MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Kemp to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

The rookie had started just three of the last eight games, and since his playing-time outlook wasn't going to improve with Alec Bohm (rib) returning from the injured list Sunday, the Phillies opted to send Kemp back to the minors. After getting called up from Triple-A on June 7, the 25-year-old slashed .228/.298/.359 with four home runs, one stolen base, 17 RBI and 17 runs over 46 games.

Del Castillo went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's loss to Colorado.

Del Castillo made the most of his opportunities at altitude, notching his second three-RBI performance in the last week. The catcher has appeared in 20 games since being called up after the All-Star break, seeing most of his action at DH and batting .239 (16-for-67) with two homers and 10 RBI.

The Orioles transferred Eflin (back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

Eflin is out for the season after the Orioles confirmed that he would undergo back surgery during the upcoming week, so his move to the 60-day IL is merely procedural. The veteran right-hander is expected to face a 4-to-8 month recovery from surgery, so his availability for the start of the 2026 season is in question. The 31-year-old is set to become a free agent this winter.

The Phillies reinstated Bohm (rib) from the 10-day injured list, and he will start at third base and bat cleanup Sunday against the Nationals.

The third baseman has been on the shelf nearly a month due to a left rib fracture, but he's ready to rejoin the Phillies after going 3-for-21 over five minor-league rehab games. In 37 games since June 1, Bohm is batting .290 with three home runs, 21 RBI, 14 runs and a .749 OPS.

Vest tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Twins. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two.

Vest recorded the last out of the seventh inning and then worked the eighth against the top of Minnesota's order to earn his second hold of the season, with Kyle Finnegan covering the ninth for the save. Before Saturday, Vest had rattled off two straight saves, but Finnegan had three consecutive saves prior to that. It appears that both relievers will see ninth-inning work with Vest as the higher-leverage option, giving them each fantasy value but capping their respective ceilings. Vest still leads the Tigers with 18 saves in 23 opportunities.

Gurriel went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 10-7 loss to the Rockies.

Gurriel provided solid production, driving in three runs without the benefit of an extra-base hit. The left fielder has now posted a trio of three-RBI performances dating back to Aug. 9, and through 15 games this month he's batting .259 (15-for-58) with 17 of his 65 RBI on the season.

The Orioles optioned Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

After being claimed off waivers from the Giants on Monday, Johnson appeared in four games for Baltimore and went 2-for-14 with a walk, a stolen base and three runs. He'll give up his spot to Colton Cowser (concussion), who was reinstated from the 7-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Thompson (shoulder) is expected to throw to live hitters Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Thompson threw three bullpen sessions over the last week and is ready for the next step in the rehab process. With Arizona experiencing two spectacular bullpen meltdowns Friday and Saturday, manager Torey Lovullo may be tempted to use Thompson in a high-leverage role as soon as he's activated from the 15-day injured list.

Sweeney went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 8-5 win over the Twins.

Sweeney recorded his first multi-hit performance since May 12 and set a new season high in runs scored. It's been a bit of a struggle for the second-year shortstop, as he's batting just .206 overall with a .573 OPS. Sweeney spent some time with Triple-A Toledo until a recent call-up to the majors, but he's been getting regular work at shortstop while Javier Baez has been needed in center field.

The Phillies reinstated Nola (rib/ankle) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Sunday in Washington.

Nola will make his return to the rotation for the first time since mid-May, after he was initially placed on the IL due to a right ankle sprain before his stint on the shelf was prolonged by a stress fracture in his right rib. The veteran righty made enough progress in his recoveries from both injuries to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 1, and after accruing a 2.19 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB over 12.1 innings across three rehab starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he proved that he was ready to return. Nola tossed 84 pitches in his final rehab outing and should be capable of handling a typical workload Sunday in what looks to be a soft landing in his return, as he'll be taking on a Nationals squad that has posted a 90 wRC+ as a team since the All-Star break.