MLB Player News

Hader gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 31st save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Rockies.

The southpaw failed to strike out any batters at all over three appearances and 2.1 innings against Colorado in this series, but he still came away with two saves and a win. Hader still hit 97.6 mph with his final pitch Wednesday as he got Brendan Rodgers to fly out, so those with fantasy shares in the San Diego closer would seem to have little cause for alarm. On the season, Hader carries a 1.21 ERA and 79:28 K:BB through 52 innings.

Major League Baseball suspended Mejia (shoulder) for 162 games Wednesday following a positive test for Stanozolol, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Mejia was caught using the very same anabolic steroid last season and received an 80-game ban. The 27-year-old right-hander owns a rough 8.32 ERA in 66 career major-league innings and won't be eligible to return to a big-league mound until the tail end of the 2024 campaign. He appeared in nine games for the Brewers this year before being shut down in mid-August due to shoulder inflammation.

Hudson (knee) tossed a live bullpen session Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

This is a significant step forward for Hudson, whose previous throwing session was from the slope (not the rubber) of the bullpen mound. The veteran reliever has pitched in just three games this season, with his latest appearance with Los Angeles taking place July 5. It remains unlikely that Hudson will be able to return by the end of the campaign, though it's possible he could be an option if the Dodgers go deep into the postseason.

Milwaukee recalled Bukauskas from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Bukauskas has allowed two runs -- one earned -- in just three innings of work this season at the MLB level, but he'll give the Brewers a fresh bullpen arm after they lost Elvis Peguero (elbow) to the 15-day IL in a corresponding move.

Peguero was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Sept. 17, with a right elbow effusion, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

It's unclear when the injury first surfaced for Peguero, but he hasn't pitched since he delivered 1.1 scoreless frames Saturday against Washington. The right-hander will miss the rest of the regular season but will be eligible to return in the playoffs, which the Brewers are undoubtedly hoping for given his 3.38 ERA and 21 holds in 59 outings this year.

Gonzalez was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Wednesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for the official arrival of Matt Moore, who was claimed off waivers from the Guardians on Tuesday. Gonzalez, now twice DFA'd by Miami, has allowed three earned runs on seven hits and one walk over just 3.2 major-league innings this season.

Hill underwent surgery Wednesday to repair ligaments and clean up scar tissue in his left ring finger, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hill's season is officially over, but the left-hander will begin a throwing program in 6-to-8 weeks and is expected to be ready to roll for spring training. The reliever's performance took a step back in 2023, as he held a 5.48 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 26:14 K:BB over 44.1 innings. It's possible the finger issue might have been at least partly to blame for his struggles.

Hjelle was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Hjelle has had a rough 2023, posting an 8.59 ERA with the Giants and a 6.03 mark with Sacramento. He can give them some length out of the bullpen, though, which is needed.

The Padres list Martinez as their probable starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Cardinals at Petco Park.

San Diego hasn't formally clarified its pitching plans for Saturday, but Martinez will likely be deployed in tandem with Pedro Avila after that pairing worked successfully this past Sunday in Oakland. In the Padres' 10-1 win over the Athletics, Martinez opened the game with five strikeouts over three scoreless, one-hit frames, while Avila followed with the exact same pitching line. Martinez could add an inning or two to his workload Saturday, though Avila would probably be the pitcher most likely to pick up a win if he ends up being available in bulk relief.

Assad (4-3) picked up the win in Tuesday's 14-1 rout of the Pirates, allowing one run on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight.

A Ke'Bryan Hayes solo shot in the third inning was the only blemish on Assad's line as the 26-year-old righty set a new career high for strikeouts in a game. Since getting fully stretched out and locking down a spot in the Cubs rotation in mid-August, Assad sports a 2.68 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 36:14 K:BB through 47 innings. He'll likely next take the mound this weekend at home against the Rockies.