MLB Player News

The Rockies acquired Vodnik and right-hander Tanner Gordon from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for right-hander Pierce Johnson, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Vodnik immediately becomes one of the top reliever prospects in the Rockies' farm system, and while the move to Colorado probably lowers his fantasy ceiling when he ultimately reaches the majors, he likely won't have to wait as long for his first big-league call-up. The 23-year-old right-hander has spent the entire season at Double-A Mississippi, converting all four of his save chances while compiling a 3.10 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 56:25 K:BB in 40.2 innings.

Atlanta acquired Johnson from the Rockies on Monday in exchange for Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Johnson has offered a mixed bag for the Rockies this season, posting a 6.00 ERA and 1.85 WHIP but also striking out 58 batters across 39 relief innings. The 32-year-old boasts an 11.3 K/9 rate for his career, and clearly Atlanta wanted some of that swing-and-miss ability for their bullpen. Johnson should operate as part of the bridge to closer Raisel Iglesias.

Hernandez (1-0) picked up the win during Sunday's victory over the Brewers, allowing one hit and striking out three in a scoreless inning of relief.

Making his big-league debut in the seventh inning, Hernandez flashed overpowering stuff with a fastball that topped out at 97.3 mph and a nasty slider that he used to carve up the bottom of Milwaukee's batting order. The right-hander hadn't allowed a run since May 3 for Triple-A Gwinnett prior to his promotion, posting a 29:5 K:BB in 17.2 innings during that shutout streak, and while he's no threat to take the closer job away from Raisel Iglesias, Hernandez could quickly work his way into a high-leverage role for Atlanta.

Lambert is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Nationals in Washington.

The Rockies have been short on reliable starting pitching nearly all season, so it comes as little surprise that Lambert will get another turn through the rotation after he dazzled in his return from Triple-A Albuquerque over the weekend. Prior to being recalled Friday, Lambert had worked in a multi-inning relief role with Colorado earlier in the season, but he looks like he'll get a chance to make regular starts with the big club now that he's had a chance to get fully stretched out in the minors. While facing off against Miami last weekend, Lambert held the Marlins scoreless over five innings while striking out three and allowing just four baserunners. The matchup with a Washington offense that has been a bottom-third unit in terms of wRC+ (95, 22nd in the majors) is a favorable one on paper for Lambert, though Nationals Park has historically skewed hitter-friendly.

Bird is scheduled to serve as the Rockies' starting pitcher Monday in Washington in what is expected to be a bullpen day, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Bird tossed a 12-pitch inning Saturday and hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance since late April, so he's unlikely to work more than once through the Nationals batting order before bowing out of the contest. The Rockies haven't designated a primary pitcher to work behind Bird, but Triple-A Albuquerque starter Karl Kauffmann is on the taxi squad and could be activated ahead of Monday's contest to give Colorado some added length out of the bullpen.

Puk blew the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rockies. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.

Puk surrendered a game-tying solo homer to Randal Grichuk in the ninth inning, marking Puk's fifth blown save of 2023 and his third in his last four opportunities. Though manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Puk would remain the Marlins' closer for the time being. Sunday's blown save could be enough for Schumaker to try out other options at closer. If that were to be the case, Tanner Scott would likely be the first in line for save opportunities considering his recent success and overall 2.81 ERA through 48 innings.

Blach did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two hits over three scoreless innings in a 3-2 loss to Miami. He struck out two.

Blach made his first start of the campaign Sunday, serving as the opening arm for a bullpen game. Despite donning the opener tag, Blach went three innings and turned in his third consecutive scoreless outing (six innings). Though Blach has spent a significant portion of 2023 in the minors, he owns a 5.51 ERA and a 7:2 K:BB through eight appearances (16.1 innings) at the MLB level.

Kimbrel (6-1) blew the save but picked up the win Sunday against the Guardians. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out one over one inning.

KImbrel took the mound with a 4-3 advantage in the bottom of the ninth but was unable to secure his 17th save of the season after allowing a solo homer to David Fry. The outing marked Kimbrel's first blown save of the season, first run surrendered since June 8 (16 appearances) and first long ball allowed since May 31.

The Cubs announced Sunday that Hughes (knee) has resumed playing catch, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hughes is in the early phase of his throwing program as he works his way back from the left knee alignment surgery he underwent in late June. Since he opted for a debridement procedure rather than a reconstructive one, Hughes will have a chance to pitch again in 2023, though his return from the 60-day injured list shouldn't be viewed as imminent. A target date for when Hughes might be activated likely won't emerge until he's facing hitters again.

Boxberger (forearm) is expected to begin throwing bullpen sessions during the upcoming week, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Boxberger started his throwing program at the Cubs' spring training facility in Arizona earlier this month and has been in the process of gradually stretching out his long-toss distance off flat ground over the past three weeks. He now looks like he's ready to move on to the next phase of his rehab by stepping back on the mound. After a week of throwing off the mound, Boxberger could then be cleared to face hitters in live batting practice before he heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Boxberger has been on the shelf since May 15 with a strained right forearm.