MLB Player News

Leiter earned a save against the Mets on Wednesday with a perfect inning during which he struck out one batter.

Leiter had been struggling a bit coming into this week, allowing three runs (two earned) over his previous three appearances. He got five days off before striking out two and notching a hold over 1.1 perfect innings Tuesday, then got the call in the ninth Wednesday with the Cubs leading by two. Leiter made quick work of New York, retiring the side on 10 pitches to pick up the save. The Cubs' closer situation remains hazy, but Leiter may be the best bet for ninth-inning opportunities given his strong numbers this season (1.77 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB over 20.1 innings). He's notched two of the team's five saves on the campaign.

Kauffmann (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings against Miami. He struck out two.

Kauffmann has lasted 4.1 innings in each of his first two starts, allowing a total of nine runs to date. The Marlins chased him in the fifth, as four of the five batters he faced reached base. Kauffmann had a 7.78 ERA in eight starts at Triple-A before the call up to the majors. If the rookie gets another turn in the rotation, he won't be a recommended fantasy option.

Kimbrel (3-1) earned the win Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, striking out one in a perfect 10th inning.

Kimbrel stranded the free runner on second base in the top of the 10th inning, setting up the Phillies to walk it off in the bottom half of the frame. The 34-year-old Kimbrel has been solid of late, allowing just one run on two hits over his last six innings while striking out 13 in that span. He lowered his ERA to 6.00 with a 1.33 WHIP and 30:10 K:BB through 18 innings this season.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Pomeranz underwent "cleanup surgery" on his elbow Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

It sounds like arthroscopic surgery, which carries a far shorter timetable than other elbow procedures and will keep hope alive that Pomeranz can be a contributor at some point in 2023. He hasn't appeared in a major-league game since 2021 due to a range of different injuries, the most notable of those being a flexor tendon strain.

Alexander will serve as the Giants' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Brewers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Alexander will likely work an inning or two before the Giants turn the game over to the bullpen. In 21 appearances this season, the veteran lefty has registered a 4.42 ERA with a 9:4 K:BB over 18.1 innings.

Chicago placed Burdi on the 15-day injured list Wednesday after he underwent an appendectomy earlier in the day, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Burdi will be sidelined for at least the next couple of weeks while he recovers from the emergency procedure. The Cubs called up right-hander Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to take Burdi's spot in the bullpen.

Chicago recalled Assad from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Assad was optioned to Triple-A earlier this month after registering a 5.09 ERA over 17.2 innings with the Cubs in one start and four relief appearances. He'll rejoin the big club as a replacement in the bullpen for Nick Burdi, who was placed on the 15-day injured list after undergoing an appendectomy earlier Wednesday.

Hollowell (forearm) has struck out four while allowing one hit and two walks over two scoreless innings in his two appearances since being activated from Triple-A Albuquerque's 7-day injured list May 16.

Hollowell missed the first month and a half of the season while recovering from right forearm tightness. The 25-year-old retains a spot on the Rockies' 40-man roster and has prior experience in the big leagues, so he could emerge as a candidate for a promotion to the Colorado bullpen if he can continue to string together quality appearances with Albuquerque.

Cincinnati designated Bracho for assignment Wednesday.

Bracho gets the boot from the 26-man and 40-man rosters to make room for Eduardo Salazar with Salazar having his contract selected from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. In four appearances with the Reds, Bracho registered a 5.06 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 5.1 innings. Assuming he goes unclaimed, he could report back to Louisville as an organizational depth piece.

Underwood (forearm) struck out two and gave up one run on two hits over two innings of relief in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Rangers.

Underwood was diagnosed with right forearm tightness after exiting his most recent appearance Friday against the Diamondbacks, and while that sort of injury is typically a precursor to an extended absence, the 28-year-old apparently required just a few days of rest for the issue to resolve itself. The fact that the Pirates had him cover two innings in a game that they were trailing by four runs suggests that the organization is confident in his health.