MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Salazar from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday.

Washington claimed Salazar off waivers from Seattle on June 13 and will now give him an opportunity with the big-league club a month later. The righty reliever has posted an excellent 0.84 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB over 10.2 frames with Rochester since joining the Nationals organization. Pitcher Jackson Rutledge was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Rockies recalled Chivilli from Double-A Hartford on Saturday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Chivilli got his first major-league opportunity in June but struggled to an 8.44 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 5.1 innings. He served up three long balls and struck out only two batters, though he didn't walk anybody. Chivilli has enjoyed success at Double-A this season with a 2.49 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB across 25.1 frames. He'll likely serve in a low-leverage bullpen role while with the big club.

Cincinnati selected Santillan's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

The Reds placed starter Carson Spiers (shoulder) on the injured list Saturday and called up Santillan to take Spiers' roster spot, opting to add a reliever with the All-Star break looming. Santillan has logged a 3.38 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 53:24 K:BB over 40.0 innings in the minors this season. He got into three games with the Reds last year, allowing one run on four hits while posting a 5:1 K:BB over 3.1 frames. He'll like serve in a low-leverage role while with the big-league club.

Smith underwent Tommy John ligament construction surgery Friday, which included an internal brace procedure, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Per DiComo, the procedure was a "full-blown Tommy John ligament reconstruction," which means Smith will likely be sidelined for 12-to-18 months. With that in mind, the reliever -- who previously underwent Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2019 -- will likely miss at least half of next season and may not pitch again until 2026. He's slated to be a free agent in November.

The Cubs recalled Roberts from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

With Luke Little (shoulder) headed for the injured list, Roberts will return to the majors in order to fill the open spot in Chicago's bullpen. The 27-year-old hasn't surrendered an earned run in 19 total innings this season -- four of which came during a prior stint in the big leagues.

The Cubs placed Little on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left shoulder strain, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Little had to leave his appearance Friday after just four pitches due to reported soreness in his shoulder, and imaging revealed a strain that will cause him to land on the IL. Ethan Roberts was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move in order to replenish Chicago's bullpen depth.

The Cardinals added Leahy to their active roster for Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Leahy owns a 4.13 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 28.1 innings in the majors this season, and he'll now return to St. Louis in order to add extra depth to the bullpen for Saturday's twin bill. He'll likely be returned to Triple-A Memphis after the conclusion of the second game.

Bednar struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 17th save of the season in a 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Activated from the IL earlier in the day after recovering from an oblique strain that cost him nearly a month of action, Bednar fired nine of 12 pitches for strikes while topping out at 97.1 mph with his fastball. Aroldis Chapman had a 4.70 ERA over 7.2 innings in Bednar's absence while converting three of four save chances, and he should return to setup duties now that Bednar is healthy.

Diaz walked two and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 10th save of the season in a 7-6 win over the Rockies.

It didn't look like Diaz's services would be needed when the Mets built a 7-2 lead through five frames, but a late collapse by the rest of the bullpen forced the right-hander into action. Diaz has maintained a pristine 0.00 ERA since coming off the IL in mid-June, converting five of six save chances with a 0.90 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB through 6.2 innings.

Neris earned the save in Friday's 5-1 victory over the Cardinals, pitching two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout and one walk.

After rookie Hunter Bigge failed to close out St. Louis with a five-run lead in the ninth, Neris entered with one out and two runners on. He induced a Brendan Donovan lineout before loading the bases with a walk to Nolan Arenado. He then fanned Lars Nootbaar to wrap up the game. Since blowing a save June 17 against San Francisco, Neris has now thrown seven consecutive scoreless outings, collecting three saves and producing 11:3 K:BB over 6.1 innings.