MLB Player News

Atlanta claimed Vanasco off waivers from the Tigers on Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Vanasco was designated for assignment by the Tigers earlier this week, but he will now join Atlanta's 40-man roster. The right-handed reliever has allowed 12 runs (11 earned) with a 4:6 K:BB over 6.1 innings in the majors this season, but he's been much more effective at Triple-A Toledo with a 2.53 ERA and 59:24 K:BB in 46.1 frames.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Brown (neck) suffered a setback during his live batting practice session Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Working his way back from a stress reaction in his neck, Brown began feeling discomfort in his neck toward the end of the session, and the pain worsened as the day moved along. He is headed back to Chicago to be evaluated and is "gonna slow it down in some way," per Counsell. Brown hasn't pitched in a game since late June, and he now looks like a long shot to make it back before the end of the season.

Pivetta (forearm) struck out four and allowed three earned runs on four hits and one walk in three innings Tuesday in a rehab start with Single-A Lake Elsinore.

After a three-week hiatus following a setback with his right forearm, Pivetta resumed his minor-league rehab assignment and made a second start with Lake Elsinore. Though his command was lacking while he allowed three extra-base hits -- including two home runs -- on the night, Pivetta was at least able to pound the strike zone (35 strikes on 47 pitches). Pivetta will need at least one more rehab start to continue building up his pitch count before the Padres consider bringing him back from the 60-day injured list and inserting him into the rotation. The veteran righty has been on the shelf since April 14.

Romano walked one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 13th save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Nationals.

The veteran right-hander may be turning his career around with the most unlikely of teams. Romano has converted nine of 10 save chances since landing with the Rockies, posting a 2.30 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB over 15.2 innings -- a remarkable turnaround after he began 2026 with a 10.13 ERA in eight frames for the Angels.

Phillips didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 7-3 extra-innings loss to the Red Sox, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out seven.

The seven Ks were a season high and tied Phillips' career high, but they also ran up his pitch count and forced an early exit after 84 pitches (55 strikes). The right-hander has given up two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last nine trips to the mound but has lasted longer than five innings only once in that time, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB in 36.1 innings. He'll look to earn his first win since Aug. 1 in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week against the Nationals.

Lord struck out two and allowed one walk and no hits over 2.1 innings of relief in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Rockies.

Lord had started in each of his prior three appearances, but he was essentially deployed as an opener for all of those games, working no more than 2.2 innings on any occasions. The Nationals are still lacking a clear No. 5 starter, but Lord's usage in long relief Tuesday suggests that the club is planning on him filling a bullpen role for the time being. Washington will have Matt Waldron open Wednesday's contest in what would have been Lord's spot in the rotation.

Seymour allowed one run on one hit and struck out one without walking a batter over one inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Reds.

Seymour was called on for the save chance after Dylan Smith logged 25 pitches Monday. The Giants have seen starters go down with injuries in consecutive games, as well as losing reliever JT Brubaker (ribs) to the injured list Monday, so it's been hard times for the team's healthy relievers. Seymour has a 5.19 ERA and 14:7 K:BB across 17.1 innings this season while also collecting two holds. He's done most of his work as a multi-inning option -- he's been able to get more than three outs in seven of his 10 appearances so far, which makes it unlikely that he'll be a consistent presence in the late innings.

Webb (6-4) allowed two runs on one hit and one walk without recording a strikeout in one inning, taking the loss and a blown save in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Webb served up a walk-off two-run home run to pinch hitter Ryan Waldschmidt in the ninth inning after having to mop up a mess by Daniel Palencia in the eighth. Webb has a blown save and a loss in each of his last two outings, allowing five runs over 1.2 innings in that span. Palencia's poor outing Tuesday could buy Webb some time to work out of his struggles, but the late innings are looking far shakier for the Cubs now than just a week ago with their top relievers beginning to struggle. Webb has maintained a 2.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 64:21 K:BB with nine saves and eight holds, as well as six blown saves, over 58.2 innings this season.

Montgomery walked one and struck out two in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Padres.

Montgomery's scoreless streak is up to 11.1 innings, and he has a 22:3 K:BB in that span. He's pitched consecutive days, so he may not be available if a save chance arises Wednesday. For the year, Montgomery is at a 3.19 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 87:22 K:BB while tallying six saves, nine holds and two blown saves over 53.2 innings.

The Nationals are expected to recall Perales from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

The 23-year-old righty will get his first big-league opportunity after posting a 3.64 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 96.1 innings at Triple-A. Perales has worked primarily as a starter this season but will likely begin his MLB career in the bullpen after pitching two innings or fewer in each of his last four minor-league outings.