MLB Player News

Walston (elbow) struck out two and allowed one hit in a scoreless inning during a rehab appearance Wednesday with Triple-A Reno.

Walston had been a full-time starter throughout his minor-league career and started in two of his seven appearances during his debut season with the Diamondbacks in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery last spring. While the Diamondbacks may not have closed the door on developing the 25-year-old as a starter, it appears he'll be preparing for a multi-inning relief role for the remainder of the season once he returns from the 60-day injured list. He's been used out of the bullpen for each of his first three rehab appearances with Reno, covering four innings while striking out three and allowing one unearned run on two hits and no walks.

Abbott took a no-decision against the White Sox on Thursday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out three.

Four of the hits he allowed went for extra bases, and Abbott failed to settle down after giving up four runs in the first two innings. The left-hander was also unable to take advantage of the early 3-0 lead the Reds granted him, and he's now issued multiple walks in six consecutive starts. Abbott is set to bring a lackluster 4.13 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 102:64 K:BB over 133 innings into his next start versus the Cardinals in hitter-friendly Cincinnati.

The Giants transferred McDonald (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

McDonald is set to miss the rest of the season and most of 2027 after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery earlier this month, so the Giants will stash him away on the 60-day IL. The move frees up a 40-man spot for Shay Whitcomb, who was claimed off waivers from Houston on Thursday.

Cabrera (hamstring) struck out seven and allowed no hits and one walk over five innings Tuesday in a rehab start with Double-A Knoxville.

Cabrera now has three rehab starts under his belt and has been lights out between his last two outings at Knoxville and Triple-A Iowa, giving up just one unearned run on one hit while ringing up a 15:1 K:BB in nine innings. The right-hander built up to 64 pitches during Tuesday's outing, so the Cubs may want him to get a little bit more stretched out before re-entering the big-league rotation. Per MLB.com, manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that the Cubs are still weighing the next step for Cabrera, who would be operating with a restricted workload if he ends up making his next start in the majors.

Greene (elbow) will be out for 12-to-18 months after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds had previously disclosed that Greene would require another operation on his elbow, and he ended up needing a full Tommy John repair. The right-hander's first Tommy John surgery came back in 2019, and he also had a procedure on his elbow earlier this year to remove bone chips. Greene will be out through the end of the 2027 season.

Williamson (shoulder) allowed two hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings Tuesday in a rehab start for Triple-A Louisville.

Williamson got up to 31 pitches before rain came and spelled an early end to his night. The Reds were targeting 60 pitches for the left-hander, who eventually completed two up-and-downs in the bullpen to reach 65 pitches, per MLB.com. Williamson is in line to make at least one more rehab appearance for Louisville on Sunday.

Lauer (7-6) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out six over 6.1 innings to earn the win over the Royals on Wednesday.

Lauer was pummeled for six runs over four innings against the Cubs in his last start, but he bounced back with his third quality start in five outings since the beginning of July. The left-hander was able to contain the damage to the early frames, giving up one run in both the second and third innings before settling down in this 112-pitch (73 strikes) outing. For the year, Lauer has a 4.67 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 63:31 K:BB over 98.1 innings through 19 games (16 starts) between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays., but he's maintained a 3.48 ERA over his 62 innings with Los Angeles. His next start is projected to be at Colorado.

Junk (6-7) earned the win Wednesday against Pittsburgh, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out two over six innings.

Wednesday marked Junk's longest start since returning from a shin injury that cost him over a month earlier in the summer. Having worked only three innings due to a rain delay in his prior outing, Junk's arm was lively Wednesday, and he fired 56 of his 81 pitches for strikes. The right-hander now has a 3.83 ERA at home compared to a 5.35 road figure, and he lines up to make his next start against the Phillies next week.

Assad secured the save against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk in four innings. He struck out three.

After the Cubs built a 9-5 lead in the sixth inning, Assad closed it out for Chicago on Wednesday to help give other members of the bullpen a respite. The right-hander has a quality 3.59 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 53:21 K:BB with two saves in as many chances over 80.1 innings this season (10 starts), and he should remain a swingman as opposed to a consistent high-leverage option.

Leahy (9-4) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on six hits over five innings in a 7-1 victory over the Phillies. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander tossed 57 of 81 pitches for strikes as he outlasted opposing starter Zack Wheeler, who fell apart in the fifth inning. Leahy has given up two runs or fewer in an impressive nine straight starts, going 4-0 over that stretch while delivering a 1.52 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB over 47.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Cincinnati.