MLB Player News

Phillips will enter Friday's game versus the Rays at some point after starting pitcher Ryan Gusto, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Each of Phillips' last two appearances were traditional starts, but he'll come out of the bullpen Friday. The right-hander went five innings and threw 72 pitches his last time out, so he'll likely provide length Friday in what could be a piggyback start with Gusto.

The Diamondbacks recalled Strowd from Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Strowd has spent the entire season at Triple-A, turning in a 4.95 ERA and 1.80 WHIP with a 19:16 K:BB through 20 innings. He'll now be summoned to the major-league roster to help replace Brandon Pfaadt and Taylor Clarke (bereavement), though Strowd will likely be limited to low-leverage opportunities with the big club.

Gusto will start Friday's game against the Rays, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Tyler Phillips is also expected to pitch in what could be a piggyback start for the Marlins. Gusto threw just two innings and allowed three runs in a relief outing Tuesday versus the Nationals in his first big-league appearance this season. However, while he will be pitching on just two days' rest Friday after tossing 40 pitches Tuesday, Gusto had lasted five-plus innings in five of his last seven outings for Triple-A Jacksonville prior to his promotion, so he's capable of pitching deeper into games than he did Tuesday.

The Diamondbacks placed Clarke on the bereavement list Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Clarke will miss between three and seven games while he tends to personal matters. With Brandon Pfaadt also on the move to Triple-A Reno, Kade Strowd and Philip Abner will come up from the minors to round out Arizona's bullpen.

The Diamondbacks optioned Pfaadt to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Pfaadt could be stretched out into a starter in the near future, and his demotion to Triple-A suggests that the D-backs are already putting that plan into motion. While the 27-year-old works on building up his workload, Kade Strowd and Philip Abner will come up from Reno to fill the open spots in Arizona's bullpen.

Roupp (back) threw a bullpen session Thursday and is on track to make his next scheduled start Saturday against the Cubs, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Roupp pitched through back discomfort in his previous start Monday in Milwaukee, but he's recovered well enough to avoid missing a turn in the rotation. The right-hander has accrued a 4.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 72:27 K:BB over 64 innings covering 12 starts this season.

Ortiz isn't expected to get promoted to the Nationals' big-league roster before at least the All-Star break, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Acquired from the Rangers this offseason as part of the MacKenzie Gore trade, Ortiz is tearing up Triple-A right now, hitting safely in 10 straight games with a .381/.438/.952 slash line, seven homers and 23 RBI over that stretch. The Nationals could use some left-handed power on their bench, but they prefer to let the 24-year-old first baseman continue to get regular playing time rather than bringing him up in a reserve role.

Benge went 1-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Mariners.

The rookie outfielder pulled off a successful double steal with Juan Soto in the fourth inning, with Benge scampering home when Jhonny Pereda tried to throw Soto out at second base. It was Benge's 10th stolen base of the season in 59 games, to go along with a .252/.317/.381 slash line, six homers, 24 RBI and 31 runs.

Crow is slated to start Thursday's game against the Giants at American Family Field.

Crow will be awarded a second straight turn through the rotation after he took a no-decision in a four-inning start versus the Astros last Friday following his promotion from Triple-A Nashville. The 25-year-old righty has made three starts thus over three separate stints with Milwaukee, pitching to a 3.14 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB in 14.1 innings.

Ewing went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Mariners.

The rookie center fielder produced the first three-hit performance of his brief MLB career. Ewing is showing flashes of his talent, but he's still adjusting to big-league pitching -- over the last 10 games he's slashing .256/.275/.282 with just one extra-base hit, a double, and a 1:13 BB:K.