MLB Player News

The Brewers transferred Mejia (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Since Mejia's IL stint is retroactive to Aug. 14, his 2023 season is effectively over. The 27-year-old right-hander recently headed to the Brewers' facility in Arizona to begin his rehab program, but Milwaukee apparently wasn't convinced that Mejia was going to be a realistic option for the bullpen down the stretch. By shifting Mejia to the 60-day IL, the Brewers were able to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for third baseman/designated hitter Josh Donaldson, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Nashville.

The Phillies recalled Marte from Triple-A Lehigh Valley ahead of the second game of Monday's doubleheader with Atlanta, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He'll rejoin Philadelphia as a replacement in the bullpen for Andrew Bellatti, who was optioned to Triple-A after working 1.2 innings in the Phillies' 10-8 extra-inning loss in Game 1. Over 36 appearances with Philadelphia this season, Marte has accrued a 5.14 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB across 35 innings.

The Phillies optioned Bellatti to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following their 10-8 extra-inning loss to Atlanta in the first game of Monday's doubleheader, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Ahead of the second game of the twin bill, the Phillies will bring aboard Yunior Marte from Triple-A to replace Bellatti in the bullpen. Bellatti tossed 1.2 innings and 21 pitches in relief of starter Taijuan Walker in Game 1, giving up two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one.

Iglesias earned his 29th save with a scoreless ninth inning during Sunday's 5-2 win against the Pirates. He allowed one hit and did not strike out or walk any batters.

The veteran right-hander has converted his last 20 save opportunities dating back to June 20, and he has a 2.10 ERA and 37:9 K:BB across 30 innings during that span. Overall Iglesias ranks 11th in the league in saves despite missing the first month of the season with a shoulder strain, and he's blown only two chances all year.

The Padres plan to call up Hernandez from Triple-A El Paso on Monday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Hernandez will reach the majors for the first time at the age of 28. The right-handed reliever has posted a 3.60 ERA and 81:20 K:BB over 60 innings this season between El Paso and Double-A San Antonio.

Rodriguez (shoulder) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis on Aug. 31 and has struck out five while giving up one unearned run on two hits and one walk in 3.2 innings across his first four appearances.

A Rule 5 selection over the winter, Rodriguez has spent the entire 2023 campaign on the Cardinals' injured list due to shoulder tightness that eventually required surgery May 3. Though Rodriguez's procedure was initially believed to be season-ending, he made excellent progress in his recovery and resumed throwing off a mound in late July before getting cleared for game action a month later. With the 33-year-old off to a strong start to his rehab assignment, he looks like he could get a chance to join the St. Louis bullpen before season's end and potentially stake a claim to a roster spot heading into 2024.

Pepiot is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Padres at Dodger Stadium.

Pepiot had been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City immediately after each of his first three appearances with the Dodgers this season, but he'll likely be in store for a more permanent stay in the rotation after striking out three over seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball in his start this past Thursday versus Miami. Though Thursday's outing was his best yet this season, Pepiot has been impressive on the whole over his four appearances with the Dodgers, going 2-0 with an 0.86 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 17:2 K:BB in 21 innings. Given the sterling ratios he's provided to date along with the fact that he'll be supported by a potent Dodgers offense, Pepiot makes for a worthy pickup in most formats now that he should be in store for a regular spot in the rotation.

Manaea is listed as the Giants' starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Guardians at Oracle Park.

He'll pick up his seventh start of the season and first since May 10, but Manaea has been making extended relief appearances for a while now, having covered between 2.2 and four innings in each of his last six outings. Assuming the Giants stick with the plan to use his as a starter rather than a bulk reliever, Manaea could still struggle to hit the five innings he would need to qualify for a win Tuesday. The Giants have Jakob Junis and Alex Wood on hand to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen if needed, and manager Gabe Kapler may prefer to use Manaea in tandem with one or both of Junis and Wood rather than leaning on the 31-year-old lefty in a traditional starting role.

Ward (shoulder) struck out three while allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk over five innings in his most recent rehab start Friday for Double-A Harrisburg.

Ward, who has been on the shelf since July 3 with right shoulder inflammation, was making the sixth appearance of his rehab assignment overall and his second straight at Harrisburg. He's now covered exactly five innings in his last two outings and built up to 79 pitches (51 strikes) in Friday's start. Though all 22 of his appearances with Washington this season have come as a reliever, Ward looks on track to get a look as a starter once he returns from the 15-day injured list. The Nationals currently have an opening in the rotation Wednesday at Pittsburgh, and Ward could be a candidate to either start that game or work as a bulk reliever behind an opener.

Atlanta optioned Heller to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.

Heller's latest stint with Atlanta lasted just three days, with the veteran right-hander making two relief appearances and tossing 2.1 scoreless frames. Atlanta recalled left-hander Dylan Dodd from Triple-A to make a spot start Saturday versus the Pirates, but Dodd returned to Gwinnett a day later.