MLB Player News

McLean (8-7) earned the win against the Guardians on Thursday, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out eight.

McLean certainly wasn't in peak form Thursday, but the Mets gave him plenty of run support to get the hurler credited with the win. It was a rare misstep for the right-hander, who entered Thursday on an outstanding six-start streak with at least six innings while conceding two runs or fewer. McLean will bring what's still an excellent 3.51 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 156:48 K:BB over 130.2 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Atlanta.

Mlodzinski will start Friday's game against the Mets, Jose Negron of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Mlodzinski is getting another opportunity to start for the Pirates after Mitch Keller (arm) went down with a season-ending injury. Although each of Mlodzinski's last 14 appearances have come in relief, he has covered multiple innings in all of those outings, including going three shutout frames in each of his last two trips to the hill. He threw 47 pitches in his last appearance Aug. 1, so Mlodzinski should be handle around 60 pitches Friday.

The Cardinals outrighted Hence to the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Thursday.

It's a bit of a surprise that the former top prospect passed through waivers unclaimed, even after holding a 6.64 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through 20.1 innings this season at Triple-A Memphis. Hence is likely being sent to the FCL in order to work on his mechanics in a less pressurized setting.

Ray is listed as the Padres' probable pitcher for Friday's game against the Astros in Houston.

Ray will be taking the hill on seven days' rest as he makes his debut for the Padres, who acquired him Monday in a deal that sent right-hander Miguel Mendez and shortstop Joniel Hernandez to the Giants. The 34-year-old southpaw was one of two additions to the rotation at the deadline, as the Padres also brought aboard Casey Mize from the Tigers. Ray will look to aid the Friars' playoff push over the next seven and a half weeks before heading into free agency this winter.

The Cardinals claimed Pereira off waivers from the White Sox on Thursday.

He's out of minor-league options, so Pereira will report directly to the big club. Pereira has slashed .225/.284/.438 with four home runs and a 5:30 BB:K across 88 plate appearances in the big leagues this season. The 25-year-old is sporting a .790 OPS against left-handed pitching and could slot into a short-side platoon role in center field with Nathan Church.

The Nationals paused Early's (elbow) throwing program Thursday after he felt forearm tightness during his latest live BP session, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.

Early has been sidelined by elbow inflammation since the beginning of July. He was aiming to return from the IL to make his Nationals debut sometime in late August, but the latest setback is likely to extend his time on the shelf. Manager Blake Butera noted that the left-hander's forearm issue isn't too concerning, per Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com, but the team is still going to be "ultra cautious" with Early going forward and give him some time off to rest before reevaluating and determining next steps.

Albies isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Albies went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Wednesday, snapping what had been a six-game hitting streak, and he'll now get a rare day off during Thursday's series finale. Mauricio Dubon will fill in at second base while Albies sits, putting Mike Yastrzemski in left field and allowing Dominic Smith to serve as the DH.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said Thursday that Hill (shoulder) could be "ready to go" off the bench in Thursday's game versus the Nationals, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Hill was removed from Wednesday's contest after slamming hard into the outfield wall while trying to make a catch. He remains sore, but Hill might be available off the bench for Thursday's series finale.

Hernandez re-signed Tuesday with Atlanta on a minor-league contract.

Hernandez elected free agency earlier in the week after being removed from Atlanta's 40-man roster and clearing waivers, but he quickly found his way back to the organization. The right-hander saw his first big-league action since 2024 back in July, making two appearances out of the Atlanta bullpen and giving up one earned run across six innings.

An MRI on Painter's left hamstring came back clean, and he is expected to make his next start Monday in St. Louis, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Painter had to be lifted from Wednesday's start versus the Nationals after four innings when his left hamstring tightened up on him. His removal was seen as a precaution, however, and the rookie hurler won't miss a turn as long as he gets through his normal between-starts bullpen session without any hiccups.