MLB Player News

Manaea allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out four across five innings Wednesday against the Giants. He did not factor into the decision.

Manaea was hit hard in the second and third innings, though he managed to tack on two scoreless frames to salvage a decent outing. Manaea entered Wednesday's start having maintained a 6.60 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and a 47:19 K:BB across 45 innings and nine starts since June 14. For the season, Manaea now has a 4.76 ERA in 119 frames on the season.

Junis allowed six earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three across 2.1 innings Wednesday against the Padres. He did not factor into the decision.

Junis got through two scoreless innings, but he allowed the first seven batters he faced to reach base in the third frame before being yanked. Despite being in the rotation consistently since the All-Star break, Junis has yet to work more than 4.1 innings in four outings. He's also allowed 10 earned runs across 14.1 innings in that span, inflating his overall ERA to 3.78 across 64.1 frames for the season.

Bednar (back) has begun doing lumbar/spine exercises and is hoping to start throwing in about a week, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports

Bednar has been dealing with back issues for a good part of the season and has still managed to record 17 saves while generating an impressive 2.70 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. However, it seems that he will have to remain out of action for the immediate future and Wil Crowe will continue filling in as Pittsburgh's closer until Bednar returns.

Rucker (1-1) tossed a scoreless inning of relief and earned the win Wednesday against the Nationals.

The Cubs trailed 2-0 after six innings before Rucker fired a scoreless top of the seventh and Chicago rallied for four runs in bottom half of the frame. The Cubs held on for the 4-2 win, giving the righty his first career MLB win. Rucker appeared in 20 games last season for Chicago and has now appeared in 20 games this year, mostly working in a middle-relief role with limited fantasy appeal.

Thompson was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

After appearing in two games since being called up Sunday, Thompson was sent back down to Triple-A in order to free up a spot for Jake McGee. Over the course of his brief stints in the majors this season, he's turned in an impressive 1.13 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over eight innings of work. It seems to be only a matter of time before the 24-year-old righty gets a long-term promotion to the big-league club.

Williams (3-2) struck out one in a perfect 10th inning Wednesday to pick up the win in a 4-3 victory over the Rays.

He needed only seven pitches (four strikes) to breeze through the top of the 10th inning thanks in part to Victor Caratini throwing out Taylor Walls attempting to steal second, and Williams got rewarded for his efforts when Willy Adames smacked a walkoff single against his former club in the bottom of the frame. Williams has yet to give up an earned run in four appearances since Josh Hader was dealt to the Padres, and on the season the right-hander sports a 1.66 ERA and 70:19 K:BB through 43.1 innings with seven saves in seven chances and 25 holds.

Jackson was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Jackson was promoted to the big-league club Sunday and will return to the minors without making an appearance. Ryan Pepiot, who is starting Wednesday against the Twins, was recalled from Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Hoffman (forearm) wasn't feeling well after his throwing session in Milwaukee over the weekend and is scheduled to meet with a doctor, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell acknowledged that he wasn't sure whether Hoffman would need to undergo an MRI, but at the very least, the right-hander looks like he'll have his throwing progression slowed down while he continues to experience forearm discomfort. Hoffman posted a 3.83 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 44.2 innings out of the bullpen for Cincinnati before landing on the 15-day injured list July 24.

Hill (3-0) earned the win over San Francisco on Tuesday by striking out the only batter he faced.

The Padres summoned newly acquired closer Josh Hader in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead, but he melted down and allowed three runs to score. Hill entered with the go-ahead run at second base and struck out Joc Pederson to keep the game tied, and the reliever picked up the victory when Manny Machado launched a walkoff homer in the bottom of the frame. Hill hasn't allowed an earned run in 14 straight starts, though he's notched only six strikeouts over 12.2 innings during that stretch.

Yates (elbow) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Yates underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2021 and spent the last year and a half recovering. However, he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in mid-July and posted a 1.08 ERA and 0.72 WHIP in 8.1 innings over eight appearances in the minors over the last few weeks. The 35-year-old converted 41 of 44 save chances for the Padres in 2019, but he'll likely serve as a middle reliever or setup man for Atlanta since the team has Kenley Jansen and Raisel Iglesias available for late-inning work.