MLB Player News

Diaz allowed one run on two hits over one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Mariners.

Diaz returned from an elbow surgery Wednesday, but he showed a little rust. He threw nine of 13 pitches for strikes and was able to lock down the save. The Dodgers clearly want Diaz to take the reins for closing duties, but they're not lacking in alternatives if he can't keep runs off the board. He's pitched to a 10.29 ERA and 10:5 K:BB through seven innings while converting five of six saves this season. If the Dodgers manage Diaz's workload, Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia would be the top options to see some ancillary save chances -- both pitched Wednesday in setup roles.

Miller earned the save in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Rockies, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Miller has now turned in 10 straight scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out 19 in that span. The star closer is a perfect 28-for-28 in save chances this season while posting a minuscule 0.79 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 85:15 K:BB across 45.2 innings.

Pannone (0-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Giants, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out two.

Making his first appearance in the majors since 2023, Pannone got through the first inning unscathed before giving up a three-run homer to Daniel Susac in the second. Following Wednesday's spot start, the left-handed Pannone figures to head back to Triple-A Nashville, where he's posted a 3.96 ERA across 75 innings this season.

Thornton (3-4) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk while retiring only one batter to blow the save and take the loss Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Thornton got the bottom of the 10th inning staked to a 2-0 lead thanks to a Pete Crow-Armstrong home run. The righty started the frame by allowing a soft single to Lars Nootbaar, and things quickly unraveled from there, culminating in a walk-off, two-run double by Ivan Herrera. This was just the second time in his last nine appearances that Thornton has been scored on, and the veteran still has a solid 3.03 ERA across 32.2 innings overall.

The Dodgers activated Diaz (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Diaz has been on the shelf since April 20 after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. He was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment right before the All-Star break, and across seven minor-league games he allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 5.2 innings. The Dodgers should ease Diaz back into the fold, but if all goes well, the veteran right-hander could reclaim the closer role from Tanner Scott in the near future.

Keller underwent right elbow UCL reconstruction surgery with internal brace and flexor tendon repair Tuesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Keller was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow just after the All-Star break and has now officially gone under the knife. He's expected to be sidelined 13-to-16 months from Tuesday's surgery, so the earliest that he could return to action will be late in the 2027 season, though it's more likely that he'll be aiming toward being fully healthy for the start of the 2028 campaign. Keller will finish the 2026 regular season with a 4.02 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 13 holds, three saves and a 32:13 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Barco could be used as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Yohan Ramirez in Thursday's game in Cincinnati, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

The Pirates recalled Barco from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, but he went unused in relief during the team's 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. With Ramirez likely to be limited to one or two innings Thursday in his first big-league start, Barco will be the freshest arm in the Pittsburgh bullpen and is one of the few options who's capable of covering multiple frames. Barco has handled a swingman role at Triple-A for most of the season, posting a 4.87 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 49:23 K:BB in 44.1 innings.

Treinen (elbow) will face live hitters Wednesday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Treinen landed on the injured list in late June due to right elbow inflammation, but the good news was that an MRI did not show signs of structural damage. He was cleared to play catch before the All-Star break and is ready to take the next step in his rehab by throwing off a mound. The Dodgers should have a better sense of Treinen's recovery timeline once the veteran right-hander is cleared to embark on a rehab assignment.

The Cubs selected Woodford's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

Woodford elected to enter free agency July 17 after being DFA'd by the Cubs six days earlier, but he opted to remain in the organization on a minor-league contract. He's now back with the big club, with the Cubs designating Andrew Wantz for assignment in a corresponding move. Woodford has appeared in 17 games between the Cubs and Brewers this season and has a 7.46 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across 25.1 innings.

Fairbanks recorded his 15th save Wednesday against the Phillies, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Fairbanks entered the ninth with a two-run lead and retired the side in order on 13 pitches (10 strikes) to secure his 15th save of the season. The veteran closer has now converted saves in consecutive appearances and has recorded at least one strikeout in nine of his last 10 outings. Despite the swing-and-miss upside he's shown, Fairbanks has allowed eight runs (seven earned) across 9.1 innings during that 10-appearance stretch and still has an ugly 6.96 ERA over 36 appearances this year.