MLB Player News

The Marlins optioned Brzykcy to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Brzykcy made just one appearance after being called up from Triple-A on June 30, giving up one earned run on one hit and two walks while fanning two batters across two innings. He'll now head back to Jacksonville to help make room on the active roster for Janson Junk (shin), who returned from the injured list Thursday, and Ryan Gusto, who was recalled from Triple-A.

The Marlins activated Junk (shin) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Junk will rejoin the Marlins' rotation with a start Thursday against the Mariners after being sidelined since late May with right shin bone inflammation. The right-hander made two rehab starts and threw 61 pitches in his last outing, so he's unlikely to shoulder a full workload versus Seattle.

The Giants optioned Walker to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Walker had been torched for 11 runs across his last 6.1 innings, resulting in the former closer's second demotion to the minors this season. His roster spot will be taken by Carson Whisenhunt, who will be the starting pitcher for Thursday's contest versus the Rockies.

The Giants recalled Whisenhunt from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Whisenhunt will start Thursday's game at Oracle Park against the Rockies. While the intention seems to be for it to be merely a spot start, Whisenhunt might tempt the Giants to keep him around if he pitches well. The lefty permitted two runs and struck out two over five innings in his lone start for San Francisco earlier this season, and he's collected a 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 82:37 K:BB over 77.1 innings in 2026 at Sacramento.

Vientos was removed from Thursday's game against Kansas City after getting hit on the hand by a pitch, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.

Vientos ran for himself after taking a 92-mph sinker off his right hand in the bottom of the second inning, but he was replaced on defense when the Mets took the field in the third. He'll presumably be sent in for X-rays to determine whether he suffered a fracture, and an update on his status will likely come in the near future.

Littell will operate as a bulk reliever for the Nationals in Friday's game versus the Yankees, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Lefty Carson Palmquist will get the ball first as the Nationals' opening pitcher, but he'll likely work just an inning or two before giving way to Littell. Littell has made 12 starts and six bulk-relief appearances this season and has fared much better in the latter role, holding a 3.03 ERA and 17:7 K:BB over 29.2 innings.

Palmquist will serve as the Nationals' opening pitcher in Friday's game against the Yankees, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Zack Littell is poised to absorb most of the workload in bulk relief, but Palmquist will take the ball first. The left-hander has made four appearances for the Nationals, allowing five runs with a 7:2 K:BB over 6.1 innings.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said on KNBR 680 that Walker will be optioned to Triple-A Sacramento prior to Thursday's contest versus the Rockies.

He'll clear off the roster to make a spot for Carson Whisenhunt, who is slated to make a spot start Thursday. Walker was unscored upon in his first five appearances after returning from a stint in the minors, but the former closer has since allowed 11 runs across his last 6.1 innings.

Giants manager Tony Vitello confirmed on KNBR 680 that Whisenhunt will be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to start Thursday's game against the Rockies.

The left-hander is making a spot start as the Giants look to get their regular rotation members some extra rest. Whisenhunt allowed two runs and struck out two over five innings in his lone start for San Francisco earlier this season, and he holds a 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 82:37 K:BB over 77.1 innings in 2026 at Sacramento.

Polanco is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Polanco will take a seat for Thursday's matinee after he went a combined 2-for-8 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run while serving as the Mets' designated hitter in the first two games of the series following his return from the injured list. Francisco Alvarez will replace Polanco as New York's DH in the series finale.