MLB Player News

The Rays selected Ramirez's contract from Triple-A Durham on Monday.

Ramirez will begin his second stint with the Rays of the season, as he was previously called up from Triple-A on April 20 and produced a 4.50 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 16 innings before being cast off the 40-man roster about a month later. The Rays optioned lefty Jacob Lopez to Triple-A in a corresponding move to clear a spot on the active roster for Ramirez, who will likely fill a multi-inning role out of the bullpen.

The Phillies recalled Lazar from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Philadelphia optioned Lazar to Triple-A on Saturday, but he'll be eligible to rejoin the big club two days later since outfielder Weston Wilson (personal) was placed on the paternity list in the a corresponding move. Lazar will likely serve as a low-leverage reliever while he's up with the Phillies.

Alexander (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Saturday and could face live hitters at some point this week, the Associated Press reports.

This is the first report of Alexander picking up a ball since going on the IL on Tuesday with left rotator cuff tendinitis. The veteran southpaw appears to be making timely progress overall, and if he does indeed face hitters this week without setbacks, he could potentially return when eligible without the need for a rehab assignment.

Smith (4-1) took the loss Sunday versus the Astros, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out two over one inning.

Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz went back-to-back on consecutive pitches in the seventh inning, and the Orioles weren't able to bounce back, leaving Smith with his first loss of the year. Smith was pretty effective after initially joining the Orioles in mid-July, but he's now been on the hook for multiple runs in three of his last four appearances. Since Aug. 10, he's allowed 10 runs (nine earned), including five home runs, over seven innings. Smith is now at a 4.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 41:11 K:BB overall 48.1 innings between Baltimore and Miami this year.

The Padres optioned Bachar to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

The 29-year-old right-handed reliever received his first MLB call-up Sunday but didn't get the chance to make his Padres debut in the club's 3-2 win over the Mets before being sent back to Triple-A a day later. The Padres recalled right-hander Randy Vasquez from Triple-A in a corresponding move, and he'll start Monday's series opener in St. Louis.

Chapman (5-4) allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win Sunday against the Reds.

Chapman entered the game with the Pirates down a run and continued his dominant stretch. Since the All-Star break, he has allowed only one earned run across 15 innings while maintaining a 25:3 K:BB. David Bednar continues to serve as Pittsburgh's closer but has been very shaky, so Chapman may see a handful of save opportunities before the season concludes.

Barnes (8-2) blew the save but picked up the win Sunday over Atlanta, allowing a solo home run in the sixth inning.

The journeyman right-hander had never won more than three games coming into 2024, but Barnes was in the right place at the right time once again Sunday. He coughed up a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth on a Matt Olson blast, but the Nationals immediately reclaimed the lead in the top of the seventh and never looked back. Since the All-Star break, Barnes has gone 3-0 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.02 WHIP an d 19:4 K:BB in 19.2 innings.

Pressly (back) threw another bullpen session Saturday and is expected to return from the injured list when first eligible, MLB.com reports.

Saturday's activity marked Pressly's second bullpen session since being placed on the injured list. Manager Joe Espada also noted that Pressly won't need a rehab assignment, putting him in line to return Aug. 29.

The Royals recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

He'll absorb the roster spot vacated by Will Smith (back), who was placed on the injured list. Hernandez has permitted eight runs (six earned) with a 14:9 K:BB over 15.2 frames this season during his time with the big club.

The Royals placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Monday with low-back spasms.

Smith had been bludgeoned for 14 runs over 4.2 innings cover his last five appearances. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined. Carlos Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take Smith's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen.