MLB Player News

Bowlan was diagnosed with a mild right groin strain Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Although Bowlan was diagnosed with a strain, the Phillies will hold off on placing him on the IL because they believe he will be able to return before the end of the season. When healthy, the 29-year-old has been one of the most reliable members of Philadelphia's bullpen, posting a 3.36 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 56.1 innings.

The Dodgers optioned Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Knack was recalled Thursday and went on to log four shutout innings against Cincinnati in the series finale. The 28-year-old will head back to Oklahoma, where he sports a 2.08 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB over 34.2 innings this season. His major-league stint will come to an end with Edwin Diaz (neck) being activated from the 15-day injured list.

The Dodgers activated Diaz (neck) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Diaz has been officially cleared to return from his neck injury. The veteran reliever will serve in low-leverage situations upon his return and is unlikely to see many save opportunities unless favored closer Tanner Scott is unavailable. Across five rehab outings, Diaz allowed six runs on four hits and seven walks while striking out four across 4.1 innings.

Mayza will serve as the opener for the Phillies in Friday's game against the Mets, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Mayza will likely handle the first inning before Jose Urquidy takes over in bulk relief. The left-hander has been excellent this season when used as an opener, allowing just one run with a 10:1 K:BB over 9.1 frames.

The Phillies optioned Backhus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

He's clearing off the active roster to make space for waiver claim Jose Urquidy. Backhus had been recalled earlier this week and did not make an appearance during his most recent stint in the majors.

The Brewers recalled Gordon from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

The Brewers needed a fresh relief arm after their bullpen was needed for 6.1 innings in Thursday's loss to the Pirates. Gordon will be on five days' rest after throwing 5.2 innings and 97 pitches in a start for Nashville last Saturday, so he'll be available for plenty of length, if needed.

The Brewers optioned Stallings to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Stallings fanned six over three shutout innings in Thursday's loss to the Pirates. Because he wouldn't have been available to pitch for at least a day or two, the Brewers are replacing him on the roster with a fresh bullpen arm.

The Reds placed Garcia on the 15-day injured list Friday with loose bodies in his right elbow.

Per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati, Garcia will undergo surgery, which shouldn't affect his readiness for spring training. The 31-year-old has had a nice rookie season out of the Reds' bullpen, logging a 3.13 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 41:19 K:BB over 46 frames.

Duran struck out two while allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Mets.

That gives Duran a save on back-to-back days. The star closer's last blown save came July 27 in Miami, and he's recorded at least one punchout in seven consecutive appearances and 10 of his last 11. Duran sports a 1.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 79:9 K:BB over 56.1 innings this year, piling up 32 saves (34 chances) to match his career high.

Bowlan was removed from Thursday's contest against the Mets with right groin tightness, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Bowlan recorded two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning before he was forced to leave the game with groin discomfort. The right-hander can be considered day-to-day for the time being and will likely undergo additional imaging in the near future.