MLB Player News

Manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Walker will work out of the bullpen going forward, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

After surrendering six earned runs on 13 hits and a walk without recording a strikeout in six innings against the Astros on Wednesday, Walker has now officially lost his place in the Phillies' rotation. He'll serve as a long reliever as he joins Philly's bullpen, and the team will need to recall someone -- likely Tyler Phillips -- from Triple-A to fill the open rotation spot, which is due to pitch in Toronto on Tuesday.

Kochanowicz (2-4) earned the victory Thursday, allowing five hits and no walks over six scoreless innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

Kochanowicz was great over six scoreless innings on Thursday, and it's the first time through six MLB outings he's kept an opponent off the scoreboard. Kochanowicz allowed 12 runs in his first two starts but has pitched much better of late, giving up seven runs combined over his last four starts. The rookie right-hander has a 2.45 ERA in those four starts but only has seven strikeouts over 25.2 innings.

Montero (4-6) took the loss Thursday against the Angels, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

Montero entered Thursday's game with a 3-0 record and 3.00 ERA over his last four starts, but he was bested by the Angels. Montero still managed to get through five innings, and he has now gone 11 straight starts pitching five or more innings. The right-hander has a 5.17 ERA over 69.2 innings in his rookie campaign.

Aldegheri will be called up from Double-A Rocket City to make his major-league debut Friday against the Mariners, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Aldegheri was acquired from the Phillies at the trade deadline in the deal that sent reliever Carlos Estevez to Philadelphia. The promotion is an aggressive one for the left-hander, who has made just six starts at the Double-A level, but he has recorded 134 strikeouts over 95.1 innings between High-A and Double-A in 2024. Aldegheri will presumably get a chance to make additional starts with the Angels if he pitches well in his MLB debut.

The Angels will call up Dana from Double-A Rocket City to start Sunday's game against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Regarded as the best pitching prospect in the Angels' farm system, Dana will skip the Triple-A level to make his MLB debut against a weak Mariners offense that ranks 29th in the majors with a .666 OPS on the season. The 20-year-old righty owns a 2.59 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through 23 starts with Rocket City this season, and he leads all Double-A pitchers with 147 strikeouts through 135.2 innings. It's unclear if he'll remain in the Angels rotation past Sunday, though a strong outing against Seattle would certainly improve his chances.

Kelly cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Kelly was claimed off waivers from Texas in July, and he'll now lose his 40-man roster spot after giving up six earned runs in just 2.1 innings with Albuquerque. The 24-year-old owns a gaudy 11.09 ERA and 2.68 WHIP through 18.2 innings at the Triple-A level, making it unlikely he receives a promotion to the majors anytime soon.

Woodruff (shoulder) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

It's the first time the veteran right-hander has throw from the bump since he underwent shoulder surgery last October. Woodruff is scheduled for another bullpen session on Friday or Saturday as he slowly ramps up his throwing program. He won't be available in 2024 even if the Brewers make a deep postseason run, but the hope is that Woodruff will be ready to go for spring training.

Hall has joined the Brewers in Milwaukee and could be recalled from Triple-A Nashville to start or serve as a bulk reliever in the second game of Friday's doubleheader in Cincinnati, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Hall made a spot start earlier this month against the Reds, allowing three runs (one earned) while striking out nine over 4.2 frames. The left-hander would likely be added as the 27th man Friday and then be returned to Triple-A immediately following the twin bill. Colin Rea is scheduled to start Friday's matinee for Milwaukee.

The Rangers optioned Leiter to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Because the Rangers and White Sox essentially played a doubleheader Wednesday after Tuesday's series opener was suspended in the first inning, both teams were allotted a 27th man. Leiter was called up from Round Rock to serve as the Rangers' 27th man, and he drew the start for the second contest of the day, working four innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and no walks while striking out four in a no-decision. Though he'll be headed back to Round Rock a day later, the Rangers have only four healthy starters at the moment, so Leiter could be a candidate to get recalled when a fifth starter is next needed during the upcoming week. Leiter has struggled mightily through his first four big-league starts (12.83 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, 11:8 K:BB in 13.1 innings), but he recorded 20 strikeouts over 9.1 innings in his most recent two starts at Triple-A to earn his latest call-up. The Rangers may want to get a longer look at the right-hander in the majors in September and give him the chance to stake a claim to a more permanent rotation spot in 2025.

Littell (shoulder) threw a simulated game Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Manager Kevin Cash confirmed that Littell will not go on a rehab assignment. Assuming Littell's progress continues, he is expected to return to the rotation during the Rays' upcoming homestand, beginning Aug. 30 and ending Sept. 5.