MLB Player News

Early (elbow) will make an appearance in a bridge game Tuesday at the Nationals' spring training complex in Florida, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Though it will not go down as an official appearance, Early will be pitching in a game for the first time since he went down with left elbow inflammation in early July. It's unclear how many pitches Early is scheduled to throw Tuesday, but he will likely require at least one additional rehab start before joining the big-league rotation. Early was acquired from the Red Sox at the trade deadline and will be making his Nationals debut when he gets into a game.

Luzardo (14-5) notched the win against Atlanta on Monday, allowing two hits and one walk in nine scoreless innings. He struck out 12.

Luzardo outdueled Grant Holmes in Monday's 1-0 victory, pitching both his first career complete game and shutout. The southpaw has been rolling on the hill since the onset of August, throwing at least 5.2 innings while yielding two runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts. He's set to finish a two-start week over the weekend in Atlanta while carrying a 2.87 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 221:52 K:BB over 178.2 innings for the season.

Holmes took a no-decision against the Phillies on Monday, allowing three hits and two walks in six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Holmes looked sharp Monday, blanking a potent Philadelphia lineup over six frames. The six strikeouts were the right-hander's most since May 23 versus the Nationals, and he's now turned in five scoreless starts in his last seven since the beginning of August. He's in line to wrap up a two-start week in a home rematch with the Phillies this weekend, holding a 3.46 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 110:57 K:BB over 137.2 innings for the season.

Miami announced Monday that Meyer (neck/rib) has resumed a throwing program, Craig Mish of Marlins.tv reports.

Meyer has finally been cleared for a throwing progression after being out for the past seven weeks due to a neck strain and more recently rib discomfort. The right-hander almost surely doesn't have enough time to get ramped back up to return as a starting pitcher, but it's possible the Marlins will activate Meyer to pitch in relief later this month if all goes well with his throwing program.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that Harrison is scheduled to start Saturday against the Reds, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

After Harrison struggled again in Sunday's loss to the Reds, Murphy noted after the contest that a role change for the left-hander was on the table. Harrison will get another start this weekend, though Murphy indicated the leash would be short and the club would likely have a long man ready in the bullpen just in case. The owner of a 6.15 ERA over his last eight starts, Harrison has lasted just 3.2 innings in each of his last two outings.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Elder will temporarily move to the bullpen, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

With Reynaldo Lopez (knee) returning from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday against the Rays, Atlanta will shift Elder to the bullpen to keep its six-man rotation intact. While Elder has turned in a serviceable 4.11 ERA over 26 starts on the season, he's been tagged for 16 runs on 30 hits -- including five home runs -- and seven walks over his last four outings. Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Weiss noted that Elder has been managing a knee issue of late, so the short-term move to the bullpen will lighten his workload and limit the strain on his body. The skipper added that Elder could make a start during Atlanta's three-game road series versus the Cubs next week, though it's unclear who would come out of the rotation to open up a spot for the right-hander.

Ritchie allowed two runs on four hits and a walk over 6.2 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday while striking out a career-high 15 batters.

The 23-year-old right-hander set a new franchise Ks record for Gwinnett, breaking the mark of 13 previously set by Bryse Wilson in 2018 and tied by Spencer Strider in a 2025 rehab start. Ritchie was demoted in early August, but he's making a case to rejoin Atlanta's big-league roster for the stretch run. Over five starts since getting sent down, he's produced a 2.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 35:13 K:BB over 27.2 innings while lasting at least five innings in each outing.

The Brewers recalled Sproat from Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

He'll join the 28-man active roster as a replacement in the bullpen for Grant Anderson (biceps), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Sproat has primarily operated as a starter between stops with Milwaukee and Nashville this season, but he made his most recent Triple-A appearance as a reliever. The 25-year-old has posted a 5.27 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 100:48 K:BB over 95.2 innings with the big club in 2026.

The Mets optioned Hagenman to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

Hagenman had spent all season on the injured list while recovering from a fractured rib before he was activated last Wednesday. The 29-year-old righty made two appearances (one start) during his abbreviated stay with the Mets, giving up two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two batters across four innings. He'll give up his spot on the 28-man active roster to right-hander Jonah Tong, who was recalled from Triple-A ahead of his start Monday in Miami.

Alvarez allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks over 4.1 innings Sunday against the Dodgers. He did not factor into the decision.

The Nationals held a 4-1 lead heading into the fifth inning, but the southpaw was pulled with one out after giving up a run on a single and a double. Reliever Brad Lord then allowed the inherited runner plus a runner of his own to score, tying the game. Alvarez issued at least two walks for a fourth straight outing and threw just 48 of 78 pitches for strikes Sunday while generating only five whiffs. He remains winless in his past 11 appearances and has a 4.03 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 43:27 K:BB across 53.2 innings during that span. A home matchup versus the Angels likely awaits him next weekend.