MLB Player News

Finnegan was saddled with a blown save after allowing three runs on three hits, walking and striking out none, during Monday's 6-4 loss to the Rockies.

It was perhaps the worst outing of the season for Finnegan, allowing a season-high three runs and three hits. The 33-year-old has flirted with danger lately, allowing seven hits in his last five games, but this was the first time that he allowed a run credited to him over that stretch. The right-hander is now 18-for-23 on save opportunities for the season.

Kerkering secured the save in Monday's 5-2 win at Miami, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

The 24-year-old required just 12 pitches, nine of which were strikes, to pick up his first save of the season. Kerkering has now made 16 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run, a span during which he's tossed 14.1 innings with a 13:7 K:BB. Jordan Romano, the Philadelphia saves leader, pitched in the seventh inning, while Matt Strahm, who secured the save Saturday, pitched in the eighth of Monday's contest. If Phillies manager Rob Thomson is trending towards employing a closer committee, Kerkering, with his 2.54 ERA across 28.1 total innings, could be in line for more save opportunities.

The Athletics optioned Holman to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Holman hadn't pitched since last Wednesday, when he was dinged for three runs without recording an out. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for the return of J.T. Ginn (quadriceps) from the 15-day injured list.

The Mariners optioned Kowar to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The transaction frees a spot on the active roster for the return of right-hander Logan Gilbert (elbow) from the injured list. Kowar made seven appearances after being activated from the 60-day injured list late last month, yielding two runs with an 8:3 K:BB over 8.2 frames.

Thompson (elbow) will begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Thompson has been cleared to embark on a rehab assignment after his lone outing in the Florida League Complex on Saturday, when he allowed two hits and struck out two batters in one inning. The 27-year-old right-hander is taking the final steps of his recovery from Tommy John surgery in March of 2024. How Thompson's throwing elbow reacts to extended work in Double-A will determine a timeline for his return to the majors.

Cousins will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Wednesday, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Cousins has dealt with issues with his pitching arm since the beginning of spring training and recently experienced a setback that has prompted him to get season-ending surgery. He will be shelved at least until the middle of the 2026 season.

Tinoco (forearm) resumed a throwing program Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Tinoco has missed much of June with a right forearm strain but has been cleared to play catch. The right-handed reliever will likely require a rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list.

The Pirates activated Moreta (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Moreta has made 18 rehab appearances as he comes back from Tommy John surgery, allowing five runs with a 21:12 K:BB over 16.2 innings. The 29-year-old will continue to knock some rust off at Triple-A Indianapolis while he awaits another opportunity at the big-league level.

The Astros recalled Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Alexander will be joining the Astros as a replacement on the 26-man active roster for right-hander Lance McCullers (foot), whom Houston placed on the 15-day injured list. Ryan Gusto will be pushed up a day in the Astros' pitching schedule to start Monday's series opener in Sacramento, but Alexander could be called upon to start Tuesday's game against the Athletics while Houston looks to keep a six-man rotation intact during a stretch of 13 games in 13 days, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The 32-year-old Alexander hasn't made a start in the majors since 2022, but he made four appearances in the majors with the Athletics earlier this season and gave up 13 runs (12 earned) in six innings. Since being claimed off waivers by the Astros on May 18, Alexander has worked out of the Sugar Land rotation and has posted a 1.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB in 20.2 innings over four starts.

The Tigers claimed Hernandez off waivers from the Phillies on Monday.

Hernandez had been designated for assignment after logging a 5.26 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 23:13 K:BB in 25.2 innings for the Phillies. The hard-throwing right-hander does not have minor-league options remaining, so he will join the Tigers' active roster. Detroit will announce a corresponding transaction prior to Tuesday's game against the Pirates.