MLB Player News

Morris was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old has been good out of Atlanta's bullpen this season, posting a 1.23 ERA with nine strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work. Nonetheless, he wound up being the roster casualty when a spot was needed for Tuesday's starter Lucas Sims. Morris very well could be back in the big leagues soon if he continues to pitch like he did in July.

Sims was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday.

As planned, Sims will head up to the majors to make his MLB debut against the Dodgers. He'll face off with Los Angeles starter Kenta Maeda in the series opener.

Paredes was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old left-hander did everything the Dodgers asked him to do during his brief cup of coffee with LA, as he made two scoreless appearances and struck out one hitter. Nonetheless, with southpaw Tony Watson arriving via trade, there simply wasn't room on the active roster for the journeyman. Paredes will head back to the minors to act as an organizational piece, but he'll likely be back when rosters expand in September given his strong Dodgers debut.

Ortiz (illness) has been cleared to start Tuesday for Double-A Biloxi.

Ortiz had been running a fever over the weekend, which prompted Biloxi to scratch him from his scheduled turn Sunday. After a couple days off to recover, it sounds like the right-hander is feeling healthy again, so the illness isn't something that should hinder him the rest of the way. Ortiz has compiled a 3.57 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 72:31 K:BB over 80.2 innings in the Southern League this season.

Pivetta (4-6) tossed six innings of one-run ball in Monday's win over the Braves, allowing three hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

Pivetta was sharp in this one, throwing 69 percent of his pitches for strikes while delivering his first quality start in the last five tries. He allowed an RBI groundout following a triple in the fifth, but the rookie was able to escape that inning before completing the sixth as well. Pivetta had allowed 17 earned runs over his previous 16.1 innings, so this was a nice way to bounce back as the calendar flips to August. He still owns a bloated 5.42 ERA, but he's flashed promising ability at times; however, owners aren't going to want to roll him out when he makes his next start at Coors Field against the Rockies on Saturday.

Neris allowed a run on one hit and one walk in an inning of work to earn his 10th save of the season Monday against the Braves.

Neris hit one batter and walked the next with one out before Nick Markakis lined an RBI single to right. He then buckled down to get Kurt Suzuki, however, nailing down the save -- his first since July 18 -- after racking up wins in each of his previous two appearances. Neris had allowed just one earned run in his previous nine outings and owns a solid 3.12 ERA on the season, though it's been a bit of a rocky run.

Hand was not dealt prior to Monday's non-waiver trade deadline.

The Padres ended up hanging on to their dominant lefty after not receiving the return they hoped for in the trade market. This news means that Hand and his sparkling 2.00 ERA will continue to close games out in San Diego for the remainder of the season. While a trade through waivers is still possible, it's highly unlikely, given the fact that other clubs would surely place claims on the 27-year-old and his affordable contract ($1.4 million plus two years of control), which would effectively block any potential move.

Cordero was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Monday, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

Cordero was ousted from the 40-man roster to clear room for Brandon Kintzler, who was acquired from the Twins on Monday. The 25-year-old struggled to a 6.54 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 42.2 innings with Double-A Harrisburg this season, so there's a good chance he'll slip through waivers untouched and return to Double-A.

Sims will be called up to start Tuesday against the Dodgers, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Aaron Blair flopped in his brief audition following Jaime Garcia's departure, and now it's Sims' turn to get a look. A first-round pick in 2012 (21st overall), he endured some growing pains during his rise up the ladder, but Sims has posted a 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 132:36 K:BB in 115.1 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett this season. Home runs have been a problem (19 allowed this year), and he will face a tough test in his major-league debut, but Sims is worth a speculative add right away in most NL-only and deep mixed leagues.

Estevez was returned to Triple-A Albuquerque following Sunday's doubleheader with the Nationals.

The Rockies brought Estevez in from the minor-league ranks to serve as their 26th man in the twin bill, but the right-handed bullpen arm ended up going unused. He'll continue serving as organizational relief depth now that he's back in Triple-A, where he's provided solid work this season, turning in a 1.78 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 25.1 innings.