MLB Player News

Robertson (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander completed a bullpen session Thursday as he continue his recovery from Tommy John surgery in August 2019. Robertson could take the mound for the Phillies sometime this season if he continues to progress without any setbacks.

Romero was recalled by the Phillies on Friday, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The 23-year-old was optioned to the alternate training site after serving as the 29th man for Thursday's doubleheader, but he'll quickly rejoin the team with Jose Alvarez (groin) placed on the injured list. Romero has yet to make his major-league debut and had a 6.88 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 40:35 K:BB over 53.2 innings at Triple-A in 2019.

Pagan was tagged with a blown save in Thursday's game against Texas, allowing a solo home run while striking out two batters in one inning.

With Drew Pomeranz unavailable due to a tight shoulder, San Diego turned to Pagan in the ninth inning while clinging to a one-run lead. The right-hander couldn't get the job done, allowing a leadoff homer to Nick Solak before retiring the next three hitters. The blown save was Pagan's fourth of the season, and he now sports a 7.36 ERA. If Pomeranz is forced to miss time, Pagan could get additional save chances, though he may be a shaky option given the seven walks and three home runs he has allowed over 11 innings this season.

The Phillies optioned Romero to their alternate training site Friday.

Romero joined Philadelphia as its 29th man for Thursday's doubleheader with the Blue Jays. He didn't appear in either of the Phillies' losses and was sent back to the alternate site in Lehigh Valley ahead of the team's weekend road trip to Atlanta.

The Cubs optioned Alzolay to their alternate training site in South Bend on Thursday.

He was tabbed to start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals after he was called up as the Cubs' 29th man for the twin bill. The right-hander performed about as well as the Cubs could have hoped in his 2020 debut, working an efficient five innings and giving up an unearned run on two hits and a walk while striking out six in Chicago's 4-2 triumph. With Jose Quintana (thumb) nearing a return from the injured list, however, Alzolay doesn't look like he'll get the chance to stick around in the rotation, though he could be the next man up if another starting spot gets vacated at some point.

Estevez logged two perfect innings while striking out two in Thursday's loss to the Astros.

He came in for the eighth inning with the Rockies trailing 10-7 and finished out the game without allowing a hit or a walk. Estevez was hit on his throwing hand by a line drive earlier in the week and X-rays were negative. He seems to have the slight edge over Daniel Bard in the current closer committee, having last saved a game Aug. 16 after Bard gave up a run.

Bard has given up one run in two of his three appearances since recording a save Aug. 11 against the Diamondbacks.

On Aug. 16, Carlos Estevez came in after Bard gave up one run to pick up the save, so Estevez seems like the slight favorite in the current committee. Estevez has also been a bit more effective of late and logged two scoreless frames Thursday against the Astros in a non-save situation. However, Bard might be called on if a save situation were to arise Friday, due to Estevez's recent usage.

Young (1-1) picked up his first loss in Wednesday's game against Oakland. He allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four over four innings.

The offense didn't support Young, but he was not sharp. The right-hander needed 86 pitches to get 12 outs and was done after that. This was his second start in place of Madison Bumgarner (back), who the Diamondbacks originally estimated would miss two starts while on the injured list. Bumgarner threw a bullpen session Thursday and is expected to throw a simulated game before rejoining the active roster. That suggests Young will make one more start when this spot in the rotation comes around next Tuesday at home against Colorado.

Lamet did not factor into the decision during Thursday's win against the Rangers, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out nine across five innings.

Lamet, who had allowed only one earned run in his first five starts this season, surrendered a two-run shot to Jose Trevino in the fifth inning. Otherwise, the 28-year-old ace in the making turned in a solid performance, though his teammates did not come through with the win until the 10th frame. Lamet currently leads the Padres with 45 strikeouts and a 1.89 ERA. Next up, he'll face off with the Mariners on Wednesday.

Pomeranz is dealing with shoulder tightness and is considered day-to-day according to manager Jayce Tingler, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

This explains why Pomeranz did not appear in Wednesday or Thursday's close wins over the Rangers. Pomeranz has served as the Friars' primary closer this year and it is unclear when he'll be available to pitch again. Emilio Pagan was called upon to get the save Thursday, but blew the opportunity by allowing a game-tying solo homer to Nick Solak. Nonetheless, Pagan could be the top candidate for save chances if Pomeranz is forced to miss time beyond Thursday.