MLB Player News

Atlanta designated Lara for assignment Wednesday.

Lara was a roster casualty with Atlanta needing to clear a 40-man spot for first baseman/designated hitter Rowdy Tellez, who was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. A 23-year-old righty, Lara was up with Atlanta for a brief spell last September but didn't get the chance to make his big-league debut. He had pitched exclusively for Double-A Columbus thus far in 2026, logging an 8.22 ERA, 2.65 WHIP and 21:29 K:BB in 15.1 innings.

Koenig (elbow) transferred his rehab assignment to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday and could be activated from the injured list in about a week, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The left-hander landed on the shelf with an elbow sprain in early April and has allowed one run on six hits with a 2:4 K:BB across 4.2 frames in five rehab appearances. The Brewers will likely look to pitch Koenig on back-to-back days at Nashville before reinstating him from the IL.

The Reds recalled Petty from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Petty will give the bullpen some length after the Reds needed to use six relievers in Tuesday's extra-innings victory over the Padres. The righty has made two starts for Cincinnati this season, yielding seven runs with a 2:3 K:BB over 10.2 innings.

The Red Sox recalled Bennett from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Bennett will make a start against the Rays on Wednesday at Tropicana Field. The left-hander yielded five earned runs on 11 hits with a 4:4 K:BB in two starts with the Red Sox last month and boasts a 1.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB in 42.1 innings over 10 starts for Worcester. Bennett could get an opportunity to stick in the rotation for a while until Garrett Crochet (lat) is ready.

Atlanta recalled Ritchie from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Ritchie had an up-and-down first stint in the majors, posting a 4.91 ERA and 21:16 K:BB over 25.2 innings in his five starts. It appears he will operate in a relief role this time around, providing the team with a bullpen arm capable of covering multiple innings.

Skenes didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 12-3 loss to the Dodgers, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

The 24-year-old ace tossed 103 pitches (62 strikes) en route to his first quality start since May 12 and his sixth of the season, but Skenes left the mound with the score tied 2-2 before watching the Pirates' bullpen implode in a 10-run seventh inning for the Dodgers. Skenes will take a 2.84 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 89:15 K:BB through 76 innings into his next outing, which is set to come at home this weekend against the Marlins.

Lauer didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 12-3 rout of the Pirates, allowing two runs on three hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

Back-to-back solo homers by Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O'Hearn in the first inning put Lauer in danger of getting a quick hook, but the veteran southpaw kept his focus and stuck around until finally leaving the mound after 89 pitches (64 strikes) just shy of his second quality start of the season. Lauer has been outstanding since being scooped up by the Dodgers following a rough beginning to the year with the Blue Jays, delivering a 2.76 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 16.1 innings over three starts. As long as he remains effective, he'll give Los Angeles little reason to promote a prospect like River Ryan, but Lauer's leash is likely short. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Rays.

The Red Sox will recall Bennett from Triple-A Worcester to start Wednesday's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field, Andrew Mahoney of The Boston Globe reports.

As anticipated, Bennett will be stepping into the rotation spot vacated by Brayan Bello, who was optioned to Triple-A last week. Though he reached five innings in both of his first two big-league starts back in early May against the Astros and Rays, Bennett yielded five earned runs on 11 hits and four walks while striking out four across 10.1 frames. However, the 25-year-old lefty has performed as one of the top pitchers in the International League this season, running up a 1.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB in 42.1 innings over 10 starts for Worcester. With Bello now in the minors and Garrett Crochet (lat) weeks away from a return from the injured list, Bennett could have a pathway to an extended run in the big-league rotation if his performance warrants it.

Melton (3-0) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up four runs on eight hits over five innings in a 10-4 victory over the Twins. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The lack of free passes saved Melton's bacon, as he served up four solo homers on a night when the ball was flying out of Comerica Park. The right-hander has more than held his own in four starts since coming off the IL for his season debut in late May, posting a 2.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 25.2 innings, but with Tarik Skubal (elbow), Casey Mize (thigh) and Justin Verlander (hip) all on track to make their own returns over the next week or so, Melton's spot in the rotation is far from secure. The 25-year-old does appear set to make at least one more start for the Tigers, on the road early next week in Houston.

Woodruff (shoulder) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings in his first rehab start with the Brewers' Arizona Complex League affiliate Tuesday.

The bottom-line results aren't what you want, but Woodruff did strike out five and got his pitch count up to 68. Per Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com, Woodruff averaged a shade under 91 mph between his four-seamer and sinker, which is down from his season average of 92.2 mph but up significantly from the mid-80s he was throwing in his final start before going on the injured list in late April. Woodruff is working on a lower arm slot, and he might need a couple more rehab outings to get comfortable before he rejoins the Milwaukee rotation.