MLB Player News

Kerkering picked up the save in Monday's 4-1 win against the Reds, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

The Philadelphia righty smoothly collected his first save since June 19 in this 10-pitch outing. The Phillies' usual closer, Jhoan Duran, did not appear in Monday's contest after pitching consecutive games on Saturday and Sunday. Kerkering is likely the preferred backup saves option to Duran, as Jordan Romano pitched the seventh Monday (and collected the win) while David Robertson handled the eighth. Across 44.2 total innings, Kerkering sports a 2.62 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB while tallying three saves.

Clarke (hip) is nearing a return from the 10-day injured list, Jessica Kleinschmidt of Baseball America reports.

General manager David Forst didn't specify if Clarke, who landed on the 10-day injured list July 22 with a Grade 2 right adductor strain, would require a rehab assignment. However, Forst noted that Clarke "is close to going out and playing," per Kleinschmidt. A firm timetable for Clarke's return could come into focus over the next few days.

Abbott (8-3) took the loss Monday against Philadelphia, yielding three runs on six hits and no walks over 7.2 innings with six strikeouts

The Cincinnati southpaw was cruising through seven innings against a tough Phillies lineup but was pulled in the eighth after allowing three consecutive hits with two outs. Abbott tossed 104 total pitches, from which he generated an impressive 18 whiffs, to notch his seventh outing with six or more Ks this season. Through 115.1 total innings, the All-Star lefty has pitched to a 2.41 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 105:35 K:BB. Abbott currently lines up to make his next start at home against the Brewers this weekend.

Walker allowed one run on six hits and one walk over six frames while not factoring into the decision in Monday's 4-1 victory at Cincinnati. He struck out two.

The 32-year-old tallied his third quality start of the season in this 93-pitch performance. The lone blemish on Walker's outing was a run scored on a Gavin Lux single in the first inning. The Phillies right-hander has been impressive since rejoining the rotation July 8, producing a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB across 30.2 frames since that date. Despite the hot stretch, Walker is likely to return to the bullpen after Aaron Nola (ankle/rib) returns in Philadelphia's weekend road series at Washington. Walker is tentatively scheduled to make one more start in the weekend series against the Nationals before Nola is back.

McClanahan (triceps) underwent a surgical procedure on his left arm Monday, ending any chance of him returning in 2025, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

McClanahan has been sidelined for the entirety of the 2025 campaign to this point while working his way through a lingering nerve issue in his pitching arm. The left-hander was able to pitch in three minor-league rehab starts in July before he had a flare up of biceps discomfort, forcing him to pull back on his ramp up. McClanahan hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2023, but this procedure could have him ready for spring training in 2026.

Scott (elbow) could be cleared to face live hitters at some point next week, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers have yet to reveal a timetable for Scott's activation, but if all goes according to plan, he could take another step forward within the next week. The southpaw was placed on the 15-day injured list July 22 due to left elbow inflammation and looks to be trending toward a late-August return.

Kopech (knee) threw a live batting practice session Monday and could be sent on a rehab assignment soon, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It sounds like the team may wait a day or two to make sure Kopech made it out of Monday's live BP session without any setbacks before sending him on a rehab stint. The right-hander was originally placed on the 15-day injured list July 1 and then transferred to the 60-day IL due to a torn right meniscus, and he appears on track for a late-August return if all continues to go well in his rehab.

Wallner (personal) is expected to be activated from the paternity list Tuesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Wallner has been away from the team since Saturday while attending the birth of his child. The 27-year-old will likely return to his spot in the center of a Minnesota lineup that enters Monday winners of four of the last five games.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

The left-handed-hitting Sanchez started and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Sunday's 7-1 win while southpaw Max Fried toed the rubber for the Yankees, but Sanchez will take a seat Monday against Red Sox lefty Garrett Crochet. With Sanchez on the bench for the series opener, Mauricio Dubon will pick up a start in left field.

McCormick will start in center field and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Red Sox.

McCormick will pick up his third consecutive start and his second straight start against a left-handed pitcher (Garrett Crochet) after going 2-for-6 with two doubles and one walk in the final two contests of the Astros' weekend series versus the Yankees. The Astros appear to be treating the right-handed-hitting McCormick as a short-side platoon player, as the left-handed-hitting Taylor Trammell has typically seen most of the starts in center field against righties of late.