MLB Player News

The Pirates recalled Dotel from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

The Pirates desperately need a fresh arm to cover innings in the bullpen, and Dotel should be first in line for that assignment. He's collected a 4.71 ERA and 31:13 K:BB over 28.2 frames covering 15 appearances out of the big-league bullpen this season. The Pirates could call on him to cover multiple innings in Thursday's game against the Giants once opener Lake Bachar exits the game.

Seymour logged a blown save in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Pirates, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one in 1.2 innings.

Seymour entered the game in the seventh inning with two runners on base and one out. The right-hander managed to get through the eighth frame, though he gave up a double and a single as Pittsburgh tied the game at 3-3. Despite Wednesday's stumble, the 27-year-old has fared well over his last 10 outings, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 13 innings during that time.

Lord didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 9-0 loss to Atlanta, allowing two hits and a walk over 3.1 scoreless innings. He struck out six.

A nearly 90-minute rain delay ended what was shaping up to be an unlikely pitcher's duel, as Lord's dominant performance was matched by three perfect innings from Grant Holmes. Lord may have been nearing his limit anyway, however -- the right-hander tossed 39 of 55 pitches for strikes, and he hasn't thrown 60-plus pitches in any outing this season. He'll likely return to a long-relief role, but Lord's making a case to get stretched out for another crack at the rotation, having posted a 2.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB over 15 innings since the beginning of August.

Cousins (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, striking out one and issuing one walk in a scoreless frame.

It's the first appearance for Cousins since he underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2025. He averaged 94.3 mph with his four-seamer in the outing, which is down only slightly from his pre-surgery velocity. Cousins has had difficulty staying healthy in his career, but he boasts a 2.78 ERA and 32.6 percent strikeout rate over parts of four seasons, so he could provide a boost to the Dodgers' bullpen down the stretch after he makes a few more rehab appearances.

O'Brien allowed an unearned run and struck out one without giving up a hit or a walk over one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 8-6, extra-inning win over the Dodgers.

O'Brien surrendered the run on a groundout in the 10th inning, which plated the automatic runner. After a bumpy end to August with seven runs allowed over his final 2.2 innings of the month, O'Brien will be looking to stabilize in September and started off the new month well Wednesday. He's 35-for-40 on save chances this season, leading the National League in conversions and trailing only Bryan Baker (39) in the majors. O'Brien has added a 3.88 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 55:23 K:BB across 55.2 innings.

Mautz allowed three runs on two hits, three walks and two hit batsmen while striking out none over one-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Mautz had virtually no control, throwing just 12 of 36 pitches for strikes. He's now allowed nine runs over seven innings across three appearances in the majors this season. Andre Pallante (elbow) is expected back soon, so this was likely nothing more than a spot start for Mautz, not that he did enough to earn another turn through the rotation on his own.

Palencia, who allowed a run on two hits across an inning of relief in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Brewers, has been scored on in four out of five appearances since returning from the injured list in late August.

Palencia missed nearly two months with a right elbow flexor strain, and he's yet to get into a groove since returning from the injured list. The flamethrowing righty's ERA has climbed up to 5.14 due to his recent struggles, and he's simply a middle-relief option in Chicago's bullpen until further notice. As a result, Palencia's fantasy value is trending downward.

Faucher threw a clean ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Royals.

With closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) on the injured list, Faucher stepped up for the save Wednesday. The right-hander has yielded a lone earned run since the beginning of August and figures to serve as one of Miami's top options in the ninth inning while Fairbanks is on the mend. Faucher has a 3.77 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 64:32 K:BB with three saves (eight chances) in 59.2 innings this season.

Webb was removed from Wednesday's game against the Brewers after getting hit on the arm by a comebacker, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Webb took a 102.5-mph line drive off his right forearm in the ninth inning and was taken out of the game immediately afterward. X-rays came back negative after the game, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network, though the Cubs may stay away from using Webb out of the bullpen for a day or two to give him time to recover. Daniel Palencia and Trent Thornton would figure to be next up to handle high-leverage situations.

Smith earned the save in Wednesday's 5-4, extra-inning win over the Pirates, allowing one unearned run on one hit while striking out two batters in the 10th inning.

The Giants scored two runs in the 10th inning to grab a 5-3 lead, and Smith was called upon to protect that lead in the bottom of the frame. The Pirates' automatic runner came home to score on an RBI single from Nick Gonzales, but Smith responded by striking out each of the next two batters before getting Rafael Flores to line out to center field. It was Smith's fourth save of the season (and third since Aug. 1), and the 26-year-old right-hander has a 3.13 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 31.2 innings overall this year.