MLB Player News

Dominguez (1-4) blew his fourth save of the season in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Nationals, serving up a two-run walkoff home run to Ryan Zimmerman with two outs in the ninth inning.

The right-hander seemed to have things well in hand, getting Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon to fly out to begin the frame, but Juan Soto's double into the right-field corner opened the door for Zimmerman's heroics. Dominguez has now blown three of his last five save opportunities, giving up homers each time, and Phillies manager Gabe Kapler may have to start considering other ninth-inning options once again.

Stephenson fell to 0-2 on the season after allowing four runs on nine hits and three walks in five innings Wednesday against the Brewers, striking out four.

It certainly wasn't a good game for Stephenson, but by some measures it was his best of the season, as he lasted just four and 1.2 innings in his first two starts for the big-league team. Wednesday's start also marked the first time he struck out more batters than he walked this year. Still, it's hard to feel positive about an outing in which the 25-year-old had a WHIP of 2.40. Assuming he's still in the rotation, his next chance to impress will come next Wednesday against the Brewers.

Loup (forearm) will be shut down from throwing for two more weeks, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

The timeline could be adjusted depending on how his arm is doing, but the expectation is that Loup will avoid throwing for three weeks from the date on which he initially suffered his flexor strain. That would leave Loup in line to return sometime in mid-September, as he'll still have to build his arm strength back up and likely make a few rehab appearances before rejoining the Phillies.

Hernandez will make a spot start Thursday against the Braves, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins need an extra starter with Jose Urena serving a suspension for throwing at Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna. Hernandez has started five times for the Marlins this season and has appeared 21 times out of the bullpen, struggling to 5.08 ERA in 56.2 innings overall. His 9.1 percent walk rate is only slightly worse than average, but he doesn't strike out many batters (16.1 percent) and generates very few groundballs (26.3 percent).

Poncedeleon was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.

Poncedeleon lasted just four innings Tuesday in his first start after earning a rotation spot that appeared to be a permanent one. The move may have little to do with the pitcher's performance, however, as the Cardinals have off days Thursday and Monday and won't need a fifth starter until Sept. 1, the day Poncedeleon would be eligible to return. It remains to be seen whether or not he'll get the ball that day, but the demotion doesn't necessarily mean the Cardinals have lost faith.

Minter (back) will be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's contest against Pittsburgh, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Minter was unavailable for the first two games of this series due to back tightness but he was deemed good to go following a throwing session before Wednesday's series finale. That said, manager Brian Snitker said that he will try to refrain from using Minter unless its necessary, per O'Brien. Look for Dan Winkler to be the ninth-inning man in his place.

Miller (elbow) increased his throwing distance to 75 feet off flat ground Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

It's only an incremental step forward for Miller, who had been throwing from 60 feet as of last weekend. Miller seems likely to be limited to flat-ground throwing for at least another week before the Diamondbacks clear him for mound work.

Santana (shoulder) fired a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, topping out at 90 mph, J.P. Hoornstra of The Orange County Register reports.

The bullpen session was the first mound work for Santana since he injured his rotator cuff in June. Santana was able to touch 90 mph with his fastball, which is off the 92.9 mph average posted in a brief stint in the majors this season. The Dodgers didn't provide a projected return date for the 22-year-old, but at this point, a return this season appears unlikely.

Poncedeleon allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out eight over four innings in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers. He did not factor into the decision.

Poncedeleon was sharp in his second career start but he wasn't efficient, needing 90 pitches (61 strikes) to get through four frames. The 26-year-old has worked to an impressive 2.08 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 21.2 innings in the majors and figures to stick around in the rotation going forward. He'll draw the Pirates at home Tuesday.

Boxberger (2-4) got the win Tuesday, firing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts and one hit allowed against the Angels.

Boxberger worked around a one-out single to send down the Angels on 13 pitches (nine strikes) in a tie game in the top of the ninth, and picked up his second win when Arizona walked off in the home half of the frame. The 30-year-old has proven to be a reliable endgame option, sporting a 3.30 ERA with 28 saves in 33 tries.