MLB Player News

Alzolay (lat) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Thursday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Facing hitters in a controlled setting marks the final step in Alzolay's prolonged recovery program from a right lat strain before he's ready to head out on what's expected to be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. Since he's been on the shelf since spring training with the injury, Alzolay may not have sufficient time to build up to a starter's workload in 2022, but if he avoids any further setbacks, he'll at least be able to return from the 60-day injured list as a multi-inning relief option before season's end.

VerHagen will undergo season-ending hip surgery, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

VerHagen dealt with a hip injury for most of the season, and he'll ultimately require a procedure to address the issue. The right-hander made just 19 appearances during his injury-plagued season and posted a 6.65 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 21.2 innings. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, VerHagen is expected to make a full recovery from hip surgery in advance of spring training.

The Nationals reinstated Garrett (biceps) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Garrett is fully recovered from right biceps inflammation after he recently wrapped up a four-appearance rehab stint without any renewed discomfort, but the Nationals don't have a spot available for him in the bullpen at the moment. Prior to landing on the shelf, the right-hander surrendered eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits and seven walks over 7.2 innings with Washington.

The Cardinals recalled Naile from Triple-A Memphis and designated him as their 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader with the Cubs.

Naile is up with St. Louis for the third time this season after striking out four over 5.1 scoreless innings between his previous two stints. Despite his excellent results in the majors thus far, Naile will likely be headed back to Memphis immediately after the doubleheader.

May gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning during Wednesday's win over the Nationals.

Seeing his first big-league action since May 2, May topped out at 95.4 mph with his fastball and seemed fully recovered from his triceps injury. The 32-year-old right-hander had a rough first month of the season, perhaps due to the arm issue, but May should slot back into a high-leverage role for the Mets now that he's healthy.

Abbott will stay in Washington's rotation and start Sunday's game in Philadelphia.

Given the lack of existing talent in the Washington rotation, it comes as little surprise that Abbott will draw another start, especially after he looked sharp in his first turn against the Mets on Tuesday. Though the right-hander took a no-decision in the Nationals' 5-1 win, he tossed five scoreless frames while allowing four baserunners and striking out three. He was capped at 76 pitches after having only recently moved into a starting role at Triple-A Rochester prior to his call-up to Washington, but Abbott should be able to push his count up to 90 in his upcoming outing in Philadelphia.

Lee gave up a run in two-thirds of an inning while walking one and striking out one to record his seventh hold of the season in a 3-1 loss to the Phillies.

The 28-year-old southpaw finished up the seventh inning for starter Charlie Morton to protect a 1-0 lead but then got the hook after issuing a one-out walk to Rhys Hoskins in the eighth, only to see Collin McHugh fall apart and let Hoskins plus two more Phillies cross the plate. The deadline trade of Will Smith did move Lee up slightly in the pecking order when it comes to lefties in the Atlanta bullpen, but he remains firmly behind A.J. Minter (18 holds) when it comes to high-leverage duty despite Lee's impressive 1.61 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 31:4 K:BB through 28 innings on the year.

Crowe (4-6) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one across 1.1 innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Brewers.

Crowe bailed out Yerry De Los Santos in the eighth inning, recording the final out of the frame with two runners on base. Crowe went on to pitch a clean ninth inning in a tied game and appears to be the preferred option to close games with David Bednar (back) sidelined. After some struggles in June, Crowe has posted a 1.93 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and an 11:3 K:BB across his last 14 innings.

De Los Santos allowed three earned runs on four hits and a walk across 0.2 innings Wednesday against the Brewers.

De Los Santos entered the game in the eighth inning and retired the first two batters he faced without incident. However, he went on to allow five consecutive batters to reach base to blow a three-run lead. De Los Santos looked to be in a strong position to earn save chances with David Bednar (back) sidelined, but he has worked in the eighth inning in both of his appearances since Bednar became unavailable. De Los Santos has also struggled of late, allowing at least one earned run in six of his last 15 appearances.

Kimbrel earned a save over the Giants on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

As has been the case more often than not of late, Kimbrel didn't make things look easy. He allowed three straight batters to reach base (via a walk, single and hit-by-pitch) with one out but managed to wiggle out of the jam and emerge with the save. Kimbrel has allowed at least one baserunner in each of his past seven outings but is nonetheless 4-for-4 in converting save chances over that stretch.