19.2 innings while gathering six holds. Though he won't be a threat to Jordan Romano's role as the Blue Jays' closer, Bass should provide an upgrade over the team's existing setup options. He'll also be more than a rental piece for the Blue Jays, as his contract contains an affordable $3 million team option for 2023.

Hentges (3-2) pitched a perfect 11th inning with one strikeout to earn the win Monday over the Diamondbacks.

Hentges extended his scoreless streak to 5.2 innings over his last five appearances with the clean frame, and Amed Rosario hit a walkoff single for the win. After a rough stretch in late June and early July, Hentges appears to have gotten himself back on track. He owns a 3.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB in 38 innings as a middle reliever this year.

The Rockies recalled Blach from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

The left-hander was demoted July 17 despite allowing just one run in 6.1 innings across his last three big-league appearances. Overall, Blach has a 5.73 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 18 games (one start) for Colorado this season and figures to see some middle-relief work going forward.

Akin recorded his second save of the season in Monday's 7-2 win over the Rangers, giving up one run on two hits over three innings while striking out three.

Aside from a solo shot by Nick Solak, Akin was in control over the final third of the game. The southpaw has thrived in a long-relief role this season, posting a 2.43 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 50:13 K:BB over 59.1 innings while adding two wins and two holds to his saves total.

The Orioles recalled Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

He'll fill the opening on the 26-man active roster that was created when closer Jorge Lopez was dealt to Minnesota earlier Tuesday for four minor-league pitchers. The departure of Lopez should pave the way for Felix Bautista to take over as the Orioles' closer, while Vespi is expected to settle into a middle-relief role while he's up with the big club. Over his previous 14 appearances with Baltimore spanning 16.1 innings, Vespi has generated a 4.41 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB.

The Oriolesn="Baltimore Orioles" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" data-league-abbreviation="MLB" data-team-abbreviation="BAL">Orioles acquired Cano, right-hander Juan Nunez and left-handers Cade Povich and Juan Rojas from the Twins on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Jorge Lopez, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Povich is the top prize in the deal for the Orioles, while Cano is the most MLB-ready of the four prospects that Baltimore received in return for its closer. The 28-year-old Cano made 10 relief appearances for Minnesota this season before being optioned Monday to Triple-A St. Paul, with whom he's produced a 1.90 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 23.2 innings. He could join the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk to begin his tenure with his new organization, but expect the right-hander to get another look in the big-league bullpen at some point in August or September.

Melancon (3-10) blew the save and took the loss Monday, giving up two unearned runs on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings in a 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Guardians.

The Diamondbacks took the lead in the top of the 10th inning, but Melancon gave up a single to Andres Gimenez to bring home Cleveland's phantom runner, and the veteran right-hander then suffered the same fate in the 11th as Amed Rosario walked it off with another single. Melancon's 10 losses on the year lead all relievers, but the blown save was only his third, with his last one coming June 4. His numbers aren't great, but his spot as Arizona's closer doesn't seem to be in immediate jeopardy.