MLB Player News

Smith was optioned to the Mets' alternate training site Friday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old was demoted in order to make room on the roster for Robinson Cano (groin), who was activated off the injured list. Smith pitched well with two runs allowed and a 6:0 K:BB through six innings, so he figures to rejoin the big-league club before long.

Romero was recalled from the Phillies' alternate training site Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old was unable to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he's now on the cusp of his major-league debut after being promoted Friday. Romero split 2019 between Double-A and Triple-A and had a 5.82 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 11.1 innings, and he should work in long relief for the Phillies.

Howard is confirmed as the starting pitcher Friday in the Phillies' series opener against the Mets, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

When Howard was called up to make his big-league debut last Sunday versus the Braves, he joined the Phillies as a sixth member of the rotation while the team played its sixth game in five days. With no doubleheaders on the schedule this week, manager Joe Girardi has scaled the rotation back to five men, and it looks as though Howard will at least temporarily keep his spot over Vince Velasquez, who worked an inning of relief in Thursday's 11-4 loss to the Orioles. Velasquez will likely be needed to start again in the Aug. 20 doubleheader against the Blue Jays, so Howard may need a strong showing both Friday and in his next turn to build a case for sticking in the five-man rotation on a more permanent basis. The 24-year-old was shaky in his debut outing, striking out four in 4.2 innings but giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk.

Voth (0-2) took the loss against the Mets on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out two.

Voth's outing was ultimately soured by homers from Dominic Smith (solo) and Tomas Nido (two-run). Voth was pulled after finishing the fourth inning with 86 pitches thrown. The right-hander will look to bounce back and go deeper into the game when he takes the ball Tuesday in Atlanta.

Sims threw a shutout inning against the Pirates in Thursday's loss, striking out two. He also picked up a win earlier in the week, prompting manager David Bell to suggest that Sims could end up in higher-leverage situations soon, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

This outing wasn't particularly high-leverage, as the Reds were trailing 9-5 in the ninth. With this inning, Sims now has a 0.96 ERA and 13:4 K:BB over 9.1 innings so far, with the one run he's allowed coming on a homer.

Diaz allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning during Thursday's 8-2 win over the Nationals.

It marked Diaz's sixth straight scoreless outing. Diaz's strong performance of late could lead to a return to the closer role eventually. Seth Lugo has earned the Mets' last three saves.

Hudson will start Sunday's game against the White Sox, assuming the Cardinals are cleared to resume their season this week following their team-wide COVID-19 outbreak, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The Cardinals will go with Adam Wainwright and a bullpen game for their Saturday doubleheader should they get the green light to resume their season. St. Louis will then follow with Hudson on Sunday. The right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk over 4.1 innings pitched in his lone start against the Pirates on July 26.

Howard is expected to start Friday's game against the Mets after Vince Velasquez entered Thursday's game against the Orioles in relief, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard and Velasquez were both preparing to start the series opener against New York, but the nod appears to be going to Howard after Velasquez entered Thursday's tilt in the sixth inning. Howard will look to improve on his performance in his MLB debut, in which he allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk over 4.2 innings against the Braves on Sunday.

Perdomo (illness) was activated from the injured list Thursday.

Perdomo is ready to make his big-league debut after a positive COVID-19 test prior to camp set him back to start the season. The southpaw reached Triple-A for the first time in 2019 and posted a 5.17 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 86:38 K:BB across 54 innings. Eric Lauer was sent to the team's alternate camp site in a corresponding move.

The Phillies added Hammer to their 60-man roster pool Thursday.

Hammer attending spring training with the Phillies but was an early cut, as he was outrighted off the 40-man roster and sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Feb. 11. The Phillies didn't bring Hammer back for summer camp, but the reliever will now head to Lehigh Valley to train regularly with the other minor-league players in the organization's 60-man pool. Hammer made 20 appearances for the big club in 2019, posting a 3.79 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 19 innings.