MLB Player News

The Cardinals optioned Fernandez to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Fernandez has pitched well in his opportunities with the big club, posting a 1.59 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 5.2 innings. However, the Cardinals needed to free a roster spot for Hunter Dobbins, who is starting Thursday in Pittsburgh, and Fernandez is the casualty.

The Reds recalled Maxwell from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Maxwell has collected a 5.91 ERA and 17:8 K:BB over 10.2 innings this season with Louisville. The hard-throwing right-hander will fill a middle-relief role in Cincinnati.

Lopez (2-1) picked up the win Wednesday over the Tigers, striking out two batters in two perfect innings of relief.

The right-hander breezed through the eighth and ninth innings on just 17 pitches (12 strikes) and got rewarded when Matt Olson launched a walk-off homer. It was Lopez's first relief appearance since losing his spot in the rotation, but he wasn't showing increased velocity in his new role -- he topped out at 93.6 mph with his fastball Wednesday -- and he figures to be in the bullpen for a while. With Spencer Strider (oblique) set to come off the IL this weekend and rookie JR Ritchie making a good impression since his promotion, there's simply no room for Lopez in Atlanta's rotation right now.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Espada will serve as the 27th man for the Orioles during their doubleheader Thursday versus the Astros. The 29-year-old hasn't been particularly sharp with Norfolk in the early going, allowing seven runs (six earned) with a 7:9 K:BB over 10 frames. Espada will likely be sent back down after Thursday's games.

The Astros activated Bolton (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Bolton had been on the shelf since mid-April with mid-back inflammation, but he was cleared to join the big club ahead of Thursday's doubleheader with the Orioles after making a two-inning rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend. Though he had made starts in his last two appearances with Houston prior to landing on the IL, Bolton will likely slot into the bullpen for the time being and operate as a multi-inning option.

Ferguson (oblique) walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning for Double-A Chattanooga on Tuesday.

Ferguson threw 14 pitches (seven strikes) in his first outing while on a rehab assignment with the Lookouts. The left-hander is expected to be used as an opener Friday before throwing out of the bullpen next week for Chattanooga, per MLB.com.

Diaz said Monday that he's feeling "really good" following right elbow surgery and expressed confidence that he will be back to full strength in the second half of the season, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Diaz also explained that he's dealt with loose bodies in his elbow throughout most of his professional career but hadn't been affected by them until this season. The veteran closer underwent surgery to remove those loose bodies April 22 and stated Monday that he is "really surprised" that movement in his arm is "really good" so soon after the procedure. Diaz followed by saying he's "100 percent" confident that he'll be back at peak form in the second half of the campaign and shared that he wants to return to action "as soon as possible," though that isn't likely to happen until some time after the All-Star break.

Leiter walked one and struck out one without giving up a run over one-third of an inning, earning the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Royals.

Joel Kuhnel entered the game in relief of starter Luis Severino in the eighth inning when the Athletics were up 5-1. In the ninth, Kuhnel created some trouble and allowed a run on two hits and a sacrifice fly. Leiter was brought in and closed the door, earning his first save since April 14. Over his last six outings, Leiter has covered five innings, surrendering one run on four hits and three walks while adding six strikeouts. He's part of the closing committee, and this save has Leiter within one of Kuhnel for the team lead in saves. Leiter is at a 6.23 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 13 innings while adding three saves in five chances and one hold over 15 appearances.

O'Brien secured the save Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

While O'Brien did allow the tying run to get aboard, he held on for his eighth save of the year courtesy of an amazing leaping catch at the wall by Nathan Church for the game's final out. The right-hander is solidifying his grip on St. Louis' closer role, posting a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB over 15.1 frames. O'Brien trails only Mason Miller (10) in saves in the National League so far.

Pallante (3-2) tallied the win Wednesday against the Pirates, allowing one run on five hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out six.

Pallante delivered perhaps his finest effort of the season so far. The right-hander pitched a season-high six frames, issued no walks for the first time this year and also turned in his third start of the campaign with at least five innings while yielding one or no runs. Pallante has put together a respectable 3.73 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 26:14 K:BB over 31.1 frames, but he's next lined up for a tough assignment against the Brewers.