MLB Player News
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Josh Fields RP | MIL
Dodgers' Josh Fields: Returns from DL
Fields (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day disabled list ahead of Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.
Fields had been on the shelf with a shoulder issue for the last two months, although after completing a rehab stint, he's set to return to action. He figures to eventually settle in as a setup man, although the Dodgers will likely ease him back into big-league action. In corresponding moves, Rob Segedin was designated for assignment, and Yimi Garcia was optioned to High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
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Josh Fields RP | MIL
Dodgers' Josh Fields: Expects to return over weekend
Fields (shoulder) expects to be activated from the 60-day disabled list over the weekend, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Fields has been sidelined since June 28 with a shoulder issue, but he's apparently feeling great after completing an eight-game rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City and the Arizona League Dodgers (despite allowing five runs and three homers in seven innings). Once he's activated, Fields will likely be eased back into a setup role. He compiled a shiny 2.36 ERA across 34.1 innings before landing on the DL.
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Dominic Leone RP | CHW
Cardinals' Dominic Leone: Perfect in two outings since return
Leone has fired two perfect innings across two appearances since returning from the 60-day disabled list on Aug. 26.
The right-hander missed nearly four months with nerve damage in his right biceps, but he built his strength back up with 10 rehab appearances for Triple-A Memphis. The extra conditioning time seems to have worked like a charm, as Leone has mowed through the Rockies (Sunday) and Pirates (Wednesday) during his pair of outings on just 20 pitches overall. The 26-year-old should progressively see more work during September as a valued later-inning option for manager Mike Shildt.
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Ariel Hernandez RP | LAD
Brewers' Ariel Hernandez: Designated for assignment
Hernandez was designated for assignment by Milwaukee on Thursday.
Hernandez was sent off the 40-man roster in order to make room for Aaron Brooks, who had his contract purchased from the minors in a corresponding move. Since being claimed off waivers by the Brewers earlier this month, Hernandez has allowed four earned runs on two hits and 11 walks in 5.1 innings with Triple-A Colorado Springs. He will now be subject to waivers yet again.
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Josh Hader RP | HOU
Brewers' Josh Hader: Struggles mightily Wednesday
Hader was tagged for four earned runs in just 0.2 innings in Wednesday's victory over the Reds.
Hader had given up just 11 earned runs all season prior to Wednesday's contest, but the Brewers were able to pick up their ace reliever and still come through with the win. Hader's ERA now sits at 2.05 -- the highest it has been since April 11. Still, given how steady he has been all season, expect him to bounce back in short order.
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Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Reds' Robert Stephenson: Placed on DL
Stephenson was put on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Monday due to shoulder tendinitis.
Since Stephenson hasn't pitched in the past few days, the club was able to backdate his placement on the DL, making him eligible to return Sept. 6. It's unclear how much time the right-hander will require in order to recover from this bout of tendinitis, so don't be surprised if he winds up spending a couple weeks on the shelf. In a corresponding move, the club recalled Austin Brice from the minors.
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Dereck Rodriguez RP | ATL
Giants' Dereck Rodriguez: Allows three runs in loss
Rodriguez (6-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three over five innings against the Diamondbacks.
Rodriguez struggled some with command, throwing just 53 of his 92 pitches for strikes while issuing a season-high four free passes. It's tempting to view this as just a blip on the radar, as the impressive rookie had thrown a quality start in nine straight starts, and even after Wednesday's outing still sports a terrific 2.47 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He'll look to bounce-back Tuesday in Colorado.
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Brad Boxberger RP | CHC
Diamondbacks' Brad Boxberger: Grabs 30th save
Boxberger struck out the only two batters he faced Wednesday to grab the save against the Giants.
Southpaw Andrew Chafin was called upon to retire the left-handed hitting Brandon Crawford to start off the ninth inning, but then Boxberger entered to shut the door for his 30th save. The 30-year-old hasn't been lights-out all year, but he's sporting a 12.6 K/9 and ranks third in the National League in saves behind Wade Davis and Kenley Jansen, making him a fairly reliable endgame option.
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Trevor Richards RP | CHW
Marlins' Trevor Richards: Allows three runs in no-decision
Richards allowed three runs on three hits and two walks across 5.2 innings Wednesday against the Red Sox. He struck out six and didn't factor into the decision.
Richards kept the Red Sox in check for the most part aside from a pair of solo homers he served up to Eduardo Nunez and Mookie Betts. The right-hander exited the game with a 4-3 lead, but an 11-run seventh inning from the Red Sox ultimately left him with a no-decision. Richards will carry a 4.26 ERA and 9.2 K/9 into his next start, which will come at home against the Phillies.
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Matt Andriese RP | MIA
Diamondbacks' Matt Andriese: Will be stretched out in minors
Andriese, who was optioned to High-A Visalia on Tuesday, will be stretched out as a starter while he remains in the minors, Martin Oppegaard of MLB.com reports.
The rotation has been a strength for the Diamondbacks this season, but the team doesn't have much in the way of depth behind its current five starters with Taijuan Walker (elbow) out for the season and Shelby Miller (elbow) facing a hazy timeline to return from the disabled list. With that in mind, Andriese, who made 38 starts with the Rays across the last two seasons before transitioning to the bullpen in 2018, will at least provide some decent insurance if Arizona loses another rotation member to an injury. Since Andriese hasn't tossed more than 58 pitches in any of his appearances, he'll likely require at least two outings in the minors before he's ready to handle a starter's workload. If the Diamondbacks' top five rotation options all remain healthy by the time he's ready to return to the big leagues, however, Andriese would presumably reprise a bullpen role.