MLB Player News

Quezada was claimed off waivers by the Phillies on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies' bullpen had one of the worst seasons of all time in 2020, posting a 7.06 ERA as a unit. Quezada could presumably help his new team, though he hadn't pitched above High-A prior to this season and threw just three innings for the Marlins this year, so he shouldn't be expected to fill a significant role any time soon.

Neris' option was declined by the Phillies on Friday, though he remains with the team as he's still arbitration eligible, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies evidently were uninterested in bringing Neris back for $7 million. Whether they attempt to bring him back at a lower salary or not remains to be seen. Neris has saved 72 games with a 3.38 ERA and a 30.1 percent strikeout rate over parts of seven seasons with the Phillies, though he (along with the rest of the Philadelphia bullpen) struggled last season, posting a 4.57 ERA.

Venditte (oblique) was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Venditte signed with the Marlins at the end of July, and he spent just over a week in the majors before being shut down for the remainder of the season with a right oblique strain. He's expected to head to free agency after being removed from the 40-man roster.

Harvey (elbow) was outrighted off the 40-man roster by the Rockies on Thursday.

Harvey suffered a right elbow sprain in August that kept him on the 45-day injured list for the remainder of the season. He'll remain off the 40-man roster heading into the offseason after tossing 3.1 scoreless innings in 2020.

Bracho was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old missed most of the past two years after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2019, but he returned from the injured list at the end of September and allowed two runs over one inning during his lone appearance of the season. Bracho was solid out of the bullpen with a 3.19 ERA in 31 appearances for Arizona in 2018, but he'll need to work for his spot on the roster next year.

Kuhnel cleared waivers Monday and was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville.

Kuhnel pitched just three times this season, giving up a pair of runs in three innings of work. He's evidently not a significant part of the Reds' plans heading into 2021, though he could still wind up back on the roster to throw a handful of innings.

Manager Dave Roberts said prior to the Dodgers' 4-2 win over the Rays in Game 5 of the World Series that he was uncertain of Jansen's role, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Jansen's blown save in Game 4 on Saturday wasn't a total implosion, but it nonetheless continued a trend of underwhelming postseason appearances for the 33-year-old. With that in mind, Roberts' decision to bypass Jansen for a save chance Sunday came as little surprise, with Blake Treinen stepping in and working around a leadoff single to deliver a scoreless ninth inning. The diminished velocity and elevated flyball rate Jansen has experienced during the playoffs could make Roberts reluctant to turn to him in higher-leverage spots for the remainder of the World Series.

Treinen worked around a leadoff single and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday to pick up a save in the Dodgers' 4-2 win over the Rays in Game 5 of the World Series.

Manager Dave Roberts admitted prior to Game 5 that he wasn't certain if the struggling Kenley Jansen would remain Los Angeles' closer, so it wasn't too surprising to see Treinen tabbed for the save situation. After Jansen blew a save chance at night earlier, Treinen turned in a mostly stress-free frame, needing only 12 pitches to put away the Rays. Jansen's long track record as one of the game's top relievers may still make him the favorite to open 2021 as the Dodgers' closer, but his poor form of late likely makes Treinen the team's preferred option for saves for the remainder of the series.

Jansen was charged with the blown save and the loss in Game 4 of the World Series against the Rays on Saturday after recording two outs during the ninth inning and giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits with one strikeout and one walk.

The veteran right-hander retired two of the first three batters he faced, but a two-out walk to Randy Arozarena put the winning run on base. Brett Phillips' subsequent RBI single was botched in the outfield by Chris Taylor, and catcher Will Smith missed the relay throw with Arozarena dead to rights at home plate, allowing the game-winning run to score. It was a circus finish to a back-and-forth affair, and Jansen has now allowed three runs (two earned) in 1.2 innings over his two appearances in the World Series. The Dodgers seem likely to test their options for any save chances across the final two or three games of the series.

Williams was named the 2020 National League Reliever of the Year on Saturday, Marc Carig of The Athletic reports.

Williams allowed only one earned run across 27 innings of work in the shortened campaign. He thoroughly dominated opposing hitters, punching out 53 batters while walking only nine. Although Williams was unable to pitch in the postseason due a shoulder injury, he is expected to be ready for the 2021 campaign without undergoing surgery.