MLB Player News

Stanek struck out three in 1.1 perfect innings of relief Thursday to record his seventh hold of the season in a win over the Brewers.

The right-hander fired 12 of 15 pitches for strikes in a dominant performance. Stanek has picked up holds in back-to-back appearances, and while he remains prone to meltdowns he's been dialed in over the last couple weeks, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB in his last six innings. He's tied for third on the Mets in holds, behind Reed Garrett's 14 and Huascar Brazoban's 10, but Stanek could get bumped further down the pecking order for setup work if the team makes significant bullpen additions at the trade deadline.

Nunez (elbow) may require Tommy john surgery, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

While the Mets initially labeled Nunez's injury as a right elbow sprain when he was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, an MRI revealed more significant issues with his ligament. If he does end up needing Tommy John surgery, it would be the second such procedure in the 29-year-old right-hander's career. Given his history of arm trouble, expect the Mets to be cautious with Nunez's recovery, even if he avoids a worst-case scenario.

Faucher gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning Thursday to record his fifth hold of the season in a win over the Twins.

Ronny Henriquez has picked up the Marlins' last three saves, and four of the team's last five, as he stakes a claim to the closer role. Faucher remains in the high-leverage mix, and the ninth-inning situation for Miami has been volatile all season, but for now it appears as though the 29-year-old righty has been bumped to setup duty. Through 32.1 innings this year, Faucher has compiled a 4.18 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB along with three wins and eight saves against four blown saves.

Hagenman is slated to start Friday's game against the Yankees at Citi Field, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old right-hander will be making his first MLB start Friday, after his prior two appearances with the Mets came in relief. Before he was recalled Thursday, Hagenman had been making regular turns in the Triple-A Syracuse rotation, posting a 6.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB in 42 innings. With a decent showing Friday, Hagenman could get another start next week, but he won't have much longevity in the big-league rotation with Sean Manaea (oblique/elbow) and Kodai Senga (hamstring) both nearing returns from the injured list.

Burr (shoulder) struck out two in a scoreless inning for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

The righty reliever has a 3.52 ERA and an 11:5 K:BB over 7.2 Triple-A innings during his rehab stint, and he appears just about ready to come off the 60-day IL. Burr has yet to pitch in the majors this season after shoulder issues cropped up during spring training, but he could provide a boost to a Blue Jays bullpen that has handled a heavy workload in the first half. Over 32.2 innings for Toronto in 2024, Burr posted a 4.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB.

The Phillies recalled Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander served as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres and delivered two scoreless frames. Johnson has allowed one run in four innings between his two big-league appearances this season.

The Reds activated Ashcraft (groin) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

The right-hander landed on the shelf in mid-June due to a groin strain and will rejoin the big-league bullpen without needing a minor-league rehab assignment. In his first season as a reliever, Ashcraft has a 4.19 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 38:14 K:BB across 34.1 innings while recording nine holds.

Washington recalled Loutos from Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

The right-hander was optioned to Rochester on Thursday but will end up sticking with the Nationals as Trevor Williams (elbow) heads to the injured list. Loutos has given up six earned runs with a 2:5 K:BB over 4.1 frames in six outings with Washington this year.

Flexen (5-0) tossed a scoreless inning of relief with a strikeout to earn the win in Thursday's 1-0, 10-inning victory over the Guardians.

Flexen continued his strong season for the Cubs, as he has a 0.62 ERA and 0.83 WHIP along with a perfect 5-0 record across 29 innings out of the bullpen. It's the most wins for the former starter since he went 8-9 in 33 appearances (22 starts) for Seattle back in 2022. Flexen doesn't provide a ton of strikeouts, as he only has 15 of them this year, but he's otherwise been a valuable long reliever for Chicago.

Cantillo didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Cubs, giving up two hits and three walks in 3.1 scoreless innings. He struck out five.

The 25-year-old left-hander was summoned from the minor leagues Thursday and plugged into the rotation, and he was able to keep a tough Chicago lineup in check despite not being fully stretched out. Cantillo was lifted after throwing a season-high 68 pitches in his first big-league start of the season, and he owns a serviceable 3.41 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 41:17 K:BB over 31.2 frames for the Guardians. With Luis L. Ortiz placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of an MLB gambling investigation, Cantillo's next start lines up for a stiff challenge against the Astros in Houston.