MLB Player News

Atlanta optioned Hernandez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Hernandez will be pushed out of Atlanta's bullpen as a result of Jimmy Herget's (shoulder) return from the injured list Saturday. Hernandez allowed his first earned run of the season during Friday's loss the Mets, giving him a 0.82 ERA through 11 major-league innings.

Atlanta reinstated Herget (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

Right shoulder inflammation has kept Herget on the shelf since June 8, but he's now been cleared to return to Atlanta's bullpen after pitching a scoreless inning in the Florida Complex League. The 30-year-old has allowed three earned runs in 7.1 innings in the majors this season and should work in middle relief while in Atlanta. Daysbel Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Ortiz allowed three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks.

This ended Ortiz's stretch of five straight outings -- including four starts -- without allowing more than one run. The right-hander faded in the sixth inning, allowing a solo home run to Joc Pederson and walking Christian Walker before Carmen Mlodzinski completed the Pirates' collapse. Ortiz is now at a 2.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 63:24 K:BB over 78.2 innings through 27 appearances (five starts) this season. His next outing is projected to come at Houston.

Sewald allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Pirates.

Sewald allowed two runs in a non-save situation Wednesday versus the Royals, but he bounced back Friday to protect a one-run lead. This was his sixth scoreless outing in July, but his other four appearances this month each saw him yield multiple runs. The closer is 16-for-19 in save chances with a 3.55 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB through 25.1 innings this season.

Lopez tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's 6-0 loss to the Royals, lowering his ERA to 2.92.

Lopez has turned the page on a poor 2023 campaign in which he recorded a 5.95 ERA for the Orioles, Marlins and Twins. The veteran righty has been much better this year, particularly since joining the Cubs in June. Over 10.2 innings with his new team, Lopez has allowed just one run and struck out seven.

Martinez (4-5) allowed one hit over two scoreless innings to earn the victory Friday against the Rays. He struck out two.

Martinez entered a tie game in the eighth inning and shut down the Rays until the Reds took the lead in the top of the 10th. He has two wins in his last four appearances, and all four of his wins this season have come in relief after he began the year in the rotation. The 33-year-old has a 3.77 ERA in 74 innings in a swingman role for the Reds this season.

Diaz picked up the save Friday against the Rays, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Diaz got his first save situation since July 3 and worked around an inherited runner to convert it successfully. He became the 12th reliever with 20 saves this season, and he has now converted 13 straight opportunities. The 27-year-old has pitched to a 4.34 ERA through 37.1 innings this season.

Suarez (5-1) blew a save but was credited with the win Friday over Baltimore, allowing one hit while striking out a pair over 1.2 scoreless innings.

San Diego turned to Suarez in the eighth inning after Baltimore got the tying run to third base with one out. The 33-year-old right-hander allowed the run to score on a sacrifice fly, sticking him with his third blown save of the year. However, the Padres would rally to re-take the lead in the top of the ninth before Suarez finished things out to seal the victory. He hasn't allowed an earned run in 11 of his last 12 outings, lowering his ERA to a stellar 1.51 with a 0.86 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB while converting 23 saves over 41.2 innings this year.

The Mets acquired Stanek from the Mariners on Friday in exchange for outfielder Rhylan Thomas, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Stanek has struggled in his eight outings in July, allowing five runs on five hits and six walks and striking out eight over 5.2 innings while registering two blown saves and a loss. However, he's been a solid performer on the while this season while occupying a key late-inning role for Seattle, turning in a 4.38 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 15 holds and seven saves across 39 innings. The 33-year-old right-hander will likely work in a setup or middle-relief role in front of closer Edwin Diaz.

Walston (elbow) threw live batting practice Friday, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Walston touched 94 mph during the session, an encouraging sign considering he hovered between 91 and 92 mph during his three appearances this season. The 23-year-old southpaw is expected to be activated from the injured list sometime in August, but manager Torey Lovullo indicated Friday that the team was still determining whether he'll be an option for the big-league rotation down the stretch.