MLB Player News

The Astros optioned King to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

This looks like merely a numbers game and King having minor-league options available, as his 2.05 ERA and 27:9 K:BB over 22 innings doesn't point to a guy deserving of a demotion. King should be back in the Houston bullpen soon enough.

The Astros activated Pressly (back) from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pressly missed just the minimum 15 days while recovering from a lower-back strain. He did not go out on a rehab assignment, but manager Joe Espada is unlikely to shy away from using Pressly in high-leverage spots right away.

The Astros designated Junk for assignment Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Jason Heyward. Junk was claimed off waivers earlier this month by the Astros and is now slated to go through the waiver process again.

Joyce struck out two and allowed one hit over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the save in Thursday's 3-0 win against the Tigers.

Joyce entered with two outs in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded and proceeded to strikeout Spencer Torkelson. Joyce then pitched a clean ninth inning to pick up his third save and second straight save of four or more outs. The 23-year-old gave up five runs in his first three appearances this season but has since been dominant, allowing three runs in his last 25 appearances.

The Mets placed Nunez on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to right forearm tightness, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Nunez just returned from a forearm issue last Friday and is now headed back to the IL following a recurrence of the injury. He missed nearly a month of action the first time around, but it's not clear how long this stint might last. It's a blow to the Mets' bullpen, as Nunez has been excellent this season with a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB over 35 frames.

The Phillies recalled Marte from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Marte will provide the Phillies with a fresh relief arm. The right-hander holds a 7.13 ERA and 23:14 K:BB over 24 innings this season, although the bloated ERA is mostly the result of one poor outing when he allowed seven runs and recorded just two outs Aug. 10.

The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Mercado was brought up from the minors on Monday, and he'll now head back to Triple-A after giving up four earned runs in only 1.1 innings during his outing against the Astros on Wednesday. Yunior Marte was recalled from Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.

Milner (shoulder) expects to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Friday, MLB.com reports.

He would then make another appearance Sunday and could be activated after that. Milner has been sidelined since mid-August due to a left shoulder impingement.

Nunez (forearm) played catch Thursday, but his availability remains unclear, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nunez wasn't available for Wednesday's game in Arizona due to right forearm tightness, which is the same injury he just recently returned from. He could be headed back to the injured list, but the Mets also didn't rule out the possibility that he's available to pitch as soon as Thursday. It's a wide range of outcomes for one of the team's best relievers this season.

The Reds selected Leibrandt's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Leibrandt has spent all season in Triple-A, where he owns a 4.46 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 76.2 innings across 16 starts. The 31-year-old southpaw will likely work out of the bullpen as he returns to the majors for the first time since 2020, replacing Casey Kelly.