MLB Player News

Nelson will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley serve as the bulk reliever behind opener Matt Strahm in Sunday's game against the Mets, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Initial reports suggested Nelson would start Sunday's regular-season finale, but he'll instead work as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen, which sets him up better to pick up a win. The right-hander has yet to pitch at the big-league level in 2023 after posting a 4.35 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with a 75:42 K:BB across 97.1 frames with Lehigh Valley.

Strahm will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Mets, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Strahm will likely be asked to work the first inning or two before making way for Nick Nelson, who is expected to serve as a bulk reliever. After gathering three holds and a save over a stretch of seven appearances in which he didn't allow an earned run, Strahm surrendered two runs on three hits over one inning in his most recent relief outing Thursday against the Pirates.

The Phillies recalled Uelmen from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday and placed him on the 60-day injured list with a right flexor strain.

Uelman spent most of the season in Triple-A, though an undisclosed injury caused him to miss roughly three months. He was able to appear in one last game before the end of Lehigh Valley's season, but he'll now sacrifice his 40-man roster spot as he lands back on the 60-day IL. Michael Plassmeyer was selected from Triple-A in a corresponding move and will start the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader with the Mets.

The Phillies selected Plassmeyer from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Plassmeyer spent most of the season with Lehigh Valley, logging a 5.05 ERA and 1.47 WHIP while striking out 74 batters and walking 30 over the course of 67.2 innings. He's appeared in two major-league games in his career, though Saturday's nightcap will mark his first time starting an MLB contest. Luis Ortiz was optioned to the Phillies' Florida complex, and Erich Uelmen (undisclosed) was placed on the 60-day injured list to clear a space on the roster for Plassmeyer.

The Phillies optioned Ortiz to the Florida Complex League on Saturday.

Ortiz came up for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, and he will now be cast off the active roster after throwing a scoreless inning and striking out two batters in Game 1. Michael Plassmeyer was selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Nelson will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Sunday's game against the Mets, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The Phillies will be the fourth seed in the National League regardless of what happens over the weekend, but they're nonetheless tasked with recording 27 extra outs thanks to Saturday's doubleheader. The team is sensibly holding back its best arms for the postseason, so it will be the unheralded pair of Nelson and Michael Plassmeyer who make the final two starts of the regular season. Nelson owns a 5.38 ERA in 103.2 career major-league innings, none of which have come in 2023.

The Dodgers recalled Gonzalez from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Gonzalez will give the Dodgers additional bullpen depth to close out the season as Lance Lynn is away from the team on bereavement leave. Gonzalez holds a 4.13 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 32.2 innings in the majors this season.

The Cardinals optioned Woodford to the Florida Complex League on Saturday.

After giving up seven runs in 1.2 frames during his last start Friday, Woodford will be cast off the active roster in favor of James Naile, who will give the Cardinals additional bullpen depth for their final two games. Woodford will finish 2023 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.74 WHIP through 47.2 innings -- both sharp increases from his 2.23 ERA and 1.12 WHIP last season.

The Cardinals recalled Naile from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Naile will take the place of Jake Woodford, who was optioned to the Florida Complex League in a corresponding move. Naile was decent in the minors this season but has struggled mightily in the majors, surrendering 15 runs over 15.1 innings. He will likely be limited to low-leverage outings while with St. Louis.

The Brewers optioned Boushley to the Arizona Complex League on Saturday.

Boushley was selected to the active roster Friday and looked solid during his MLB debut, giving up one run while pitching the final 2.1 frames and striking out five batters en route to collecting his first big-league win. He'll continue to work at the Brewers' facility in Arizona and could rejoin the team should Milwaukee's bullpen take a hit during the postseason. Clayton Andrews was sent to Arizona alongside Boushley, and Eric Lauer and Trevor Megill (paternity) took their places on the active roster.