MLB Player News

Assad (oblique) will resume a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs on Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Assad has been sidelined all season after aggravating a left oblique strain during a rehab start back in late April. The right-hander is hoping to be available for the Cubs at some point in August, but it's uncertain what his role would look like at that time.

The Mets transferred Nunez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The transaction is merely procedural, as Nunez is slated to miss the rest of the season and likely the entire 2026 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery last Monday. The Mets claimed right-hander Rico Garcia from the Yankees on Monday and will have him take over Nunez's spot on the 40-man roster.

The Mets claimed Garcia off waivers from the Yankees on Monday.

Garcia has now gone from the Mets to the Yankees and now back to the Mets via waivers this month. He threw 4.2 scoreless innings for the Mets earlier in July before coughing up three runs over 2.2 frames in his lone appearance with the Yankees. Garcia is out of minor-league options, so he will be added to the Mets' 26-man active roster.

Diaz (5-0) was credited with the win after blowing a save opportunity Sunday against the Reds, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless one-third of an inning.

Brought in to protect a one-run lead with one on and two outs in the top of the eighth inning, Diaz loaded the bases with a walk and a single before plunking Spencer Steer to bring home the tying run, which was charged to Reed Garrett. Diaz then didn't come back out for the ninth after throwing 16 pitches, only six of which were strikes. Not counting the All-Star Game, it was the Mets' closer's first blown save since June 2, which was also the last time he gave up a run. Over his last 13 appearances, Diaz has posted a 0.77 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB in 13 innings to go along with his pristine 0.00 ERA while picking up two wins and six saves.

Akin (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Akin has missed most of July with left shoulder inflammation but is ready to test himself in a game setting. Because the left-hander's absence has been relatively brief, Akin will likely require just a couple rehab appearances before rejoining the Orioles' active roster.

Nance struck out three over 1.2 perfect relief innings to record his first hold of the season in Sunday's win over the Giants.

The 34-year-old right-hander was called up to bolster an injury-ravaged Toronto bullpen last weekend, and Nance has been surprisingly effective, allowing just an unearned run over three appearances and 3.2 innings with a 5:1 K:BB. With the Blue Jays likely to add more depth at the trade deadline and set to get setup options like Yimi Garcia (ankle/elbow) and Nick Sandlin (elbow) back in the next couple weeks, Nance's stay in the majors could end up being fairly brief.

Sandlin (elbow) has begun playing catch, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old righty has had trouble staying healthy in his first season with the Blue Jays, but he's been effective when available, posting a 2.20 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB with a save and six holds over 16.1 innings and 19 appearances. Sandlin's latest injury, a bout of elbow inflammation, has sidelined him since July 7, but now that he's resumed a throwing progression he could be ready to rejoin the Toronto bullpen by the end of the month.

Dunning gave up one run on two hits and a walk over three innings of relief in Sunday's loss to the Yankees. He struck out two.

The veteran righty was acquired from the Rangers to provide a beleaguered Atlanta bullpen with some length, and Dunning did exactly that in his debut for the team. With only two healthy, reliable starters in the rotation in Spencer Strider and Grant Holmes, who took the loss in a quality start Sunday, Dunning figures to see plenty of action over the final months of the season. Through 13.2 big-league innings this season over six relief appearances between Texas and Atlanta, the 30-year-old has a 3.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB.

Martin is likely to be placed on the 15-day injured list after suffering a left calf strain during Sunday's loss to the Tigers, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The severity of the strain is unclear, but it seems to be bad enough that Martin will be shelved for at least a couple weeks. The veteran reliever has been a high-leverage arm for the Rangers this season, collecting a 2.36 ERA and 36:6 K:BB over 34.1 innings while notching a pair of saves.

Hill earned a hold against Atlanta on Sunday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in one scoreless inning.

Hill handled the eighth inning Sunday, throwing 10 of 11 pitches for strikes and working around a one-out single to set up closer Devin Williams with a two-run lead. The left-handed Hill is up to 10 holds on the campaign, his most since the 2021 season, when he was with San Diego. Five of those holds have come over his past 11 outings, a span in which he's recorded a 2.31 ERA with a 7:1 K:BB across 11.2 frames.