MLB Player News

Hammer was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Hammer has a solid 3.79 ERA in 19 innings with the Phillies this season, but the underlying numbers don't come close to supporting that figure. Both his 16.1 percent strikeout rate and 14.8 percent walk rate are quite poor. He'll make way on the roster for Mike Morin, acquired in a trade from the Twins on Saturday.

Morejon is a candidate to be used as an opener Sunday against the Cubs, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Morejon has exclusively been a starter thus far in his professional career, but he's expected to be called up as a reliever Saturday. Serving as an opener would be an easy way to smooth his transition to the big leagues, as he'd get to warm up prior to the game as he's used to. The Padres haven't officially confirmed what his role will be.

Helsley was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Helsley has a poor 5.06 ERA in 32 innings for Memphis, but he's actually fared better in 10.1 frames at the big-league level, posting a 3.48 ERA. His 29.3 percent strikeout rate in the majors is strong, but he's walked too many batters (12.2 percent). Edmundo Sosa was optioned in a corresponding move.

The Padres optioned Reyes to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

Reyes' demotion clears a spot on the active roster for infielder Luis Urias, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. The right-hander's latest stint with San Diego lasted just over two weeks, with Reyes giving up two runs in 3.1 innings during that stretch.

Voth is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against the Braves.

Voth was recalled from the minors when a fifth member of the rotation was needed Tuesday in Baltimore and turned in his second quality start in four turns with the big club this season. The solid performance will earn him his second start of the week after the Nationals determined that Max Scherzer (shoulder) wouldn't be ready to rejoin the rotation during the team's series in Atlanta. Even if Scherzer makes it back from the injured list next week, Voth could stay with the big club as the No. 5 starter over Erick Fedde, with the performance of both pitchers likely to be the main determinant in which of the two sticks around when the Nats are at full strength.

Dominguez (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The transaction was merely a procedural move, as the Phillies needed to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for the newly acquired Mike Morin. Dominguez has been shut down since early June with a UCL injury in his right elbow and is without a clear timeline to return from the IL.

Smith tossed a perfect inning with a pair of strikeouts in a non-save situation Friday against the Mets.

Smith has settled back down with a pair of scoreless outings (5:1 K:BB) following his worst blown save of the season Tuesday against the Rockies (three earned runs over an inning). Neither of those last two appearances resulted in saves, but both came in tight contests (Friday's coming in the ninth inning of a tie game at home). Smith now owns a 2.61 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 6.1 K/BB to go along with 24 saves in 42 appearances.

Clarke lasted just 3.2 innings but did not factor into the decision during Friday's win over the Brewers, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks. He failed to strike out a batter.

It was another ugly outing for Clarke, who has failed to get through four innings in five of his last eight starts. The right-hander struggled with his command but fortunately he left with the Diamondbacks ahead 7-4 and avoided any chance of a loss. Clarke had been activated off the 10-day injured list (back) to start Friday's game, and it looks like he'll need to make some adjustments to find his way back into the strike zone. The 26-year-old now owns a 6.50 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 32:19 K:BB across 11 appearances (10 starts). He'll take the mound for a more favorable matchup against the Orioles on Wednesday.

Mayers (lat) is slated to work multi-inning, back-to-back outings at Triple-A Memphis next week in anticipation of activation from the injured list, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Mayers has been sidelined with his lat strain since April 16, and the 30-day window on his rehab assignment is coming to an end next Friday. At that point, the Cardinals would either have to activate Mayers or send him to the minors, but the latter move would subject him to waivers. With St. Louis currently sporting a full 40-man roster, the team would have to move another player to the 60-day injured list or remove a player from the 40-man roster via a trade or a designation for assignment in order to make room for Mayers.

Garcia pitched two-thirds of an inning Friday and allowed two inherited runners to score, pinning him with a blown save in a 2-1 loss to the Dodgers.

The runs were charged to starter Zac Gallen, but Garcia will be responsible for the blown save. The 26-year-old southpaw has a 2.76 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 22 strikeouts in 29.1 innings this season, mostly while deployed in the middle innings.