MLB Player News

Fields (shoulder) made a rehab appearance for the Dodgers' Arizona League affiliate Tuesday, striking out one over one scoreless inning while giving up two base hits.

Fields has been shut down since June 26 with right shoulder inflammation, so he'll likely require at least a few more appearances in the minors before the Dodgers bring him back from the 10-day disabled list. Prior to developing the injury, Fields had functioned as one of the top setup men for closer Kenley Jansen. He has recorded a 2.36 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, eight holds and two saves in 37 outings this season.

Interim manager Jim Riggleman said that Stephenson will be in the Reds' rotation moving forward and is not just making a spot start Wednesday, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It sounds like Cincinnati is moving back to a six-man rotation, with Stephenson taking over for Tyler Mahle, who was recently demoted to Triple-A Louisville. Stephenson will be making his first appearance of the season with the major-league team Wednesday, starting opposite Jacob deGrom. A former top prospect, Stephenson has failed to come close to living up to the hype so far, but his recent run with Louisville (68:22 K:BB in his last 56 innings) offers a glimmer of hope that he may still make it as a back-end starter.

The Reds recalled Stephenson from Triple-A Louisville ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday against the Mets.

Cincinnati optioned reliever Jesus Reyes to Louisville in order to make room on the active roster for Stephenson, who is likely just making a spot start for the big club with the team in need of a temporary sixth starter after playing a doubleheader over the weekend. Though he has mostly struggled in his previous stints in the majors, Stephenson returns to Cincinnati following a highly impressive run at Triple-A. He struck out 13 over six scoreless, one-hit innings his last time out Aug. 3 and has accrued a 1.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB in 56 innings over his past nine outings.

Jansen recorded his 32nd save Tuesday, firing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against the Athletics.

Jansen set down the first two batters he faced via strikeout, and ultimately needed just nine pitches to set Oakland down in order. With 32 saves, he's now tied with Wade Davis for the NL lead, and sports a tidy 2.15 ERA and 0.90 WHIP to go along with that total.

Pivetta (7-9) got the win Tuesday, tossing six shutout innings with six strikeouts while allowing five hits and a walk against the Diamondbacks.

Pivetta only allowed one baserunner to get past first base all night, and even then he quickly induced a double play to erase the threat. He's now tossed back-to-back quality starts, lowering his ERA to 4.51 -- his lowest mark since June -- to go along with an impressive 11.1 K/9. He'll take on the Red Sox on Tuesday next time out.

Minter allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning during Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader at Washington to record his ninth save of the season. He did not walk or strike out a batter.

Minter rebounded from his first blown save of the season Sunday with the scoreless effort Tuesday. The left-hander should retain a hold on the closer's role for the foreseeable future with Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) still without a clear timetable for his return.

Venditte was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

Venditte returns to the Dodgers for the first time since before the All-Star break. The switch-handed pitcher has been up-and-down between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles all season. He has allowed four runs over only 4.1 innings at the major-league level.

Hudson was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with right forearm tightness.

Hudson has pitched only once in the last week -- a two inning effort Friday -- but it's unclear when the injury first cropped up. Switch-handed pitcher Pat Venditte joins the Dodgers from Triple-A to bolster their bullpen depth.

Morejon was placed on the minor-league disabled list with a small triceps issue, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Fortunately, Morejon isn't dealing with any issue to his ulnar collateral ligament. The plan is to shut the prospect down for 10 days before allowing him to build back up with a restricted pitch count. It's Morejon's second trip to the disabled list stint in the past two months -- his other due to a hip flexor issue -- so the Padres figure to proceed cautiously with the young southpaw.

Boshers was claimed off waivers by the Pirates on Tuesday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Boshers, who was designated for assignment by the Astros, was sent to Triple-A Indianapolis after being scooped up by Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors this season, though he owns a solid 3.18 ERA and 55:15 K:BB across 51 innings at Triple-A. He'll serve as organizational bullpen depth.