MLB Player News

Smith earned the save in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Guardians, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out five over two scoreless innings.

Smith entered with a one-run lead in the eighth inning and was dominant, throwing 22 of 30 pitches for strikes to earn his third save of the campaign. The 26-year-old has now converted two of three save chances since taking over as the Giants' closer and has posted a 3.24 ERA through eight August appearances. On the season, he owns three saves and six holds while posting a 2.73 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 33:12 K:BB across 26.1 innings.

The Phillies designated Keller for assignment Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Keller gave up one run in three innings during his MLB debut July 25 but has coughed up 12 runs in just 9.2 frames since returning to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 32-year-old righty will now lose his place on the 40-man roster to make room for Nestor Cortes, who signed a major-league deal with the Phillies on Wednesday.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that MRI results on Diaz's neck revealed no additional damage, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Diaz landed on the injured list Tuesday due to neck inflammation, but Roberts said that the right-hander received a "best-case" prognosis during his visit with a doctor Wednesday. The Dodgers will keep him shut down from throwing for a few days before determining next steps, though he doesn't seem to be trending toward a lengthy IL stint.

Fleming signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Fleming has spent time with the Blue Jays and Cubs this season. He gave up six runs over three innings during his lone big-league appearance but owns a 3.16 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 82.2 frames in the minors. He'll report to Triple-A Memphis to begin his tenure with the Cardinals but could get another opportunity to pitch in the majors if he continues to perform well.

Senga recorded his fourth save of the season in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Padres, giving up one run on two hits and a walk in one inning. He failed to strike out a batter.

The right-hander put three straight baserunners aboard with one out in the ninth to make things interesting, but Senga was able to get pinch-hitter Austin Hays to ground into a double play to escape the jam. Devin Williams (shoulder) isn't expected back until sometime in September, so Senga should continue holding down the fort as the Mets' closer for another couple weeks or so. Wednesday's run was the first he's allowed over six appearances in August, and Senga has yet to blow a save chance.

The Cubs transferred Maton (knee) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

The Cubs have yet to decide whether to build Maton up for a late-season return or shut him down for the year, though the team is expected to make a decision within the next week or so. In the meantime, the Cubs will stash him away on the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man spot for Gabriel Arias, who was claimed off waivers from the Mets on Wednesday.

Montgomery (5-3) picked up the win Wednesday against the Tigers, giving up two hits and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

The southpaw reliever worked a clean top of the ninth with the Pirates down 3-2 and got rewarded when Rafael Flores and Brandon Lowe both took Detroit closer Kenley Jansen deep for a walk-off win. Montgomery has reeled off nine straight scoreless appearances, picking up two wins and three saves in that stretch with a 0.63 WHIP and an eye-popping 17:2 K:BB over eight innings as Pittsburgh's top high-leverage option.

The Dodgers designated Hernandez for assignment Wednesday.

Hernandez will be pushed off the Dodgers' 40-man roster for the second time in as many weeks to make room for Brock Stewart (shoulder), who returned from the injured list Wednesday. Hernandez has logged a 5.68 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 25.1 innings in the majors this year and is likely to clear waivers again.

The Dodgers reinstated Stewart (shoulder) from the injured list Wednesday.

Stewart landed on the injured list at the end of July due to shoulder tendinitis, and he's now been cleared to rejoin the Dodgers' bullpen without playing in any rehab games. The 34-year-old lefty has given up just four earned runs in 14.2 innings this season, and he could be a candidate to pick up an occasional save while Edwin Diaz (neck) is on the injured list.

The Rockies reinstated Hill (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Right shoulder tendinitis has kept Hill out of action since late June, but he's now been cleared to return after spending nearly two months on the shelf. The 26-year-old posted a 5.06 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 26.2 innings before getting hurt, but Colorado's lack of bullpen depth could allow him to work in high-leverage situations, as he already has two saves and 11 holds on the season. TJ Shook was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move.