MLB Player News

Atlanta recalled Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

In a somewhat surprising move, Atlanta DFA'd veteran reliver Craig Kimbrel -- who had just been called up Friday -- in order to make room on the roster for Cox. The latter signed with Atlanta in early May after beginning the campaign in Kansas City's system. Cox hasn't pitched in the majors since 2023, and in eight games with Gwinnett after joining Atlanta's organization, he posted a 4.22 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB over 10.2 innings. He's likely to fill a low-leverage role in Atlanta's bullpen.

Atlanta designated Kimbrel for assignment Saturday.

Kimbrel was called up from the minors Friday for a return to the big-league club that drafted him in 2008, but the reunion may end up being short-lived. The veteran reliever looked fine in pitching a scoreless inning against the Giants on Friday, though he allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one batter and averaging only 91.5 mph on his fastball. Atlanta filled Kimbrel's bullpen spot by recalling lefty reliever Austin Cox from the minors.

The Phillies optioned Rangel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Rangel had just been called up from the minors Friday, and he gave the Phillies three innings of work against Pittsburgh that night, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter. The righty reliever's return to Triple-A makes room for Philadelphia to call up a fresh bullpen arm from the minors in Daniel Robert.

Philadelphia recalled Robert from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Robert previously had a stint with the Phillies this season, allowing one run on two hits with a 2:3 K:BB over two-thirds of an inning in mid-May after being acquired in a trade with the Rangers on May 1. He's posted a 0.95 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with a 26:5 K:BB across 19 innings during his time in Triple-A and will get another shot to make an impression as part of the Phillies' bullpen. Fellow righty reliever Alan Rangel was optioned to Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

The Cardinals optioned O'Brien to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

O'Brien was up as the 27th man during Thursday's doubleheader against the Royals, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings in the first game of the twin bill. The 30-year-old has thrived at Memphis this season with a 2.79 ERA and 32:8 K:BB in 19.1 frames and should get another opportunity with the big club sooner rather than later.

Bergert is slated to start Sunday's game against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Bergert will get at least one more turn through the San Diego rotation after he was summoned from Triple-A El Paso to make his first MLB start Tuesday. He acquitted himself well in a no-decision against the Giants, allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over five innings. Bergert will get a favorable draw in his second start of the week, facing a Milwaukee offense that has produced a 93 wRC+ against right-handed pitching since the start of May.

Nelson is slated to start Saturday's game against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Nelson will pick up his fourth start of the season Saturday and could have an opportunity to stick around in the rotation for the remainder of 2025 with Corbin Burnes (elbow) set to undergo Tommy John surgery next week. Since being lit up by the Cubs for five earned runs while recording just two outs in an April 18 game, Nelson has pitched to a 1.72 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB in 31.1 innings.

Johnson (1-2) took the loss Friday against the Giants, allowing an unearned run on one hit over one inning.

After Dylan Lee recorded the first two outs in the ninth inning with the score tied 4-4, Johnson entered the game and gave up a single to Tyler Fitzgerald but promptly picked him off at first base. The right-hander wasn't so fortunate in the 10th, however -- with Fitzgerald at second as the phantom runner, Johnson watched him advance to third on a one-out groundout, and then bounced a curveball well wide of the plate that Sean Murphy couldn't corral to bring home the winning run. Raisel Iglesias appears to be on very thin ice as Atlanta's closer, but performances like this don't make a compelling case for Johnson to replace him. Over his last seven appearances, Johnson has a 6.00 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 6:2 K:BB in six innings with two losses and a blown save.

Finnegan struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 18th save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Rangers.

He had to navigate around a CJ Abrams throwing error, but Finnegan was up to the task. The right-hander is tied with Carlos Estevez for second in the league in saves behind Robert Suarez's 20, and Finnegan has been especially sharp since the beginning of May, posting a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB over his last 11 innings while converting nine of his 10 saves chances.

Bednar (1-4) picked up the win Friday, striking out the side in the ninth inning of a 5-4 victory over the Phillies.

With the score tied 4-4 in the top of the ninth, Bednar carved up the Phillies' 8-9-1 hitters on 14 pitches (10 strikes), including an impressive three-pitch whiff of the red-hot Trea Turner to end the frame. The Bucs then pushed a run home to walk it off and get their closer his first win of the year. The right-hander appears to be back in top form and rewarding the organization's faith in him after a rough 2024 and early-season demotion in 2025 -- since rejoining the big-league roster in mid-April, Bednar has a 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 29:3 K:BB through 19.2 innings while converting all six of his save chances.