MLB Player News

The Dodgers activated Diaz (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Diaz has been on the shelf since April 20 after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. He was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment right before the All-Star break, and across seven minor-league games he allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 5.2 innings. The Dodgers should ease Diaz back into the fold, but if all goes well, the veteran right-hander could reclaim the closer role from Tanner Scott in the near future.

Keller underwent right elbow UCL reconstruction surgery with internal brace and flexor tendon repair Tuesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Keller was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow just after the All-Star break and has now officially gone under the knife. He's expected to be sidelined 13-to-16 months from Tuesday's surgery, so the earliest that he could return to action will be late in the 2027 season, though it's more likely that he'll be aiming toward being fully healthy for the start of the 2028 campaign. Keller will finish the 2026 regular season with a 4.02 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 13 holds, three saves and a 32:13 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

Barco could be used as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Yohan Ramirez in Thursday's game in Cincinnati, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

The Pirates recalled Barco from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, but he went unused in relief during the team's 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks. With Ramirez likely to be limited to one or two innings Thursday in his first big-league start, Barco will be the freshest arm in the Pittsburgh bullpen and is one of the few options who's capable of covering multiple frames. Barco has handled a swingman role at Triple-A for most of the season, posting a 4.87 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 49:23 K:BB in 44.1 innings.

Treinen (elbow) will face live hitters Wednesday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Treinen landed on the injured list in late June due to right elbow inflammation, but the good news was that an MRI did not show signs of structural damage. He was cleared to play catch before the All-Star break and is ready to take the next step in his rehab by throwing off a mound. The Dodgers should have a better sense of Treinen's recovery timeline once the veteran right-hander is cleared to embark on a rehab assignment.

The Cubs selected Woodford's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

Woodford elected to enter free agency July 17 after being DFA'd by the Cubs six days earlier, but he opted to remain in the organization on a minor-league contract. He's now back with the big club, with the Cubs designating Andrew Wantz for assignment in a corresponding move. Woodford has appeared in 17 games between the Cubs and Brewers this season and has a 7.46 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 23:7 K:BB across 25.1 innings.

Fairbanks recorded his 15th save Wednesday against the Phillies, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Fairbanks entered the ninth with a two-run lead and retired the side in order on 13 pitches (10 strikes) to secure his 15th save of the season. The veteran closer has now converted saves in consecutive appearances and has recorded at least one strikeout in nine of his last 10 outings. Despite the swing-and-miss upside he's shown, Fairbanks has allowed eight runs (seven earned) across 9.1 innings during that 10-appearance stretch and still has an ugly 6.96 ERA over 36 appearances this year.

The Nationals optioned Schultz to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

The move comes after the Nationals' 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday, when Schultz gave up three earned runs on four hits while striking out one batter in two-thirds of an inning. The 28-year-old right-hander will return to Rochester, where he has a 2.30 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 15.2 innings.

Ramirez will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Reds, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Thursday will mark the first start of Ramirez's seven-year MLB career. He'll likely pitch one or two innings before turning the game over to Hunter Barco, who is expected to work in bulk relief, per Demilio. Ramirez has submitted a 3.21 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 62:33 K:BB across 56 innings this season.

The Reds optioned Franco (elbow) to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Franco will report back to Triple-A after he served as the Reds' 27th man for Wednesady's doubleheader with the Guardians. He was active for Game 2 of the twin bill and worked in bulk relief in the Reds' 2-0 victory, earning his first big-league win while striking out two and allowing one hit and two walks over 3.2 scoreless frames before exiting in the seventh inning due to right elbow discomfort. He'll likely undergo further testing before the Reds have a better idea regarding the extent of his injury, but Franco could be at risk of landing on the injured list if he isn't ready to go for his next turn through the rotation.

Assad will start Thursday's game in St. Louis, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Shota Imanaga had been listed as the starter for Thursday's series finale, but he and the other Cubs starters will be pushed back in order to bake in some extra rest. Assad went three shutout innings out of the bullpen in his last appearance Saturday in Pittsburgh, so he'll be taking the ball on four days' rest. The righty hasn't made a start in nearly three weeks, so he won't have a full workload at his disposal.