MLB Player News

The Pirates optioned Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

He'll cede his spot in the bullpen to right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move and will provide the Pirates with a multi-inning option in relief. Nicolas made three appearances after his June 3 promotion, giving up one earned run on three hits and one walk over 4.1 innings.

Casparius will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game against the Padres, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

Casparius is stretched out enough to provide multiple innings if that's the route manager Dave Roberts wants to take, but Justin Wrobleski is expected to absorb the bulk of the innings Wednesday once he enters the game out of the bullpen. The right-handed Casparius has been excellent for Los Angeles this season, collecting a 2.93 ERA and 44:7 K:BB over 40 innings.

Bender worked a scoreless seventh inning without a walk or a strikeout to record his eighth hold of the season in Tuesday's win over the Pirates.

The right-hander entered the game to protect a 3-0 lead and needed only nine pitches (seven strikes) to dispatch Pittsburgh's 5-6-7 hitters. Bender has a career-low 20.0 percent strikeout rate through 27.1 innings this season and a 10.0 percent walk rate that's just a tick below the career-worst 10.3 percent mark he posted in 2022, but he's generating enough weak contact to make it work, posting a 1.98 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. He hasn't recorded a save since April 1, however, and seems stuck in a setup role ahead of current top closing option Calvin Faucher.

The Phillies designated Hernandez for assignment Wednesday.

Hernandez doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so the Phillies had to remove him from their 40-man roster to clear a spot for right-hander Michael Mercado, who was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. After being claimed off waivers from the Royals in the spring, Hernandez had operated as a low-leverage reliever for Philadelphia this season, logging a 5.26 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 23:13 K:BB in 25.2 innings. Any team willing to trade for or put in a waiver claim for the right-hander will have to assume the money remaining on his $1.16 million contract for 2025.

The Phillies recalled Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Mercado will get his first call-up of the season after he previously made five appearances (two starts) for Philadelphia in 2024. After serving as a swingman between his stops in the minors and majors last season, Mercado has worked exclusively as a reliever for Lehigh Valley in 2025. Over his 17 appearances covering 20.1 innings, Mercado notched a 5.31 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB. He's likely to fill a lower-leverage role out of the Phillies bullpen.

Leahy has posted a 6.52 ERA and 6:5 K:BB over 9.2 innings covering his last nine appearances.

Leahy still holds a 2.48 ERA for the season thanks to his great start, but a 3.73 FIP and 27:12 K:BB across 36.1 innings paint a less flattering picture. The 28-year-old collected 12 holds through his first 23 appearances but has zero across his last six outings.

Faucher gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his fifth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Pirates.

The right-hander leads the Marlins in saves, one ahead of Jesus Tinoco (forearm), and it's been over two weeks since a Miami reliever other than Faucher picked up a save -- Ronny Henriquez collected one May 25. Faucher's earned his spot with some stingy work that has seen him get scored upon only once in his last eight appearances, a stretch in which he's posted a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB in 7.2 innings.

Doval picked up his 10th save in Tuesday's 6-5 victory over the Rockies. He allowed two hits and one walk with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning.

Doval had a shaky outing but managed to close out the Rockies after the Giants took a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning. Since surrendering two runs and blowing a save against the Padres on June 5, the right-hander has turned in four straight scoreless appearances, including three saves. While control has occasionally been an issue, the flamethrower has been outstanding overall in 2025, pitching to a 1.45 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 31 innings.

Agnos (0-3) took the loss in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Giants. He allowed four runs on one hit and three walks with no strikeouts over one-third of an inning.

Agnos entered the ninth inning with a four-run lead but quickly ran into trouble, surrendering a solo homer to Casey Schmitt and then walking the bases loaded with one out. He was then replaced by Victor Vodnik, who allowed all three inherited runners to score. Agnos entered Tuesday with a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, but those marks ballooned to 4.43 and 1.23, respectively, over 20.1 innings this season following the disastrous outing.

Vodnik blew the save Tuesday against the Giants. He allowed three inherited runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning.

The right-hander was charged with a blown save, though he put in a tough position after Zach Agnos' disastrous one-third of an inning. Entering with the bases loaded, Vodnik allowed all three inherited runners to score on a sacrifice fly and two singles. The 25-year-old has delivered a strong 2025 campaign despite a stint on the shelf with a shoulder injury, recording a 2.25 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 16 innings.